Profile

As part of my doctorate in the Department of Prevention research and Social Medicine (Prof. Dr. Wurm), I am working as a Research Associate on the AgeHearing-QoL project, which investigates psychosocial factors influencing the quality of life of aging people with hearing loss. Within this framework, I focus on identifying key determinants such as subjective aging experience, adaptability, perceived stress, and social support, and on developing an intervention programme targeting these factors.
In a six-month intervention study, we examine how the early use of hearing aids combined with psychosocial training can improve quality of life for people aged 40 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss. The project aims to generate evidence-based recommendations for early care, with the goal of strengthening social participation, preventing comorbidities such as dementia and depression, and improving overall well-being among older adults.

Vita

Since 10/2025
Research Associate and PhD Candidate, Department for Prevention Research and Social Medicine, Institute of Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald
Grant holder within the framework of the Collaborative Doctoral Partnership program at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission

02/2025 – 09/2025
Senior Research Coordinator, Shroeder Institute, Allergy and Immunology, McMaster, Canada

2022-2025
Research Coordinator, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Canada

2022-2024
Research and Evidence Synthesis Consultant, Hemalytic Inc., Canada

2021-2022
Graduate Teaching Assistant, McMaster University, Canada
Research Assistant (III), ENVISAGE Study, McMaster University, Canada

2020-2020
Summer Research Assistant, WestPark healthcare Centre, Toronto, Canada

2020-2022
Study of Health Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences (MSc.), McMaster University, Canada

2015-2019
Study of Honours Kinesiology (BSc.), McMaster University, Canada
Study of Health, Aging, and Society (Minor)., McMaster University, Canada

Honours and Awards

McMaster University – MSc Rehabilitation Science 
• The Diane & Colin Wood Bursary in Respiratory Health, McMaster (2022), $4000 
• Master’s Research Scholarship, McMaster (2021), $10,000 
• Rehabilitation Sciences Departmental Scholarship, McMaster (2021), $5000 
• Master’s Research Scholarship, McMaster (2020), $10,000 
• Rehabilitation Sciences Departmental Scholarship, McMaster (2020), $5000 

McMaster University – Honours BSc Kinesiology 
• Croatian Fraternal Union Scholarship Recipient (2018), $1000 USD 
• Croatian Fraternal Union Scholarship Recipient (2015), $1000 USD 
• McMaster Entrance Scholarship (2015), $750  

Current Research Project

AgeHearing-QoL. Psychosocial factors for the quality of life of aging adults with hearing loss: New approaches to care

Publications 2022 - 2024

Novak-Pavlic, M., Grgić, V., Vlašić, K., Ilicic, A. M., Dežmar, D., Abramović, I., … Rosenbaum, P. (2024). Examining the impact and implementation of the ENabling VISions and Growing Expectations (ENVISAGE) program in Croatia: a discourse analysis pilot study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2375436

Ilicic, AM., Brooks, D., Kho, M., Goldstein, R., Oliveira, A., Maria, A., Brooks, D., Kho, M., Goldstein, R., & Oliveira, A. (2023). Cough Assessment and Management in Pulmonary Rehabilitation – A Canadian Survey Cough Assessment and Management in Pulmonary Rehabilitation – A. COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 0(0), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15412555.2022.2141622

Ilicic, AM, Oliveira A, Habash R, Kang Y, Kho M, Goldstein R and Brooks D (2022) Non-pharmacological Management of Non-productive Chronic Cough in Adults: A Systematic Review. Front. Rehabilit. Sci. 3:905257. doi: 10.3389/fresc.2022.905257

Publications

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