Australian appointed head of Croatia's top science institute for third term

David Matthew Smith, an Australian national, has made history by being appointed director of the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB), Croatia's largest scientific institution, for an unprecedented third consecutive term. This achievement has drawn media attention, highlighting the rarity of a foreign national holding such a prominent position in Croatian science.

Originally from Orange, Australia, Smith earned his degrees in computational chemistry from the Australian National University. He now identifies as a "Croatian Australian," speaks Croatian fluently, and holds Croatian citizenship. His move to Croatia was initially motivated by love, and he has since become an avid supporter of Croatian sports, even playing Australian football and cricket for Croatia.

Smith's repeated appointment underscores his leadership and the trust placed in him by the institution. His background and integration into Croatian society add a unique dimension to his role, bridging his international origins with his commitment to advancing scientific research within Croatia.