About Me

Hello and welcome to my world of science

Despite growing up far away from the coast, I always dreamed of working with sharks. Today, I am internationally awarded scientist, author, lecturer, advanced diver, documentary filmmaker, ROV pilot, skydiver and entrepreneur. 

Founder and CEO of Sharklab ADRIA with multiple engagements as head scientist at both National Geographic and Discovery Channel. I am author of more than 70 publications including two books and the principal investigator of 19 regional projects. Besides, I delivered lectures in more than 75 countries. For my scientific achievements I have received five awards. My work was featured in more than 200 media including NatGeo, Discovery, FOX, BBC, CNN, and many more.

An internationally recognized scientist

Honors & Awards

For his regional scientific achievements, multinational community engagement and conservation efforts - Andrej has received dozens of recognitions including National Geographics, United Nations, and many others to name. Take a look at the most important below:

Honorary Ambassador of the Mediterranean

appointed by Barcelona Convention (PAP/RAC, UNEP)

Neum, 2022

Special Governmental Recognition for Science

extraordinary scientific achievements and promotion of science

Sarajevo, 2021

Man of the Year 
prestigious award

awarded by LadiesIn community for distinguished scientific work 

Sarajevo, 2019

Laboratory studies

Andrej, what's your research all about?

As biology present one of the fundamental pillars of science I cannot segregate my research into any specific category. Thus, it rather combines veterinary medicine and conservation to better understand the vulnerabilities (i.e., diseases) and to further develop regional long-term in-situ conservation measures. Primarily, I am studying the effects of pollution on disease development, individual immunological responses to wider pressures, neurobiology and embryology of sharks, skates and rays. In parallel with that, I am combining extensive field research consisting of underwater studies and fisheries surveys. I never kill, nor harm, any animal for my studies – as all the biological samples came from the by-catch and commercial fisheries we monitor. 

The effects of pollution on disease development

Studying shark diseases through pathology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, radiology and axial tomography.

  

Embryology and reproductive biology

The pioneer in fetal in-vitro incubation, delivering the novel insights into the roles of mother during the late stage of gravidity.

  

Chaperoning neurological disorders

Researching meningitis, encephalitis and meningoencephalitis and their plausible connection to aggressive behavior in sharks.

  

Underwater research

Being a shark diver is a pretty cool, trust me!

As biology present one of the fundamental pillars of science I cannot segregate my research into any specific category. Thus, it rather combines veterinary medicine and conservation to better understand the vulnerabilities (i.e., diseases) and to further develop regional long-term in-situ conservation measures. Primarily, I am studying the effects of pollution on disease development, individual immunological responses to wider pressures, neurobiology and embryology of sharks, skates and rays. In parallel with that, I am combining extensive field research consisting of underwater studies and fisheries surveys. I never kill, nor harm, any animal for my studies – as all the biological samples came from the by-catch and commercial fisheries we monitor. 

Spending the nights in the company of giants

  

They are smart, curious and sometimes playful

  

  

Rescue, rehabilitation and release

  

  

Projects & Publications

Check out my recent projects & publications

Through the past seven years, I was the Principal Investigator of 19 cutting-edge regi0nal projects that were funded by: Rufford Foundation, National Geographic, Explorers Club, Discovery Channel, Foundation Ensemble, PADI Foundation, IDEA WILD, Federal Ministry of Education and Science, Environmental Protection Fund and even more. As dedicated author, I have published over 70 original scientific publications, and two books. My last book “Sharks, skates and rays of the eastern Adriatic Sea” has received the full governmental support of Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Feel free to e-mail me for your free eCopy (in PDF) and browse several featured articles below.

Gajić et al., 2022

Contemporary records of the rare and critically endangered angular rough shark, Oxynotus centrina (Linnaeus, 1758), from the eastern Adriatic Sea

Journal of Fish Biology, 100(1): 329-334.

Gajić, 2022

New hope for the critically endangered common angel shark (Squatina squatina) in the Adriatic Sea, northern Mediterranean

Croatian Journal of Fisheries,
80(1): 1-6

Gajić et al., 2020

Melanomacrophage centeres and diseases occurring in lesser-spotted catsharks, Scyliorhinus canicula (L.), from the southern Adriatic Sea – importance for monitoring

Acta Adriatica, 61(2): 175-184

Check out my other papers

In the Media

My work and career were featured in more than 250 media appearances. You can easily search for all of them by simply googling my name, while the most important are given below:

Let's get in touch

Visit also http://www.sharklab-adria.org

Designed by A. Gajić, October 2022