Tell us something about yourself:
I come from Potvorov, which is a small village in the Plzeň region. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Micro and Nano Technologies in Chemical Engineering (2011–2014). I spent one year of my studies at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium (2014–2015) through the Erasmus+ programme and then I completed a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering (2014–2017) at UCT Prague. I am currently working and studying in the Chemical and Process Engineering doctoral study programme.
What do you like most about working as a scientist?
During my studies, I participated in several internships abroad. In 2016, I dealt with the development and quality control of protective sun creams at Universidade Estadua, Câmpus de Araraquara in Brazil. In 2019, I got a place at McGill University in Canada where I tested an enzyme-substrate system and its antibacterial effects.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement(s) to date?
During my studies, I received the Crytur award for the best diploma thesis (2017) and I also received the award of the sponsor Medicem technology s.r.o. at the student scientific conference (2013).
Why do you prefer science to the commercial sphere?
Working in research has broadened my horizons, helped me penetrate the scientific sphere and find the direction I want to take in the future. I am surrounded by people who understand their work and sacrifice a lot of their time. However, the reward for maximum effort is a result that is important not only for themselves but also for society as a whole. The reward for the maximum effort is then a result, that is relevant not only for them, but for the whole society. The desire to know and invent new things unites members of the academic community and moves forward not only them but also humanity as such. I am proud to be part of a project that focuses on the production of an antibacterial agent that is the product of a reaction between an enzyme and a substrate. Using special techniques, we store the enzyme and substrate separately. Based on the selected impulse, they are released, react with each other and form an active substance, which then acts at the site of need.
What would you say to those who are thinking about doing a PhD at UCT Prague?
After successfully completing my master's degree, I preferred science to the commercial sphere, because I was inspired by the environment in which I worked on my diploma thesis. I enjoyed working with colleagues, the opportunity to travel and explore the science and research environment in other countries, and the exchange of information and experience. An important incentive to apply for doctoral studies was a recommendation from Professor Štěpánek, under whose guidance I am very happy to work. If you are considering enrolling in a doctoral degree, I highly recommend it. This will give you a unique opportunity to work with extremely intelligent people, in an environment that motivates you to constantly improve and work as best you can to achieve the set goal.