Brad Fitzpatrick
The Balkan region, so frequently engulfed in wars, is not considered a fertile ground for scientific research. Each generation in the former Yugoslavia is disturbed by at least one war. Despite the odds, quite a few properly educated, wise, and brave Yugoslav minds have made significant scientific contributions.
Scientists need to communicate freely and regularly with all members of the scientific community. They must have free access to foreign scientific innovations, including new materials and equipment. New technologies are expensive, and a poor country cannot afford to finance many scientists. Thus, selecting the most promising and productive researchers is the main challenge for those who make decisions on funding science.
Here are brief stories of three Yugoslav scientists who were active in the biomedical sciences: Laza K. Lazarević, Ivan Djaja, and Pavao Stren.
Laza K. Lazarević was born in Sabac, Serbia. A medical doctor, he was head of ...
