Adéla Koryťáková
Tell us about yourself:
At UCT Prague I completed the bachelor’s and master’s programme Drug Analysis at the Department of Analytical Chemistry. I am now studying the doctoral programme Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials at the Department of Chemical Engineering. As part of my PhD I also collaborate with the company Zentiva, k.s., and I belong to The Parc research group, which enables PhD students to work across academia and industry. Last year, as part of my doctoral studies, I completed a three-month internship at the University of Copenhagen.
What do you enjoy most about being a scientist?
I like that research is never routine. It makes you develop patience, teaches you to work with others and gives you space for creative thinking and finding new solutions. I also enjoy the feeling when a problem comes up and I manage to solve it.
What do you consider your greatest achievements so far?
Above all, gaining more independence and self-confidence in a field that was completely new to me before I started my PhD. I think my internship abroad helped with that too, as it showed me things from a different angle.
Why did you choose research over industry?
I stayed in research because I had the opportunity to collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry while gaining experience in academia – I wanted to see how research works. You can move into industry at any time later, but I feel that if I wanted to return to research after a break, it would not be as easy as continuing straight after my master’s.
What would you say to those considering a PhD at UCT Prague?
If further study appeals to you and you don’t see a PhD just as a way to avoid looking for a job, find out what your options are – and above all, don’t be afraid to change your supervisor or working environment. I think the supervisor plays a key role in successfully completing your studies, both in terms of motivation and funding. A PhD is also a great opportunity to travel, whether on an internship abroad or to conferences.
What qualities do you think set a successful PhD student apart from others?
I think a successful PhD student is persistent and motivated to finish. In my view, a PhD is not only about the knowledge you gain, but above all about the ability to learn from your own mistakes and to keep going even when things don’t go to plan.