My research as a lecturer in anatomy started with the investigation of cardiac veins in humans. Using anatomical dissection we analyzed variations of cardiac veins in their course and drainage and discussed their application in clinical practice. Also, we made a comparison with the venous system of the dog. We pointed out differences in venous terminology in Latin and in English as well as in anatomy and clinical practice. Further, I joined the research group of the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka which investigated the role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the pathogenesis of skeletal and non-skeletal tissue such as osteophyte formation, bone healing processes, prostate and breast cancer. After my pre-doctoral training at the Laboratory for mineralized tissue, Medical Faculty, University of Zagreb under the supervision of Professor Slobodan Vukicevic, MD, PhD, I started my investigation of the role of BMPs in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). My work involved the rat model for acute and chronic IBD to determine immunologic and genetic aspect of experimental inflammatory bowel disease based on the expression profile of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, BMPs and components of BMP signaling pathway. Currently, the focus of my research is the role of BMPs in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. I have authored 20 papers that have been published in prestigious biomedical journals. The total number of citations of published papers exceeds 1000. During one academicyear I served as the coordinator of the Integrated undergraduate and graduate study programme of Medicine (for basic courses) and since 2017 as Vice-Dean for Teaching at Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka.