On Tuesday, September 30, Deputy Minister for Science, Research, and Innovation Pavel Doleček presented the Government Award for Gifted Students for 2024 at the Hrzánský Palace in Prague. The Government Award is presented in three categories to secondary school, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and interest in research or scientific work. Congratulations to our doctoral student from the Loschmidt Laboratories, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Daniel Pluskal, on winning the Government Award for Gifted Students!
"All the award winners deserve our sincere thanks not only for their work, but also for reminding us why it makes sense to support science. Science teaches young people perseverance, problem solving, critical thinking, and often produces results that affect us all. The award winners are a great inspiration to their classmates, colleagues, teachers, and society as a whole," said Pavel Doleček, Deputy Minister for Science, Research, and Innovation, during the ceremony.
Our doctoral student Daniel Pluskal also received the highest government award for young researchers for his achievements in research in 2024.
Daniel Pluskal studied biochemistry at the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University, where he is now pursuing his doctoral studies at the Loschmidt Laboratories at the Institute of Experimental Biology and the RECETOX Center, focusing on research into bioluminescence and its practical applications.
He has been awarded the Czech Learned Society Prize and has published multiple articles in the prestigious journals Nature Catalysis, Nature Communications, and ACS Catalysis. He is the co-author of international patents and enjoys popularizing science, playing historical musical instruments, and performing medieval and folk music.
"This award is an extraordinary recognition for young scientists for their scientific work, for promoting science, and also for motivating future students to pursue scientific careers. All three award winners have already achieved truly remarkable results: they publish, engage in teaching activities, and collaborate with students and organizations abroad.
The talent, abilities, and knowledge that these award-winning students undoubtedly possess were probably given to them by nature and their families, but I am convinced that educational institutions, their teachers, and mentors, who guide these young people, motivate them, and open doors to knowledge and help them in their field of research, played a significant role in cultivating and directing their interest in science," said the Vice-Chair of the Czech Rectors' Conference and Rector of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in her laudatory speech. open doors to knowledge for them, and help them in their field of research," said Ingeborg Radok Žádná, Vice-Chair of the Czech Rectors' Conference and Rector of the Academy of Performing Arts, in her laudatory speech.
A total of 57 students were nominated for the 2024 Government Award for Gifted Students. The high number and quality of the nominations are convincing proof that scientific activity is becoming a natural part of young people's lives during their studies.
Along with the families of the award-winning students, the ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Office of the President of the Republic and parliamentary committees for science and education, the chairpersons of the Grant and Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, members of the Council for Research, Development and Innovation, leading representatives of ministries, and prominent representatives of the academic community.
Photo: Office of the Government of the Czech Republic
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