Dr. Jelena Šarac is an anthropologist and research associate at the Center for Applied Bioanthropology, Institute for Anthropology in Zagreb, Croatia. Her primary focus lies in investigating the development of complex diseases, evolutionary biology, and population genetics. In the initial phase of her career, she concentrated on the anthropological analysis of genetic diversity and population structure in the eastern Adriatic, Croatia, and Europe. This involved the utilization of molecular genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosomes) to examine microevolutionary, historical, and cultural processes shaping the genetic landscape of these populations.In recent years, Dr. Šarac's research has shifted towards identifying risk factors for the development of complex non-communicable diseases, particularly metabolic syndrome, in early childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Her current work also involves investigating the effect of indoor air quality on human health, particularly in children with allergies. Within this context, her work focuses on metagenomic analysis of dust-associated microbiomes.