Martina Martinková (née Nová)

Tell us about yourself:

My name is Martina, and I graduated in Water Technology from the Faculty of Environmental Technology in 2023. For a year I worked completely outside UCT Prague, but after a year I came back and am now doing a PhD at the Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering. I came back because the situation at work was very unstable, and the university offered me very interesting projects that I can work on for very decent money (when I include the scholarship).

What do you enjoy most about being a scientist?

I enjoy that everyone says “wow, you must be really good”. I also enjoy feeling a bit like Amy from The Big Bang Theory. But what matters most to me is that I can be an expert on certain topics and that people are interested in my opinion precisely because I’m a scientist. Thanks to my work as a scientist, I can help popularise environmental topics and fight greenwashing and misinformation.

What do you consider your greatest achievements so far?

My greatest scientific achievement so far is that I managed to graduate from UCT Prague despite two deaths in my close family and the psychological problems associated with them. That I took part in research whose results went straight into practice and a product was brought to market, and that I successfully publish popular-science articles on environmental topics.

Why did you choose research over industry?

Because at that moment the situation at work was very uncertain and I didn’t feel secure. Personally, I’m thinking about returning to the private sector in the future, because certain aspects of academia don’t suit me.

What would you say to those considering a PhD at UCT Prague?

Only apply for a PhD if you have a secure place on a funded project. Otherwise you’ll barely scrape by and your potential will be nowhere near appreciated.

What led you to get involved in Researchers’ Night, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I love science communication and enjoy getting involved in all similar activities. Raising public awareness of environmental topics based on practice and research data is very important.