About Marko Šustić

Marko Šustić, MD, PhD

Postdoctoral researcher

marko.sustic@medri.uniri.hr

Dr. Marko Šustić obtained his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rijeka, Croatia, and subsequently pursued a Ph.D. in the field of Immunology in the laboratory of Prof. Stipan Jonjić at the same university. His doctoral research focused on understanding how cytomegalovirus induces CD8⁺ T cell responses in murine models and how these mechanisms could be harnessed for the development of CMV vector-based vaccines. Following his Ph.D., he began his cardiology residency at the University Hospital Centre Rijeka, while continuing to engage in basic research. His current scientific work lies in the emerging field of cardioimmunology, with particular interest in how chronic latent infections impact the cardiovascular system.

Dr. Šustić has been awarded several fellowships, including an EFIS fellowship, which enabled him to conduct research in the Cardioimmunology Laboratory of Prof. Ramos at the University of Würzburg, Germany. He has authored several peer-reviewed publications in high-impact (Q1–Q2) journals, received three competitive research grants, and has presented his work at over numeorus international scientific conferences. In addition to his research and clinical duties, Dr. Šustić is actively involved in teaching and mentoring medical students and young researchers.

Selected Publications:

    1. Cokarić Brdovčak M, Materljan J, Šustić M, Ravlić S, Ružić T, Lisnić B, et al. ChAdOx1-S adenoviral vector vaccine applied intranasally elicits superior mucosal immunity compared to the intramuscular route of vaccination. European Journal of Immunology. 2022.
    2. Šustić M, Cokarić Brdovčak M, Lisnić B, Materljan J, Juranić Lisnić V, Rožmanić C, et al. Memory CD8 T Cells Generated by Cytomegalovirus Vaccine Vector Expressing NKG2D Ligand Have Effector-Like Phenotype and Distinct Functional Features. Frontiers in Immunology. 2021.
    3. Brizić I, Hiršl L, Šustić M, Golemac M, Britt WJ, Krmpotić A, et al. CD4 T cells are required for maintenance of CD8 TRM cells and virus control in the brain of MCMV-infected newborn mice. Medical Microbiology and Immunology. 2019.
    4. Pičuljan A, Šustić M, Brumini G, Kuharić J, Šustić A. Reliability of B-line quantification by different-level observers and a software algorithm using point-of-care lung ultrasound. Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing. 2020.
    5. Šustić M, Cokarić Brdovčak M, Krmpotić A, Jonjić S. CD8 T Cell Vaccines and a Cytomegalovirus-Based Vector Approach. Life (Basel). 2021.

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