IARC scientist elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences of Croatia

Dr Zdenko Herceg, Head of the Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has been elected as a Member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Croatia. The election took place during the Academy’s annual meeting, held in Zagreb, Croatia, and was accompanied by a scientific lecture delivered by Dr Herceg on epigenetics and cancer.

Election to the Academy of Medical Sciences of Croatia is one of the highest academic distinctions in the country and recognizes outstanding contributions to biomedical research, education, and public health. Dr Herceg’s election acknowledges his long-standing scientific work in cancer epigenomics, cancer prevention, and the environmental origins of disease – areas that are central to IARC’s mission.

Reflecting on the distinction, Dr Herceg emphasized the collective dimension of the recognition. He highlighted the importance of the support he has received throughout his career from family, early teachers, and mentors, as well as the formative role played by IARC.

Dr Herceg also underlined the contributions of the many students, postdoctoral fellows, technical staff, and collaborators with whom he has worked around the world, including long-standing scientific and training partnerships with colleagues in Croatia. These collaborations have contributed to strengthening links between the international research and national scientific communities.

The Academy, under the leadership of Professor Alemka Markotić and her colleagues, offered a warm reception to Dr Herceg at the meeting. The election is expected to further reinforce collaboration between IARC and Croatian institutions, supporting shared efforts to better understand cancer causes and to advance prevention strategies aimed at reducing the global burden of cancer.