Knowledge and innovation for healthy and sustainable Montenegro

Milena Petrović is a medical PhD student, who contributes to the development of healthy and sustainable Montenegro through her scientific work. The first genetic testing of psychiatric patients in Montenegro was conducted as a part her PhD thesis.

“The practical application of genetic research in medicine is a modern and innovative approach to treatment aimed at improving its efficiency and effectiveness. With this research, Montenegro has come closer to the use of highly personalised therapy in psychiatric patients, which is a trend in the modern medicine in the world”, Milena says.

Montenegro has had a defined strategic framework for the development and implementation of innovations for several years now, and through the Smart Specialization Strategy (S3), which was adopted in 2019, it creates the preconditions for a stronger link between science and its economy. In cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Technological Development, and through the project “Norway for You”, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro has also supported the efforts of the Government of Montenegro to initiate the transformation and diversification of its economy by improving the innovation ecosystem based on the concept of the S3 Strategy.

One of the “smart stories” we have also supported is Milena’s story.

Milena’s work contributes to the promotion of healthy and sustainable Montenegro, which is the best way to illustrate why it is important to map the innovation and scientific potential of a country and invest in it. Improving the excellence and relevance of scientific and research activities and strengthening of human resources in the field of research and innovation are two out of five strategic priorities of the S3 Strategy, which contribute to the achievement of the overall S3 goal, which is: a healthy, sustainable and digitalised Montenegro.

“The research we conducted as part of my PhD thesis is the first genetic testing of psychiatric patients in Montenegro. The practical application of genetic research in medicine is a modern and innovative approach to treatment aimed at improving its efficiency and effectiveness. With this research, Montenegro has come closer to the use of highly personalised therapy in psychiatric patients, which is a trend in the modern medicine in the world”, Milena explains how her research contributes to the accomplishment of this goal.

In addition to a monthly salary, as well as necessary funds to finance the research, the scholarship also enabled Milena to study and work at prestigious institutes abroad.

“A great wish of mine, to practise psychiatry at the molecular level, has been fulfilled”, she has added.

Through her scientific and research work, she has established contacts with scientists from abroad. She received selfless support during her study visit as part of her scholarship and built partnerships and made friends for future research efforts, which is extremely valuable to her. Milena encourages young people to use opportunities given by the S3 framework. The Smart Specialisation Strategy is designed to identify the strengths and comparative advantages of the state, to prioritise investments in research and innovation in areas that are competitive and define a common vision for the development of innovation in the country.

“The initiatives within S3 offer an opportunity to transform the idea about your research into real action, through different forms of support. The experience has taught me that practicing science poses a challenge even in more developed countries. Nevertheless, it is not impossible to do it, with proper commitment and love for your field of science. The point is that you cannot exaggerate with investments in science. Continuous support from institutions is needed if we want the Montenegrin scientific community to be recognised internationally”, Milena has concluded.

Her story is an example of successful implementation of the S3 support programme, and the website dedicated to the Smart Specialization Strategy of Montenegro, www.s3.me, has also been launched recently.