“The human exposome allows us to connect what we experience in our daily environment with how our bodies respond, scientifically, and clinically,” says Aleksandra Buha Đorđević, Associate Professor at the Department of Toxicology of the University of Belgrade and IHEN exposome ambassador. “Unlike traditional toxicology, which often isolates one chemical or one pathway, the exposome integrates all exposures over time, offering a truly holistic picture of health.”
Following her participation in the first edition of the IHEN training school held in October 2025 in Barcelona, she is designing an introductory course on the exposome concept for toxicologists, clinicians, and public health professionals. The course organised by the Serbian Society of Toxicologists at the University of Belgrade will focus on bridging science and clinical practice through the lens of endocrine-disrupting chemicals as catalysts of exposure and early-life health risks.
Highlights from exposome research in Serbia
“Exposome research in Serbia is gaining momentum, driven by growing collaboration across toxicology, medicine, and environmental sciences,” she explains, “Our region faces complex exposure patterns: industrial, agricultural, and urban, which make exposome methodologies particularly relevant.”
She is currently working on building a Balkan Exposome Hub connected to IHEN, integrating biomonitoring data, environmental mapping, and health indicators. Aleksandra is excited to see the enthusiasm of both researchers and clinicians in Serbia to use these insights for tangible preventive actions translating science into patient guidance and public health awareness.
Our 22 exposome ambassadors were trained on the latest exposome tools and resources and will help build momentum for exposome research at their institutions. If you’re an environmental health or exposome researcher who is interested in collaborating on the initiatives described, you can reach out to Aleksandra Buha Đorđević.
