First Postgraduate Specialist Thesis Defended at the Faculty of Medicine

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the first postgraduate specialist thesis within the postgraduate specialist study of psychiatry was successfully defended at the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University of Croatia. The thesis, titled "Biomarkers of Astrocyte and Neuronal Reactivity During Electroconvulsive Therapy," was defended by Mislav Škrobo, MD.

This defense represents a historical milestone for the Catholic University of Croatia and the Faculty of Medicine, as it marks the first defended specialist thesis since the founding of the University, officially opening a new chapter in the development of postgraduate education at CUC.

The thesis was conducted under the mentorship of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Dalibor Karlović. The scientific contribution made by Dr. Škrobo, a psychiatry resident at the University Psychiatric Hospital of the University Hospital Center Sestre milosrdnice, is situated within the field of biological psychiatry. By researching the behavior of key nervous system cells during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the study offers valuable neurobiological insights into the mechanisms of this clinical method. By combining rigorous science with direct clinical application, the author and mentor have set high standards for future research at the faculty.

For the Faculty of Medicine and the Catholic University of Croatia, this defense is a confirmation of academic maturity and the capacity to conduct high-quality postgraduate education. Dr. Mislav Škrobo’s achievement of the university specialist title is proof of the successful synergy between science and clinical practice, tracing the path for new generations of physicians and researchers.

Sincere congratulations to Mislav Škrobo, MD, and his mentor, Professor Dalibor Karlović, on this great success!