Adam Bešić’s life journey began in a small old town by the Una River, in Bosanska Otoka, and today it leads him through medicine, research and international success. As a child, he could not even dream that one day he would be on the doorstep of Harvard (USA). But all of this became a reality thanks to dedication, work and, of course, a huge love for medicine.
In an interview with Fena news agency, Bešić recalls that in 2016, his family and he moved to Copenhagen (Denmark). This marked the beginning of his journey in the field of medicine. He began his studies at the University of Copenhagen, and his interest in ophthalmology and the desire to gain experience in various aspects of medicine quickly led him to practical work in a hospital.
“I worked as a doctor in the ophthalmology department, while also assisting in surgery, cataract, glaucoma and vitrectomy operations. It was important for me to learn not only through studies, but also through practical work in a clinical environment,” he emphasizes.
During that period, he was also the team leader for medical students in the department, where he managed a group of 25 students, organizing their clinical rotations and providing support in their daily work.
“During my student days, I started working as an assistant lecturer at the University of Copenhagen, and I am still active there. Through this position, I have the opportunity to share my knowledge, giving lectures and practical exercises. This allows me to continuously contribute to the education of medical students,” he emphasized.
After years of learning and training, towards the end of my doctoral studies at the University of Copenhagen, Bešić had the privilege of participating in the HelpMeSee project.
“During that project, I learned from Dr. Daniel Hutter from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, the most famous ophthalmological institution in the USA. I learned the techniques of manual cataract surgery (MSCIS), which, as a method used in developing countries, enabled the rapid and effective treatment of cataracts, a problem that leads to blindness for millions of people around the world. It was an incredible opportunity for me to improve myself, to acquire skills that I could use in future humanitarian missions,” he emphasized.
For Bešić, ophthalmology is fascinating because it combines medicine and surgery, providing a huge variation in everyday tasks, from routine examinations to complex surgeries.
“The eye is an extremely complex organ, and with the aging population and increased use of screens, ophthalmology services are expected to continue to grow. My path towards a research and scientific life began with my first collaboration on a project on GLP-1 and diabetic retinopathy, which I worked on with Jens Juul Holst and Michael Larsen. Jens Juul Holst discovered GLP-1, from which Wegovy, Rybelsus and Ozempic were created, which are increasingly used for diabetes and weight loss, and he was a key figure in that research area, together with Michael Larsen, one of the leaders in ophthalmological research,” says Bešić.
The invitation to continue his training at Harvard is one of the most important moments in Bešić’s career. The invitation came after years of joint research and collaboration in various projects. It was, as he says, confirmation that his work and contribution were recognized.
“Harvard, as a prestigious institution, offers not only an exceptional opportunity for further learning, but also the possibility of networking with some of the best experts in the world, which inevitably improved my work,” he emphasized.
The period of arrival at Harvard was extremely dynamic for Bešić and filled with intensive learning, not only through acquiring new knowledge, but also through its exchange with colleagues within the research team. This experience allowed him to broaden his academic horizons and improve his research skills.
“I completed a fellowship at Harvard Medical School, and now I have the position of an affiliated research fellow at Harvard, in the research group led by Professor Reza Dana, the renowned Claes H. Dohlman Professor of Ophthalmology. This position opened the door for me to be more deeply involved in various research projects, both in ophthalmology and in multidisciplinary areas that connect ophthalmology with other areas of medicine and public health,” he emphasized.
Adam Bešić is currently involved in several significant projects, including research into the early manifestations of diabetic retinopathy in children with type 1 diabetes, the analysis of vascular factors in glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), and research into the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on ophthalmological conditions – the connection between this autoimmune disease and various ophthalmological problems.
However, there is one particularly intriguing project that he is currently working on. It concerns the analysis of levels of mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT derivatives in marine mammals and their potential impact on human health. This project is being carried out in the Faroe Islands, a region that is specific for studying the bioaccumulation of these pollutants in the food chain.
He explains that ocean pollution is becoming a global problem and in the Faroe Islands, which have a specific ecosystem, people accumulate toxic substances such as mercury through the consumption of meat from marine mammals (such as whales) in their diet, which poses a serious health risk.
“This research is conducted in a local cohort, which is followed from birth, making it unique and allowing for a detailed understanding of the long-term effects of this pollution. This project is particularly important, as it provides a valuable opportunity to collect data that can be applied to larger global communities (including the USA, Canada, Scandinavia and Russia) and provide a deep understanding of the various aspects related to this topic,” he points out.
He specifies that the focus of this research is serious health conditions, including neurological disorders, suppression of the immune system, hypertension, increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, as well as certain ophthalmological diseases.
“The meat of marine mammals, which for centuries served as a valuable source of food in marine areas such as the Faroe Islands, is no longer suitable for human consumption, largely due to human carelessness and negligence around the world. Unfortunately, it is increasingly evident that the oceans have become a global dumping ground for a wide range of pollutants. One of the most famous is, without a doubt, mercury. This heavy metal is not only a problem in the Faroe Islands, but also throughout the world. Mercury reaches the atmosphere, then settles to the bottom of the ocean where it transforms into organic mercury – a form that easily accumulates through the food chain,” he says.
Bešić adds that marine mammals (such as whales) are high on the food chain, in regions like the Faroe Islands, and accumulate significant amounts of mercury in their tissues.
“When people consume the meat of these mammals, this same mercury is deposited in their organs, including the brain and bloodstream. However, ocean pollution affects not only marine mammals but also many species of fish, including tuna and salmon, which accumulate toxic substances in their tissues. Unfortunately, mercury is not the only problem. The oceans are also flooded with other toxic substances, known as persistent organic pollutants – POPs, which further threaten human health and ecosystems,” he emphasized.
Adam Bešić is currently living in Thorshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, where he works with Professor Pál Weihe, a leading expert in the field of ecotoxicology and a visiting scholar at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Faroe Islands, with a population of around 50,000, are an ideal place to study the impact of pollution on human health.
Bešić says that, for the third year in a row, he has the honor of being a lecturer at the Summer School of Practical Ophthalmology at Charles University in Prague – a program that is rightly considered unique in Europe, and even in the world.
“This is an extremely selective summer school intended for medical students from different countries, who undergo a strict selection to attend this event. The program combines intensive practical exercises, simulations and interactive workshops, and brings together lecturers and experts from all over the world. As one of the youngest lecturers, it is especially important for me to have the opportunity not only to transfer knowledge, but also to design workshops that guide students through real clinical challenges in ophthalmology. Working in such an environment, where young ambitious minds from different parts of the world come to learn, discuss and research, is a source of inspiration and professional growth for me,” he emphasizes.
Adam Bešić has a sincere and strong desire to one day contribute to the development of medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially through connecting and working together with colleagues from his homeland.
“I have been trying to establish such a connection, on several occasions I have contacted medical students in Bosnia and Herzegovina and shared information about international workshops and congresses that they can apply to, precisely with the aim of opening themselves up to the world and learning something new. I can bring that back to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and apply it there. Unfortunately, I have not received a response so far, but I am still ready for cooperation through knowledge sharing, event organization or networking. Last year, I managed to bring to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and my hometown, the esteemed doctor and researcher Knud Josefsen from the Bartholin Institute in Denmark. He stayed with me for seven days, enjoyed the beauty of our nature, and expressed his desire to help the progress of medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future, as well as to contribute to local communities through medical assistance and counseling,” he emphasized.
Regardless of all the successes he achieved and the countries where he worked, Bosnia and Herzegovina and its people will always be a source of support and inspiration for Adam Bešić.
“The connection with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the hometown of Bosanska Otok, will always be my foundation. I grew up in Otoka, along the banks of the Una, it is my original place, my identity,” he pointed out.
He told the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially young people, to ‘keep your authenticity, be persistent and open to new knowledge’.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has enormous potential, and its people are its greatest wealth,” stressed Adam Bešić, and for the purposes of this text, provided photos from his personal archive to Fena.
