Dr Predrag Kalaba
Research Officer
Location
Parkville Campus
30 Royal Parade
Parkville Victoria 3052
Research group
Neuropeptide Receptor Group
Biography
Dr Predrag Kalaba is a medicinal chemist with a strong interest in multidisciplinary research, especially in the fields of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and neuroscience.
His core interests include the synthesis and characterisation of small molecules and neuropeptides, structure-activity relationship studies, and the development of molecular tools to study neurobiological processes.
His background in biochemistry and medicinal chemistry allows him to tackle these problems from different angles and to develop innovative therapeutic strategies for diseases with an unmet medical need.
He is also passionate about teaching, and supervising and mentoring students.
Career highlights
Current roles
Research officer – Neuropeptide Receptor Group
Past roles
Senior postdoctoral fellow and project leader at Muttenthaler Lab, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Austria
Research project
Awards and achievements
- 2023–24 – FFG (“Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft“, Austrian Research Promotion Agency) Spin-Off Fellowship Grant, Efficient production of isotope-labelled amino acids
- 2024 – Rückenwind Funding Bonus offered by the Austrian Science Fund’s (FWF) alpha+ Foundation
