VZCZCXYZ0009
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVB #0356/01 1021502
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121502Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7528

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000356 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR OES/STC SHIRLEY HART 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KSCA TSPL SENV AMGT OTRA APER HR
SUBJECT: CROATIA REQUESTS EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS 
 
REF: STATE 30194 
 
¶1. Summary: In response to reftel, Post supports a request from the 
Government of Croatia (GoC) to host Embassy Science Fellows in 2007. 
Post has received eight proposals from seven scientific 
institutions, with a commitment from the Ministry of Science, 
Education and Sports and the University of Zagreb to provide housing 
and support for any U.S. scientists coming to Croatia under this 
program.  Two institutes located in Split have also committed to 
providing housing for their Science Fellows.  Embassy point of 
contact is Marlene M. Nice; email: nicemm@state.gov; phone: 385 1 
661 2225. (End summary). 
 
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Croatian Institute of Technology (HIT), Zagreb 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶2. Specific project: 
Upgrade the Croatian Institute of Technology's IPR services and 
improve connections between research/academia and industry. The 
Ministry of Science, Education and Sports has asked Econoff to make 
this project the priority. 
 
Background: 
The HIT was established in March 2006 under the Ministry of Science, 
Education and Sport. The HIT is the leading national institution 
charged with linking the scientific community with the economy. Its 
main mission is to support and promote commercialization of 
technological and research projects. HIT's core business activities 
are: technology transfers, development of Croatia's national 
technology platform; technology foresight; business intelligence and 
international cooperation with similar institutions worldwide. 
 
Specific Activities: 
One of the HIT's main activities is the implementation of the 
program, TEST, which supports scientific and academic institutions 
by helping to transfer knowledge and new technologies into industry. 
Part of that process includes IPR issues, i.e. legislative 
regulations of copyrights, patent rights, etc. The HIT is requesting 
an IPR expert, possibly from the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST) to work in conjunction with its IPR team to help 
HIT become a regional role model in IPR services. 
 
Timeframe: 6 to 12 weeks in either May or June 2007 or in Fall 2007 
 
Area of expertise/discipline: 
Lawyer with IPR specialization and working experience in the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or similar 
institution. 
 
Housing: The Ministry of Science, Education and Sports will provide 
housing. 
 
Office: The HIT will provide office space and other work 
requirements. 
 
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The Institute for Adriatic Crops (IAC), Split. 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶3. Specific project: 
The Institute for Adriatic Crops (IAC) requests a Science Fellow 
experienced in writing proposals, organizing programs and 
coordinating research funding cooperation with international 
organizations and businesses. The IAC is also trying to strengthen 
its ties to industry, specifically in the area of 
agriculture/horticulture to increase the number of non-governmental 
sources for funding research. 
 
Background: 
As a candidate country for the EU, Croatia is eligible to apply for 
numerous EU funds targeted at IAC's scientific, research and 
extension activities. Although IAC staff is experienced in writing 
project proposals for GoC funds, the staff has limited experience in 
preparing smaller collaborative proposals for EU grants. The 
institute deals mainly with farmers and small companies, incapable 
of funding research. With a limited amount of government money 
available, industry is still incapable of supporting research in 
those fields. 
 
The Institute for Adriatic Crops (IAC) is a public research 
institute under the Ministry of Science, Education and Sport. It is 
located on the Adriatic coast where typical Mediterranean crops are 
grown. The IAC conducts basic and applied research work in 
horticulture, food technology and forestry. It provides scientific 
and professional support to numerous farmers, cooperatives and 
enterprises as part of its extension role. The research staff from 
IAC is involved in scientific and extension projects supported 
mainly by the GoC or local communities. Recently the IAC changed its 
internal organization to strengthen relations among small and 
isolated research groups to increase collaboration among highly 
specialized experts. The research facilities were renovated, number 
and credentials of staff were increased, and effort has been 
refocused on development and improvement of the scientific 
infrastructure, mainly greenhouses, orchards and grape collections 
and laboratories. 
 
Areas of expertise/discipline: 
Experience in research, education and extension programs in the 
fields of food, agriculture and biotechnology. Scientific 
background, familiarity with horticulture and a working knowledge of 
the international industry. 
 
Timeframe: 45 Days (flexible), May to mid July or from Mid August to 
end of September. 
 
Housing and Office: The IAC will provide housing and office space in 
Split. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 
Zagreb 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶4. Specific Project: Diagnostic laboratory methods in addressing the 
challenge of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. 
 
The University Hospital for Infectious Diseases requests a Science 
Fellow to collaborate on diagnostic/research activities in the field 
of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (EID/REID). The US 
scientist will work with Croatian physicians and scientists in 
preparation of high quality diagnostic reagents for the detection of 
pathogens causing EID/REID. The Science Fellow will also help in 
establishing new diagnostic techniques for the detection of 
pathogens causing EID/REID and to train young physicians/scientists. 
The availability of high quality diagnostic reagents may be the 
greatest limiting factor to effectively addressing EID/REID, 
especially in the case of viral diseases. 
 
Background: 
Founded in 1893, the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases is 
currently the regional leader in its field. The hospital has six 
reference Centers for AIDS, urogenital and sexually transmitted 
diseases, travelers' diseases, control of antimicrobial resistance, 
diagnoses and treatment of infectious diseases, viral hepatitis. The 
hospital is currently developing a new Center for EID/REID, which 
will include the first bio-safety level three laboratory in Croatia 
for diagnosis and research of EID/REID. The laboratory will also 
provide support for a planned quarantine department. Infectious 
diseases, in light of recent EID/REID (anthrax, avian influenza, 
SARS, etc.), threats of bioterrorism and rapid global travel, have 
become an important part of global health research and policy 
development. Because of Croatia's increasing tourism industry and 
significant economic international interest in the country, health 
officials are preparing for imported cases of quarantine diseases 
such as ebola, Marburg, Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) etc., 
some of which are endemic in nearby Kosovo and Macedonia. 
 
Areas of expertise/discipline: 
Experience in basic laboratory diagnosis/research in EID/REID 
(mainly viruses, but also bacteria, parasites); experience in 
preparation of high quality diagnostic reagents EID/REID pathogens); 
participation in national and international projects in EID/REID; 
and high quality international publications in the field of 
EID/REID. The head of the hospital's Scientific Unit, Dr. Alemka 
Markotic, is requesting Thomas G. Ksiazek, chief of special 
pathogens branch at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, 
Centers for Disease Control. 
 
Additional skills: Lecturing and training 
 
Timeframe: 2 to 3 months; September to December 2007 
 
Housing: The Ministry of Science, Education and Sport will provide 
housing. 
 
Office/Work accommodations: 
The hospital will provide lunch. The Scientific Unit will be 
available for office work and meetings. Diagnostic and research 
laboratories will be available at the hospital. The hospital's main 
lecturing hall will be available for presentations and workshops. 
All necessary assistance will be provided the hospital staff. 
 
¶5. Specific Project Description: (This is the second proposal from 
the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases) Support activities 
for the implementation of collaborative research projects between 
Croatian and U.S. scientists in the area of infectious diseases. 
 
The hospital is seeking a Science Fellow who can help Croatian 
scientists in U.S. funding application preparation, submission and 
management. The Science Fellow would also help prepare drafts for 
several collaborative projects in infectious disease research. The 
Science Fellow will be introduced to the research activities at the 
hospital, develop new partnerships in the U.S as well as topics for 
future collaboration, and organize a lecture series and workshops 
focused on the application submission process. The Science Fellow 
will work with scientists at the Medical Faculty in the University 
of Rijeka and with collaborators in Dubrovnik. 
 
Areas of expertise/discipline: 
Experience in basic laboratory clinical research in infectious 
diseases (viruses, bacteria, parasites); participation in national 
and international projects in infectious diseases; experience in 
research projects evaluation, preparation and management; experience 
with an international agency which addresses global health 
challenges through innovative and collaborative research and 
training programs. The head of the hospital's Scientific Unit, Dr. 
Alemka Markotic, is requesting Dr. Ann Davis from the NIH for this 
Science Fellowship. 
 
Additional skills: lecturing 
 
Timeframe: 2 to 3 months; September to December 2007 
 
Housing: The Ministry of Science, Education and Sport will provide 
housing. 
 
Office/Work accommodations: 
The hospital will provide lunch. The Scientific Unit will be 
available for office work and meetings. Diagnostic and research 
laboratories will be available at the hospital. The hospital's main 
lecturing hall will be available for presentations and workshops. 
All necessary assistance will be provided the hospital staff. 
 
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Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶6. Specific Project: Numerical modeling of a tsunami in the Adriatic 
Sea. 
 
The Science Fellow will contribute to the national research project, 
"Investigation and monitoring systems for unusual Adriatic 
dynamics." The research encompasses various oceanographic phenomena 
such as tsunamis, density current, internal waves and tides and 
nonlinear atmosphere-ocean coupling. Specifically the Fellow will do 
research on the generation, spreading and coastal inundation of a 
dangerous tsunami with its source in the Adriatic Sea, by using a 
numerical model capable of producing reliable results. Apart from 
the transfer of knowledge, collaboration and networking, the 
collaborative research will culminate in a research paper published 
in a high-quality peer-reviewed journal. Furthermore, it is expected 
that the Science Fellow will share knowledge and experience in 
numerical modeling of a tsunami with Croatian scientists. 
 
Background: 
A destructive tsunami could be fatal for the coastal areas and 
cities, particularly in the south Adriatic (e.g. Dubrovnik) where 
tsunamis have occurred in the past. As almost no research on this 
 
SIPDIS 
topic has been previously performed on the Adriatic, this short-term 
research and further collaboration will lead to worldwide 
collaboration. 
 
Areas of expertise/discipline: 
Working knowledge of a tsunami numerical model. 
 
Timeframe: 3 months in 2008 
 
Housing and Office space: The Institute will provide both. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
University of Zagreb, Department of Science and Technology 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶7. Specific project: The University of Zagreb's Science and 
Technology Department is requesting a Science Fellow who can help 
develop the newly established Research Office as well as set the 
stage future collaboration between US and Croatian researchers. 
 
Background: 
The University of Zagreb is in the process of establishing the 
Research Office, with the goal of strengthening the performance and 
the reputation of the University in research and knowledge transfer. 
The Rector has recently nominated a steering committee which is 
working now to open the office by the end of May 2007. The 
university is currently advertising the position of Research Office 
Director. 
 
The main objective of the Office is to develop resources to be able 
to help with international research grants, research contracts, 
intellectual property, ethical issues, research integrity and 
performance as well as professional development and information 
resources. The Office will work closely with faculties, departments 
and other units of the University to support the University's 
research staff and students. 
Area of expertise/discipline: Experience in international grant 
procedures, contracts and intellectual property 
 
Timeframe: three months, preferably May to July 2007, or September 
to November 
 
Housing: The University of Zagreb will provide office space and 
housing. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶8. Specific Project: Surface forces on atomic scale applied in 
marine science and nanotechnology. 
 
The project is funded by Ministry of Science, Education and Sports 
at the Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb. Specifically, the Science 
Fellow will share knowledge and expertise in the application of 
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to study marine gel phase, its 
properties and formation mechanism, in relation to the large scale 
(sol-gel phase transition) phenomenon occurring episodically in the 
northern Adriatic Sea. 
 
Background: 
The Rudjer Boskovic Institute (RBI) is the largest Croatian research 
center in sciences and science applications. In the 
multi-disciplinary environment of the Institute, more than 500 
academic staff and graduate students work on problems in 
experimental and theoretical physics, chemistry and physics of 
materials, organic and physical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular 
biology and medicine, environmental and marine research and computer 
science and electronics. RBI is a national institution dedicated to 
research, higher education and provision of support to the academic 
community, to state and local governments and to technology-based 
industry. 
 
The Institute's current project, "Surface forces on atomic scale 
applied in marine science and nanotechnology," is aimed at bringing 
biophysical concepts and approaches to the study of the organization 
and function of the organic matter in the sea. 
 
RBI's long-term studies of surface-active particles, marine vesicles 
and gel microparticles provided evidence that biotic, as well as 
abiotic transformation of organic matter at the micro- and nanoscale 
are at the root of macroscopic phenomena in the sea (e.g. 
aggregation phenomena leading to marine gels, appearing episodically 
in the Adriatic Sea). RBI's experiments show it is possible to 
directly explore these processes at the scale that determines the 
fate of organic matter in the sea. The results of studying marine 
gel at nanoscale and the biophysical mechanism of its formation are 
expected to enable technological exploitation of marine gel as a new 
biomaterial. 
 
The group for bioelectrochemistry and surface imaging consists of 
four researchers, two graduate students and a technician. Regarding 
equipment there is Nanoscope MultiMode SPM (Veeco Instruments) and 
fully equipped laboratory for electroanalysis, epifluorescence 
microscopy, microorganism cultures and isolation. 
 
Areas of expertise/discipline: 
Knowledge of biophysics, polymer science and expertise in AFM 
techniques, application to the research in polymer gels. 
 
Timeframe: 6 to 10 weeks from mid-May to the end of July or in 
September 
 
Office Space: 
Shared space will be provided by Rudjer Boskovic in Zagreb. There 
are also opportunities to participate in field work (sampling 
cruises in the Adriatic Sea) in collaboration with the RBI Center 
for Marine Research in Rovinj. 
 
Housing: The Ministry of Science, Education and Sport will provide 
housing. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- University of 
Zagreb, School of Medicine 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶9. Specific Project: 
Assist in development of an Office for Grant Management as well as 
the Institutional Review Board at the University of Zagreb's School 
of Medicine. 
 
Background: 
The School of Medicine has recently begun to reorganize its 
administration for research grants and related tasks to align it 
with processes used by prominent institutions in the U.S.(ie Yale 
University School of Medicine). In January 2007 the school 
established a new Institutional Review Board (Ethics Committee) with 
three main components: Human Research Committee, Animal Use 
Committee and an Office for Academic Integrity. The university also 
plans to create a new Division/Office for Grant Management. 
 
The school is requesting a Science Fellow to work in the following 
areas: Efficient grant management administration (including the 
preparation of a Principal Investigator's Handbook and accompanying 
forms, advice on management of patents, licenses, extramural 
research contracts with both public and private sector, intellectual 
rights etc.); efficient organization of Office for Research 
Integrity with preparation of guidelines for responsible research 
conduct (including responsibilities of research supervisors and 
trainees, data management, publication practices, authorship, peer 
review and privileged information, collaborations, human subject 
research, financial conflicts of interest, and conflicts of 
commitment) and procedures for handling allegations of scientific 
fraud. 
 
Areas of expertise/disciplines: experience in grant management and 
research integrity. 
 
Timeframe: 1 to 2 months; Fall 2007 
 
Housing and office space: 
The University of Zagreb School of Medicine will provide housing and 
office space at the Croatian Institute for Brain Research located on 
the university campus. 
BRADTKE