On Monday, January 30, we welcomed a very pleasant visitor to our workplace in Kobylisy, Ms. Helena Langšádlová, Minister of Science, Research, and Innovation.
The minister’s first steps led her to the Bioelectrodynamics research team, where Michal Cifra presented research into the interaction of electromagnetic fields with organisms at the cellular and molecular level for new approaches in nanotechnology and biomedical diagnostics and therapy. Together with his colleague Daniel Havelka, they also presented a new piece of equipment – a subterahertz station for testing microfluidic chips. In the Fiber Lasers and Non-linear Optics Laboratory, the Minister was interested in the use of lasers and optical fibers in industry. She listened with interest to information about the TALOS project funded by the European Defense Agency, focused on a new generation of air defense, for which ÚFE has developed an active optical fiber and is coordinating work on a high-power fiber laser. She then visited the Nano Optics team’s laboratory, which recently received an award from the Academy of Sciences for its outstanding results in research, experimental development, and innovation. Marek Pilliarik pointed out the successful synergy between basic research and technology transfer to the industrial sector and the training of highly qualified experts. Jiří Homola and Markéta Bocková presented their research on Optical Biosensors with surface plasmons to the minister and discussed with her the possibilities of applying biosensors in medicine, especially in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative and tumor diseases.
The minister did not miss the opportunity for informal discussions. Young scientists discussed several topics specific to the beginning of a scientific career with her in a friendly atmosphere, e.g., they analyzed the reasons that helped them start their doctoral studies and scientific careers, described their experiences with internships abroad and their availability, and shared their insights on the working conditions of doctoral and postdoctoral students in relation to starting a family and motherhood, as well as their experiences with applying for grants.
During her visit, the Minister particularly appreciated the comprehensive multidisciplinary approach ranging from basic research to addressing social challenges in important areas such as healthcare, and the workplace’s efforts to transfer research findings into practice.
