Rafaela Mrdjen-Hodžić

Contact:  rafaela@inantro.hr, 01 5535 122

Academic and Scientific Degrees

  • 18.12.2024. – PhD, natural sciences, field: biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb
  • July 2022. – Senate of the University of Zagreb accepted the topic of the doctoral dissertation entitled “Epigenetic features of the gene NR3C1 and cortisol levels in the population of pregnant women on islands and the mainland”
  • 2018 – University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, PhD candidate at the postgraduate doctoral study of Biology
  • 2003 – University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, B.Sc. in Molecular Biology. Thesis Title: “Effect of tonal stimulation on immunohematopoiesis of intoxicated mice”
  • 2000 – University of Zagreb, Faculty of Croatian Studies, Psychology (partial subjects)
  • 1997 – Conservatorio di Musica, Frosinone, Italia. Graduated Flute
  • 1993 – Music Education Center “Josip Hatze“, Split. Musician Flutist
  • 1992 – “Health Education Center”, Split. Secondary education laboratory health technician

Additional education

  • March 2011. – 10th experimental workshop Art, Therapy-Therapeutic Work through Artistic Expression, Zagreb
  • May 2010. – completed eight-month program Corso di Educazione Pre e Post Natale con la Musica defended the thesis “Educazione dei genitori nella communicazione prenatale”,  Milano, Italia
  • June 2008. – Diploma in Pastorale Familiare, Pontifical Institute of John Paul II for Marriage and the Family, Rome, Italy after a three-year education program with the grade “summa cum laude” defended the final work “Education of parents in prenatal communication”
  • July 2005. – International workshop “Early Childhood Music“, XIV National Workshop Orff-Schoolwork Methodology, Assisi, Italia
  • December 2001. – Certified infant massage instructor (CIMI), “Loving Touch Parent-Infant Massage” program. International Loving Touch Foundation, Inc, Portland, OR, SAD
  • June 2001. – Completed education “Music for the Unborn and Newborn”, Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, WI, SAD

Work Experience

  • 2023 – Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb. Expert Associate in Centre for Applied Bioanthropology
  • 2009 – Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb. Expert Associate

Work on projects:

2024 – 2027 Associate, Applied bioanthropology in the study of ancient and contemporary populations in the Republic of Croatia – BioAntroPoP (internal project of the Institute of Anthropology)

2000. – 2002. Associate of the international and officially recognized project “Beneficial music in prenatal and perinatal medicine and child development” within the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA)

Organizational Skills and Competences:

  • Member of the  Organizing Committee 35th School of Biological Anthropology: „Biological Anthropology of Health in 21st century: from describing variation to understanding determinants“ , June 2009.

Research Interests: biological anthropology, psychoneuroimmunology, stress, cortisol, music therapy

List of Publications – link

Membership in Professional Organizations and Associations:

  • International Society for the Study of Human Growth and Clinical Auxology (ISGA)
  • Croatian Anthropological Society (HAD)
  • Associazione Nazionale di Psicologia e di Educazione Prenatale (ANPEP), Italija