Ana Banko

I have never imagined myself in a role other than a scientific one. The combination of medicine, research work and dedication to educate about the importance of science is exactly the desired combination for me.

Ana Banko, MD, PhD, is an Associate professor at the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Serbia. 

As a doctor specializing in microbiology and a subspecialist in virology, she has 15 years of experience in the field of clinical virology and laboratory diagnostics of the most diverse spectrum of human viral infections. 

The scientific background of her work includes cancers and autoimmune diseases related to viral infections. Banko also successfully leads several scientific projects. One of them investigated the role of the Epstein-Barr virus in autoimmune diseases. 

Its assumption is that a large part of the still unexplained diseases in humans is of an infectious nature and that the importance of viruses in human health is obvious, while the relationship between viruses and humans is a never-ending mystery.

The study found that lower levels of anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies are predictors of regression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This sheds light on the relationship between viruses and human health. It also recommends raising awareness of EBV's importance in RA and other autoimmune diseases and incorporating viral markers in screening and diagnostic protocols.

For Ana, work-leisure balance should not be based on imposed principles – it is much more important to create a balance according to our own model by doing what we love and what motivates us.