About

How does a boy from Mladenovac, Serbia  end up living in Basel, Switzerland? It includes chance, luck, some tough decisions and a journey with many twists & unexpected turns. Made you curious? Read on.

I was born in Mladenovac, Serbia, and from the start, I had more grit than common sense—though in my case, the two were pretty much the same thing. Quick-tongued, stubborn enough to argue with my own shadow, and brave in that particular way that makes a man try things everyone else is smart enough to avoid—that was me in a nutshell. My little brother, Dušan, with the mischief of a fox and the comedic timing of a poet, christened me “Zmaj” after we watched a Bugs Bunny cartoon where Yosemite Sam declared, “Dragons are very stupid people.” I was both flattered and mildly insulted, but I wore the name like a badge. And just like that, Mladenovac had its own dragon—not the fire-breathing type, but the kind who could scorch you with a single comeback.

My life’s been neatly—and adventurously—divided into quarters, much like a pie at a family gathering where everyone’s eyeing the biggest slice. The first: my Serbian childhood, spent sharpening my curiosity and resilience in the heart of the Balkans. The second: my leap to the United States, where I honed my critical thinking and chemical know-how in the bustling world of pharmaceuticals—because honestly, who doesn’t like their coffee with a few molecules inside?

The third quarter took me to Switzerland—the land of precision, chocolate, cheese, and pharmaceutical perfection. Here, I’ve fine-tuned my craft, led teams, and driven innovation, all while keeping a bit of Balkan charm neatly tucked under my Swiss haircut.

Now I’m hunting for the perfect place for my life’s final quarter—somewhere with great food, lively conversation, and maybe a mountain or two to keep things interesting. Whether I’m tracking the budget, launching a new drug, or pondering my next stop, one certainty remains: I travel with heart, humor, and a suitcase full of stories.

I’ve worn many hats over the years—Executive, Entrepreneur, Investor, Artist, Scientist—and my life’s map is pinned with adventures from East Asia to the Mediterranean to Northern Europe. When I’m not planning business strategy or chasing the next big opportunity, you’ll find me painting, crafting woodwork, or soaking up the pure bliss of a live concert. My curiosity is the common thread—fueling both breakthroughs in pharmaceutical labs and adventures in the wild. At this point, I’ve learned that you really can mix business with pleasure, artistry with analysis, and maybe—just maybe—dragon fire with a well-timed punchline.