About Us

Bord Members

President
Prof. As. Dr. Merita Xhetani

Lecturer and researcher of Human Genetics and Molecular Genetics, member of the University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology.

E-mail Address: merita.xhetani@unitir.edu.al – merita.xhetani@fshn.edu.al

Vice President
Prof. Dr. Mirela Lika

Lecturer and researcher of Immunology, molecular immunology, and immunogenetics, University of Tirana. Head of the research group Genetics and microbiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences.

E-mail Address: mirela.lika@fshn.edu.al

Secretary
Dr. Blerta Laze

Lecturer and researcher of Human Genetics, University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali”.

E-mail Address: info@geneticsalbania.com

Dr. Majlinda Kote Dhimolea

Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Public Health, Tirana-Albania.

E-mail Address: mdhimolea@live.com

Akad. Prof. Dr. Ilia Mikerezi

Co-chairmen of the Unit of Biotechnology and Genetics at the Albanian Academy of Sciences, lecturer and researcher of Genetics at UT, Faculty of Natural Sciences.

E-mail Address: imikerezi@yahoo.com

Dr. Dorela Kroni

Founder and Executive Director of biotechnology and genetic testing company, StemGen Partners ltd.

E-mail Address: dorela.kroni@stemgenpartners.eu

Prof. Dr. Dhurata Bozo

Researcher and Lecturer in Biology, Biotechnology, and Genetics of Physical Activity in the service of Health and Sports. Currently, Prof. Dhurata Bozo is the Head of the Department of Physical Activity and Health, at IKSHS-Tirana.

Email: dhuratabozo@gmail.com

Arjela Cjapi

Molecular Genetics Expert at the Pentagene, Tirana.

E-mail Address: arjela.cjapi@gmail.com

Kristiana Mano

Molecular biologist at the Gynecological Clinic “Koço Gliozheni”, Tirana.

Honorary member
Prof. Dr. Zyri Bajrami

Lecturer and researcher in Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Albanian Society of Human Molecular Genetics (ASHMG)
is part of the National Human Genetics Societies Network.
Click here for more details.

Active volunteers

Agli Mirdita
Dr/PhD candidate in Molecular Biology of the Cell Milano, Italia

I am Agli Mirdita, a recent graduate with academic experience in Albania and Italy. I studied Biotechnology in Tirana for my Bachelor’s, followed by my Master’s in Molecular Biology of the Cell in Milan. This academic journey has allowed me to study and further my knowledge in matters of Molecular, Synthetic and Structural Biology, Functional, and Molecular Genomics, etc.

Throughout my studies, I had the opportunity to be part of the research team within the European Institute of Oncology for a 6-month full-time internship, where I studied and worked with stem cells and the creation of organoids, as well as their further application in the autism research framework.

In addition, I conducted a full-time year-round research project at the University of Milan. This research-backed dissertation in which I analyzed the expression levels of MDM2 protein under the influence of post-translational modification processes, with the major focus on the Simulation process.

I can only express my enthusiasm and determination to partake in this initiative to develop genetic research and application in Albania. Based on my experience, I can organize seminars to analyze innovations within the research community, as well as help, mediate the collaboration between the Universities of Tirana and Milano, with the goal of potential guest lectures and academic exchange programs.

Marsilda Memaj
Doctor in Molecular Biology, Tirana, Albania

I am Marsilda Memaj a recent PhD graduate in Molecular Biology with teaching experience in High Schools (some of them international) and University in Albania. I have completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and then my Master’s in Molecular Biology, Tirana, Albania. During this academic journey I conducted a research on Physiological and Biochemical Mechanism of blood regulation levels in crab C.aestuarii, finalized by the CHH sequencing in Italy. I have participated in some International Conferences in Albania and abroad and I have published my research in International Indexed Journals.

I have around 10 years teaching experience. During these years I conducted scientific projects in Albania and abroad such as in USA. I have prepared students for biology matura exam, A level and IB exams, National Biology Olympiad, International Climate Science Olympiad and I have being part of the checking matura exams group too. I have participated in many seminars and training courses in education.

Based on my experience, I would like to contribute on  ASHMG on conducting some new genetic projects among high school students; on creating some connections between teachers in order to provide scientific information on genetics by using websites, seminars, training courses or workshops; by using virtual labs or simulation for teachers and students or by creating some essay competitions focused on genetic topics.

Noel Petrela
Student, University of Bordeaux

My name is Noel Petrela, and I am currently a student at the University of Bordeaux pursuing a master’s degree in Biology and Health: Molecular and Cellular Genetics. The domains of my interest are cell signaling, rare genetic diseases, and cancer. As a volunteer at the Albanian Society of Human Molecular Genetics, my mission is to build bridges for other researchers in the genetics field between the two countries.

I will help for up to date with the latest research topics in the field of human genetics in France and try to promote collaborations between Albanian and French laboratories. Unified by our passion for genetics, we can diversify and extend the scope of our study.

Naile Koleci, Ph.D candidate
University Medical Center Freiburg Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Freiburg, Germany

I studied Biology at the University of Tirana 2012-2015.  I, then  pursued a master’s degree in Microbiology at the University of Jena, Germany (DE). I performed the master thesis in the laboratory of Prof. Peter F Zipfel at the Hans Knol Institute in Jena, where I identified the AfEno1 protein as a virulent factor of the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus.

Meanwhile, I completed an internship in the laboratory of Prof. Avery August at Cornell University (USA) where I studied the communication of AfEno1 protein with T cells in an in-vivo system. Subsequently, I became part of the laboratory team of Dr. Miriam Erlacher at the University Hospital in Freiburg, Germany (DE) for research within the doctorate in the field of leukemia.

I am currently in my final year studying the communication of apoptosis and the proto-oncogene PTPN11 in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia -JMML). My contribution to this association will be in bringing up-to-date information, in concrete activities with members of the second working group created within ASHMG, as well as opportunities for mediation with lecturers and colleagues from the institute where I currently work  and study.

Selma Dyca
Msc Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universita di Pavia
E-mail: s.dyca@hotmail.com

I am Selma Dyca, a student at Universita di Pavia and currently completing my master studies in Molecular and Genetic Biology. I graduated in Biology (Bachelor) and Molecular Biology (Master) at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Sciences. Studying at Universita di Pavia enabled me a 2-year internship at the Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza Institute of Molecular Genetics, Pavia (IGM-CNR). During the first year of the intership I worked on the master thesis “Bacterial expression and enzymatic characteristics of the human helix DDX1”.

Recent research studies conducted in our laboratory led to the identification of DEAD-box 1 protein (DDX1) as a new protein interactor involved in the basal transcription mechanism and involved in the nucleotides excision repair (NER), the only way in human cells dedicated to the removal of UV-induced DNA lesions. In our research, we focused on the enzymatic characterization of the human protein DDX1.

I express my enthusiasm to join the Albanian Association of Human Molecular Genetics and I believe that I will give my scientific contribution in order to have a progress of scientific research in Albania. This contribution will consist both practically and theoretically by inviting Professors and Researchers of the institute and the university to exchange their experiences in the field of Molecular Genetics.