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Dr. Dragan Primorac is a pediatrician forensic expert and geneticist. He is former Minister of Science, Education and Sports of The Republic of Croatia. He serves as adjunct professor at Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, and Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, in the United States and as professor at Medical Schools in Split and Osijek as well as at Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, in Croatia. In October of 2016. he was appointed as a visiting professor at the College of Medicine and Forensics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, People’s Republic of China. In addition, he is member of the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine Executive Committee (IC PerMEd) established by The European Commission. He is the first recipient of the title “Global Penn State University Ambassador”. Currently he serves as the Chair of the International Affairs Committee of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Dr. Primorac is the founder of the Specialty Hospital for Orthopedics, Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation “St. Catherine” in Croatia, cofounder of Department of Forensic Sciences at the University of Split, Croatia as well as cofounder of the Regiomed Medical School, Germany. Earlier in his career he gained his knowledge and experience working at The University of Connecticut, Health Center, Department of Pediatrics, Farmington, Connecticut; The University Hospital St. Christopher's, Allegheny University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rockville, Maryland; The Analytical Genetic Testing Center, Inc., Denver, Colorado; Roche Molecular Systems, Alameda, California and Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, Meriden, Connecticut, all in the United States.
Dr. Primorac is one of the pioneers in DNA identification of skeletal human remains from mass graves. He authored close to two hundred scientific papers and abstracts in clinical and molecular medicine, genetics, forensic science, population genetics, genetic legacy of Homo sapiens and education, science and technology policy. Currently, he has particular interest in metabolic bone disease, cartilage disorders as well as in personalized and regenerative medicine. His work was published in most cited journals including Science and Nature. Dr. Primorac is a pioneer in the application of DNA analysis for identification of bodies in mass graves and the founder of forensic DNA analysis in the region. His papers have been cited 3760 times (Google Scholar) while h-index is 27. He has been invited speaker at more than 100 scientific conferences or meetings. Currently, he is a team leader of the Croatian partner in the international consortium within EU FP7 project entitled “Multi-dimensional OMICS approach to stratification of patients with low back pain”, worth 7.6 million euros. Dr. Primorac was invited speaker at more than sixty conferences all around the world. He is the co-founder and since February, 2015 he serves as the President of The International Society of Applied Biological Sciences (www.isabs.hr). In November of 2015 he was elected to lead the State competitiveness cluster in personalized medicine.
Dr. Primorac received 21 domestic and international awards including The Young Investigator Award of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research in 1992, The Michael Geisman Fellowship Award of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation in 1993, The Life Time Achievement Award by the Henry C. Lee’s Institute of Forensic Science in 2002, The Award of the Italian Region Veneto for Special Achievements in Promoting Science in the EU in 2007, The University of New Haven’s International Award for Excellence in 2010 and Presidential Award by the President of the International Association of Forensic Sciences for his contribution given to forensic sciences in 2011. In October of 2015 he has been awarded The State Science Award (the most prestigious national recognition by the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia) for his outstanding contribution to biomedical science. On February 12, 2015. Dr. Primorac received decoration “The Order of Croatian Star with the Effigy of Ruđer Bošković“, from the President of the Republic of Croatia for his extraordinary achievements in science. On June 2015, he was awarded with a special recognition for his outstanding service, dedication, professionalism and exceptional medical care and support to U.S. Embassy Sarajevo and Zagreb. He is currently honorary citizen of five cities in and outside of Croatia. Several renowned media outlets, both electronic and print, have reported on the results of his work, such as the New York Times, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Hartford Courant, JAMA, Lancet, Science, NBC, Channel 8 (Connecticut TV Station) etc.
Dr. Primorac served as Minister of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia from 2003 to 2009. According to the International Republican Institute survey of October 1, 2007, he was rated as the most successful minister in the Government with 31% approval rate. Under his leadership, chapters ”Science and Research” and “Education and Culture” were the first two chapters that Croatia closed in negotiations with the European Union. As the Minister of Science, Education and Sports, Dr. Primorac launched a series of successful reforms in primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as in science, technology and sports that significantly improved the system. Minister Primorac was able to secure the greatest increase of the budget for science, education and sports in the history of modern Croatia. The budget in 2003 was $1.2 billion while the budget in 2009 was $2.3 billion (including loans for Croatian universities). During his mandate, strategic documents such as the Education Sector Development Plan 2005 – 2010 and the Science and Technology Policy 2006 – 2010 were prepared and subsequently adopted by the Government and supported by the World Bank loan in the amount of €68 million (Education) and €31 million (Science and Technology). The award for numerous efforts made by minister Primorac and his team on the Croatian educational system was the survey of the famous Newsweek (August 16, 2010) which rated Croatian education system 22nd in the World, ahead of 12 countries from the G20 group.
Prof. Primorac has received 20 domestic and international awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award by the University of New Haven, Forensic Science Institute, New Haven, USA for contribution to the development of forensic sciences.
Prof. Primorac has participated in numerous humanitarian activities and he was always ready to respond to initiatives and to participate in the events with the humanitarian character.
Prof. Primorac was a member of the Cabinet of the Republic of Croatia as the Minister of Science, Education and Sports from December 2003 to July 2009.
August 1st, 2018Prof. Dragan Primorac with a dear friend Luka Modrić, World Cup 2018 Golden Ball winnerBefore the beginning of 2018 World Cup, Prof. Primorac made a statement “I strongly believe that Luka Modrić who is one of soccer’s rarities would be a worthy winner of the World Footballer of the Year award that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have had ... “Prof. Dragan Primorac with a dear friend Luka Modrić, World Cup 2018 Golden Ball winner”
June 19th, 2018DRAGAN PRIMORAC HAS BEEN AWARDED WITH THE HIGH STATE DECORATION OF THE ORDER OF ANTE STARČEVIĆ
On the occasion of the Statehood Day, pursuant to Article 98, paragraph 1, sub-paragraph 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and the provisions of Article 2, 3 and 16 of the Law on Awards and Recognitions of the Republic of Croatia, ... “DRAGAN PRIMORAC HAS BEEN AWARDED WITH THE HIGH STATE DECORATION OF THE ORDER OF ANTE STARČEVIĆ”
February 23rd, 2018Dragan Primorac has been re-appointed Chair of International Affairs Committee of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Susan Ballou, the President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) announced that Professor Dragan Primorac, former Minister of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia has been re-appointed Chair of International Affairs Committee of the American Academy of ... “Dragan Primorac has been re-appointed Chair of International Affairs Committee of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences”
December 28th, 2017December 20th, 2017, Dragan Primorac gave an interview for The Wall Street International Magazine
In this interview published by The Wall Street International Magazine, Dragan Primorac is talking about his scientific and sports achievements, political career, St. Catherine’s Hospital and his future plans.
All in one
Conversation with Professor Dragan Primorac ... “December 20th, 2017, Dragan Primorac gave an interview for The Wall Street International Magazine”
December 24th, 2016Dragan Primorac has been appointed Professor of the Xi’an Jiaotong University in ChinaBecause of his outstanding contribution to the field of biomedical sciences Professor Dragan Primorac has been elected as professor of the Xi’an Jiaotong University in China. Professor Dragan Primorac is a pediatrician, forensic expert and geneticist. He serves as adjunct professor at Eberly College ... “Dragan Primorac has been appointed Professor of the Xi’an Jiaotong University in China”
July 19th, 2016Dragan Primorac has been appointed Chair of International Affairs Committee of the American Academy of Forensic ScienceJohn Gerns, the President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) announced that professor Dragan Primorac, former Minister of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia has been appointed Chair of International Affairs Committee of the American Academy of ... “Dragan Primorac has been appointed Chair of International Affairs Committee of the American Academy of Forensic Science”
February 29th, 2016Former Croatian science minister Dragan Primorac has been appointed ambassador of the Pennsylvania State UniversityPenn State launched its new Global Ambassador Program by appointing Dragan Primorac to be the first ambassador of this University which was established in 1855. President Eric Barron officially appointed Primorac to this distinguished role Feb. 29 on the University Park campus.
“Professor Primorac ... “Former Croatian science minister Dragan Primorac has been appointed ambassador of the Pennsylvania State University”
October 29th, 2015Dragan Primorac gave a lecture at a congress ‘The future of the healthcare industry’Dragan Primorac, president of the Board of Trustees – St. Catherine Hospital, a renowned Croatian physician, scientist and world geneticist and forensic scientist, at the Congress “Future of the healthcare industry” on October 20th 2015, noted the important role of regenerative medicine, which is ... “Dragan Primorac gave a lecture at a congress ‘The future of the healthcare industry’”
October 23rd, 2015Prof. Dragan Primorac has been awarded The State Science AwardProf. Dragan Primorac has been awarded The State Science Award for his outstanding contribution to biomedical science. The State Science Award is the highest and the most prestigious national recognition by the Parliament of The Republic of Croatia for extraordinary contribution to science and ... “Prof. Dragan Primorac has been awarded The State Science Award”
October 23rd, 2015Dragan Primorac inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of FameDragan Primorac is inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame. He received Official Induction in the category “Pioneer Taekwondo Instructor” for his outstanding achievements and contribution to the Taekwondo. The award was given by Dr. Gerard Robbins, executive director and former U.S. ... “Dragan Primorac inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame”
