Dr.Sci

Shpend Haxhibeqiri

Profile

Ass. Dr. Shpend Haxhibeqiri is a specialized psychiatrist and active researcher in the field of forensic psychiatry, with broad clinical, academic, and research experience. He currently serves as Director of the Institute of Forensic Psychiatry at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK) and lectures at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Prishtina as well as at AAB College.

Education and Academic Qualifications

• Postdoctoral Fellowship and Research in Mental Health, University of Illinois Chicago, USA
• PhD in Medical Sciences, University “Sveučilište Mostar,” Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Specialist in Psychiatry, University Clinical Center of Kosovo
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Faculty of Medicine

Professional Engagements

• Director, Institute of Forensic Psychiatry of Kosovo (2021 – present)
• Acting Head, New Socialization Ward, IPFK (2015–2021)
• Psychiatrist Specialist, IPFK (2014–2015)
• Assistant, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina (2019 – present)
• Lecturer, AAB College (2018 – present)
• Resident Psychiatrist, Psychiatry Clinic, UCCK (2010–2014)
• Emergency Physician, Regional Hospital of Mitrovica (2006–2008)
• Project Assistant / Medical Translator, World Health Organization (WHO) (2000–2002)

Skills and Languages

• Languages: Albanian (native), English, German, Serbian – all fluent
• IT Skills: Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Internet, program design and project management
• Other: Strong leadership, organizational, negotiation skills, and liaison with international agencies

Memberships

• Secretary General, Association of Psychiatrists of Kosovo (since 2013)
• Member of ResearchGate, Berlin, Germany

Selected Publications

• Weber, H., Maihofer, A. X., … Haxhibeqiri, S., et al. (2022). Association of polygenic risk scores, traumatic life events and coping strategies with war-related PTSD. Journal of Neural Transmission, 129(5), 661–674.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-021-02408-1
• Haxhibeqiri, S., Haxhibeqiri, V., Agani, F., et al. (2019). Association of neuropeptide S receptor 1 and glutamate decarboxylase 1 gene polymorphisms with PTSD. Psychiatria Danubina, 31(2), 249–255.  https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2019.249
• Jaksic, N., Jakovljevic, M., Haxhibeqiri, S., et al. (2019). FKBP5 and CRHR1 polymorphisms in relation to war-related PTSD. Psychiatria Danubina, 31(2), 269–275. https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2019.269
• Ziegler, C., Wolf, C., Schiele, M. A., Haxhibeqiri, S., et al. (2018). Hypermethylation of MAO-A gene in PTSD. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 28(S1), S73–S74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.12.103
• Haxhibeqiri, V., Haxhibeqiri, S., Topciu-Shufta, V., Agani, F., et al. (2019). COMT and IL-6 gene polymorphisms in PTSD. Psychiatria Danubina, 31(2), 241–248. https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2019.241
• Feric, A., Kucukalic, S., Dzubur Kulenovic, A., Haxhibeqiri, S., et al. (2019). NPY and BDNF genes in PTSD. Psychiatria Danubina, 31(2), 227–234. https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2019.227
• Kucukalic, S., Feric, E., Babic, R., Haxhibeqiri, S., et al. (2019). Genetic susceptibility to PTSD. Psychiatria Danubina, 31(2), 219–226. https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2019.219
• Uka, A., Agani, F., Blyta, A., Wolf, C., Hoxha, B., Haxhibeqiri, S., et al. (2019). HTR1A and TPH2 genes in PTSD. Psychiatria Danubina, 31(2), 256–262. https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2019.256
• Hoxha, B., Uka, A., Agani, F., Vyshka, G., Haxhibeqiri, S., et al. (2019). DRD2 and DRD4 polymorphisms in PTSD. Psychiatria Danubina, 31(2), 263–268. https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2019.263
• Ziegler, C., Wolf, C., Schiele, M., Feric, E., Kucukalic, S., Haxhibeqiri, S., et al. (2018). MAO-A methylation and PTSD. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 21(5), 423–432.  https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyx111
• Babic, D., & Haxhibeqiri, S. (2021). Medical Psychology (University textbook). University of Mostar. ISBN 978-9958-16-169-8
• Babic, D., & Haxhibeqiri, S. (2020). Psihologija u medicini i zdravstvu (University textbook). University of Mostar. ISBN 978-9958-16-136-0