Nina Nováková

Tell us something about yourself:

I’m currently in the third year of my PhD at the Department of Chemical Engineering, where I focus on spray drying of bioactive compounds and their potential use in fighting bacterial biofilms. Besides my research, I also enjoy being involved in university activities. I lead the Electronic PhD Guide team and I'm a member of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering. In my free time, I enjoy going for walks and I'm a big fan of Sudoku.

What do you like most about working as a scientist?

What I enjoy most is that there's always something new to learn and opportunities to look at things from different perspectives. I also like that research gives me the chance to travel to conferences, meet people from different fields, and learn about what they're working on. It often introduces me to topics I wouldn't otherwise come across. 

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement(s) so far?

I think one of my biggest achievements so far is finding activities at the university that I genuinely enjoy and feel comfortable doing. Through these activities, I've met many great people and gained new experiences.

Why did you choose science over the commercial sector?

During my bachelor's and master's studies, I realized how much I enjoyed research. I liked having the freedom to decide which direction to take my experiments and to try new things. I also had the opportunity to work in a diagnostic laboratory during my studies, but I missed that freedom and the opportunity for personal growth. So continuing in research felt like a natural choice for me. 

What would you say to those who are thinking about doing a PhD at UCT Prague?

If you enjoy research and want to develop your skills further, I'd definitely encourage you to go for it. However, I'd recommend taking your time when choosing your supervisor and research group, as the people you work with can have a big impact on how much you enjoy your PhD. I'd also encourage you to get involved in activities beyond your own research. A PhD offers plenty of opportunities for personal growth as well.

In addition to your research, you’re actively involved in improving conditions for doctoral candidates at the UCT. What led you to this, and what would you like to change within the doctoral community in the future?

Mainly the fact that, when I started my PhD, I realized just how many things I didn't know. It's not always clear where to find the information you need or who to turn to for help. That's why I got involved in the Electronic PhD Guide, where we try to make it a little easier for other PhD students to navigate their studies. In the future, I'd love to see PhD students connect more with each other, share their experiences, and not have to figure out the same problems on their own.