Tell us something about yourself:
I began with my studies at the primary school Třešť and continued at GOB and SOŠ Telč. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at UCT Prague, and from both the Physical Chemistry master’s and doctoral study programmes (also at UCT Prague). Out of curiosity and the desire to sniff out more humanely tuned subjects, I added to the doctorate and successfully completed the bachelor's degree in Teaching Vocational Subjects. I have already officially graduated. But there is still something to learn, so right now I'm studying the possibilities and principles of applying thin active (bio)films on polymeric materials. Since the 2nd year of my studies at UCT Prague, I have been participating in projects in the Laboratory of Membrane Separation Processes (Doc. Friess, Department of Physical Chemistry, FCHI, UCT Prague). As part of internships abroad, I worked for 6 months at the ITM-CNR membrane institute in Italy and for 5 months at the FujiFilm research center in the Netherlands. Now I am partially employed at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague as an assistant professor and at the same time I lead membrane research in the R&D startup CCORE Technology GmbH in Vienna. From my high school years, I would mention the Recognition of the City of Telč, which reflected a number of successful placements at the Science and Technology Olympiads. For my diploma thesis dealing with polymers with internal microporosity, I was awarded the Unipetrol Award, the Crytur Award 2014, the Werner von Siemens Award and the Josef Hlávka Award. In the field of popularization, I was awarded the Audience Award and the Award of the British Council and the civic association ADETO within the Famelab ČR competition, and the Audience and Jury Prize in the Science Section of “Diplomky na stojáka”. As part of the conference presentations, I received the European Membrane Society Travel Award, the Journal of Applied Polymer Science Poster Prize and the Student Poster Presentation Award at the Advanced Membrane Technology VII Conference four times (Cork, Ireland), the Rector’s Award of UCT Prague for the best lecture at the Mempur conference in Pardubice, the Dekonta a.s. for interesting work on environmental issues at the CHISA conference. For the excellent promotion of UCT Prague and the representation of students, I was awarded the Rector's Award of UCT Prague and at the end of my studies I received the Award of the Minister of Education in 2018.
What do you like most about working as a scientist?
I enjoy the freedom in designing solutions, which is only limited by the laws of nature. Unfortunately, it seems to me that this natural effort to discover how the nature works that scientists have is spoiled by wrong evaluation and financing system. That often leads to a diluted and populist approach, which lowers the practical or fundamental value of the published information. The information is sometimes published only to assure further financing, even though more research and verification should be done. Unfortunately, I am usually not patient, so I am more susceptible to this than many other scientists are. Therefore, right now I gravitate more towards the applied research. Where “unfortunately” the freedom is partially restricted by the reality, such as time availability, applicability and last but not least the affordability. Despite that, such work is full of improvisation, being at the edge of the knowledge and it is highly competitive on an international scale, which enables to get to know many interesting people and countries.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement(s) to date?
Combining science, student and family life. Contributing a few pieces of the puzzle to explain the aging and separation properties of polymers with internal microporosity, which offer unique properties for membrane separation of gases and vapors; co-founding of the Association of Student Clubs and Senates at UCT Prague; and the birth of my son (even though I did not directly participate in his birth).
Why do you prefer science to the commercial sphere?
As the first step towards science, I decided to pursue a doctorate due to the opportunity to work creatively. I am currently on the border between the academic and commercial spheres, because I think it is important that researchers and teachers at the university have experience in industry so that they can prepare students with a more comprehensive view of the matter. And there I see my future over time…
What would you say to those who are thinking about doing a PhD at UCT Prague?
If you are not sure if you would rather go work outside academia, a year in industry on your CV and then a completed doctorate is still better than a year of an unfinished doctorate. If you decide to pursue a doctorate, then be careful when you are choosing your future workplace. It is definitely not wrong to do a doctorate under a different supervisor than you had during your previous studies. This decision will influence your life for at least :-) four years. Therefore, it is important that you click not only with the research topic but with the supervisor and workplace (ask current students). Finally yet importantly, your financial situation should be taken care of, which means additional financing from research grants. The necessity of having a part-time job outside your studies would definitely not help you to finish your doctorate earlier.