EFLM LabX report by Josipa Raguž, Croatia

My name is Josipa Raguž, and I am a young specialist in laboratory medicine from Croatia. I am a member of the Croatian society of medical biochemistry and laboratory medicine and the Croatian Chamber of Medical Biochemists, where I actively participate in several committees. I am also a member of the EFLM Task Group for EuLab Day. Additionally, I am part of the EFLM e-Academy, where I actively engage and utilize the available learning materials for professional development.
I had the honour and pleasure of being awarded the EFLM bursary to participate in the EFLM LabX exchange program, for which I am immensely grateful. This was an exciting and invaluable experience for me, both personally and professionally.
I participated in the EFLM LabX exchange program for one month, from October to November 2024, at the St. Luc Clinical Hospital in Brussels under the mentorship of Prof. Damien Gruson.
Saint-Luc Clinical Hospital is the largest hospital in Brussels, known for its excellence in patient care and a strong partnership with the Université Catholique de Louvain. The hospital has achieved full AAHRPP accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to ethical standards in clinical research. The Clinical biochemistry department, headed by Professor Damien Gruson, specializes in hormone analysis and immunoassays, making it an ideal setting for my training.
The entire biochemistry department impressed me with its organization and advanced equipment. They introduced me to their workflows and daily routines, which helped me better understand their approach to laboratory medicine.
The main focus of my project was the analytical verification of PIVKA-II on the Maglumi X6 immunoassay analyser (Snibe, Shenzhen, China). My work included evaluating precision, bias, and method linearity according to CLSI guidelines to ensure the reliability and clinical applicability of this biomarker. Additionally, we performed a method comparison, analysing PIVKA-II results obtained on the Lumipulse and Maglumi X6 analyzers.
Beyond the experimental work, my task was to review existing scientific literature on PIVKA-II and its application across various platforms. This allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the analyte and its potential in diagnostics, especially in the context of liver diseases. For exchanging experiences and data, I reached out to assistant professor Sanja Stanković from Belgrade, who has also conducted research on the topic of PIVKA-II, enriching my work further.
I was honoured to be invited to attend lectures in clinical endocrinology led by Prof. Orsalia Alexopoulou and Prof. Damien Gruson. I was particularly inspired by a lecture given by Prof. Joseph Dewulf on metabolic diseases and neonatal screening in Belgium. After the lecture, I had the opportunity to visit the laboratory conducting these analyses, led by Dr. Sandrine Marie.
Finally, the highlight of my stay in the EFLM LabX program was being invited by Prof. Gruson to attend the annual meeting of the Royal Belgian Society of Laboratory Medicine (RBSLM). At this event, the latest groundbreaking and significant achievements in both science and practice were presented, serving as an inspiration and motivation for my further professional development.
Working in such a professional environment, under the mentorship of Prof. Gruson and with the support of the team from the St. Luc Clinical Hospital, was extremely inspiring. Their expertise and willingness to share knowledge motivated me to pursue further education and set the foundation for applying what I learned in my daily practice.
I would like to give my special thanks to the EFLM for this great opportunity, as well as to the Croatian society of medical biochemistry and laboratory medicine, headed by associate professor Ivana Ćelap, for their support. I am especially grateful to Professor Damien Gruson and the entire team at Saint-Luc for their mentorship.
I find EFLM LabX exchange program as excellent opportunity, which provides young scientists with invaluable experiences and opportunities to advance in an international environment. I highly recommend such opportunities to everyone, as they not only shape careers but also broaden horizons.

My name is Josipa Raguž, and I am a young specialist in laboratory medicine from Croatia. I am a member of the Croatian society of medical biochemistry and laboratory medicine and the Croatian Chamber of Medical Biochemists, where I actively participate in several committees. I am also a member of the EFLM Task Group for EuLab Day. Additionally, I am part of the EFLM e-Academy, where I actively engage and utilize the available learning materials for professional development.
I had the honour and pleasure of being awarded the EFLM bursary to participate in the EFLM LabX exchange program, for which I am immensely grateful. This was an exciting and invaluable experience for me, both personally and professionally.