Dean’s Awards 2025

Michal Červenka successfully completed his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with an excellent grade point average of 1.16, ranking him among the top 6% of students. In his Bachelor thesis, he focused on partial differential equations, demonstrating a deep understanding beyond the normal curriculum and the ability to clearly present technical problems. As early as his final year undergraduate studies, he was approached as an outstanding student and was subsequently asked to lead two exercise groups in one of the foundation courses. Feedback from students and their comments in the course survey demonstrate that he has been very diligent and successful in his teaching.

Lucia Iľkovičová is an exceptionally talented student who can boast an excellent grade point average of 1.0. Thanks to her talents and extreme diligence, she quickly became familiar with the structural and interaction properties of the Tau protein and its homolog Map2c, which she studies using a combination of computational and experimental methods. She has made significant contributions to scientific publications and has presented at international conferences. She gained valuable experience during a foreign internship at the biotechnology company Geneton and is actively involved in mentoring and teaching younger students and in popularising science. Lucia is an inspiring personality and an exceptional representative of Masaryk University both at home and abroad.

During his scientific work, Patrik Matušů has developed into an independent and highly reliable expert in his field. In his Master’s thesis, he successfully addressed the challenging topic of neutrophil differentiation from cell lines and their comparison with cells isolated from peripheral blood. He has co-authored two papers, one of which is being prepared for publication in the prestigious journal Advanced Functional Materials. He further extended his experience during a research fellowship at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and was actively involved in teaching and supervising students. Patrik is one of the most successful students in his field and his scientific results have contributed to the development of applied biomedical research.

Gabriela Joanna Sečkářová has completed intensive studies on the use of scanning electron microscopes at the Department of Geological Sciences, where she demonstrated strong independence and the ability to quickly master a demanding protocol. She has shown exceptional adaptability in technically challenging situations and proposed effective alternative solutions. Her professional approach is exceptional at this academic level. Her thesis, written in excellent English, is clear and well-structured, and the presentation was engaging and concise. The study analysed 40 individuals from two Celtic communities in Moravia, revealing a varied diet based on cereals, meat and fruit.

Eliška Šranková is an exceptional student who, in addition to excellent grades, has made a significant contribution through her scientific work. In her research, she prepared new compounds based on furo[3,2-b]pyridine and made a major contribution to the identification of the MU1700 probe, recommended by the Structural Genomics Consortium as a cutting-edge tool for research on ALK1/2 kinases. This compound has been included in the portfolio of leading established suppliers and is now available to the global scientific community. Elisha’s achievements to date are a testament to her exceptional talent, diligence and scientific potential.

Radim Štůsek has demonstrated exceptional independence and analytical thinking and has shown a deep understanding of scientific problems since the beginning of his studies. By combining advanced knowledge of mathematics and programming, he has developed unique tools for automated data processing. Radim is the author of four high-impact scientific articles and has gained practical experience during internships abroad in Innsbruck. He completed his Master’s degree with a red diploma and was also awarded by the Director of the Department of Chemistry. In addition to being an excellent researcher within the GAMU project, Radim frequently co-organises Masaryk University’s science popularisation events (e.g. BIOSKOP, ViBuch, Night of Scientists).

During her studies, Lucie Švandová was heavily involved in research carried out at the Department of Plasma Physics and Technology, especially in the field of dielectric barrier discharges. While there, she received a Mitacs grant to support her research in the Canadian Cerma Student Scholarship Competition and was awarded the second-best oral presentation at the Journée de la Recherche en Sciences et Génie (AEGSEG) professional conference. She went on to present the results of her work at international conferences in the USA and Europe. She is actively involved in the academic and scientific community, is preparing new publications and helps organise popularisation activities for the Department.

Jakub Vácha demonstrated strong independence and professionalism during his Master’s studies and in the preparation of his thesis. During his studies he mastered the use of key laboratory instruments, including an electron microprobe, electron microscopes and a Raman spectrometer. In addition to his thesis studies, Jakub was involved in several mineralogical projects and regularly publishes his results in peer-reviewed journals and presents at conferences. His academic performance has been outstanding, having graduated with honours in his Master’s degree and ranking among the top 1% of students in his field. Jakub is actively involved in academic life, being a member of the Academic Senate and the SEG Society and is involved in the promotion of geology.

Ladislav Bartoš is the first author or co-author of five publications in impacted journals, including an article in Nature Communications (2023), where he contributed to the discovery of a new lipid, scramblase VDAC. His work provides fundamental insights into transport processes in membranes and has great potential for new drug development. Ladislav is an active member of several research teams, is a recipient of the MUNI Scientist 2024 award and is also involved in mentoring younger students.

Markéta Bosáková is also a Doctoral student at the University of Malaga. She specialises in acoustic and optical spectroscopy of laser-excited plasmas, with an emphasis on the simulation of Martian conditions in a unique thermovacuum chamber. Her research is related to the analysis of NASA calibration targets from the Mars 2020 mission and she has published in the journal Spectrochimica Acta. Her work was awarded as one of the best student presentations at the EMS LIBS conference. Markéta Bosáková is considered a key member of the UMA LASERLAB research team and a major contributor to international space research.

Karolína Bořánková’s dissertation, which focused on the role of mitochondrial dynamics in the pathogenesis of childhood tumours, led to the discovery of a mechanism for overcoming resistance in such tumours, a mechanism that has significant clinical potential. Her results have been published in top journals, including Cell Death & Disease, and her work has been listed as one of Springer Nature’s most interesting papers. During her Master’s studies, she received a grant from the Rector of Masaryk University in the category of Outstanding Master’s Thesis. She graduated with a red diploma in 2020 and was awarded the Dean’s Prize of the Faculty of Science the same year. The quality of Karolina’s scientific work is underlined by her award as Brno PhD Talent Finalist 2020.

Jakub Máčala’s was nominated due to the excellent results of his scientific work. His research focused on the use of different nanomaterials and nanoparticles for the design of optical bioanalytical systems. Jakub Máčal is the first author of two publications in the prestigious journal Analytical Chemistry and has developed unique instrumentation, which he provides to other colleagues. Jakub is known as a reliable and helpful mentor of younger students in the laboratory and is actively involved in the department’s popularisation activities. Following his graduation, he will continue his research at Masaryk University’s CEITEC Research Institute.

Jan Mičan has completed prestigious scientific internships at the Weizmann Institute and the University of Cambridge, where he participated in the development of drugs for strokes and Alzheimer’s disease. He has (co)authored several peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals and is the recipient of an IT4Innovations grant and a Brno PhD Talent Award. In addition to his research, Jan teaches and leads student projects and is the founder and organiser of the IBIS Interactive Biology Seminar. Jan Mičan is one of the most outstanding students of his generation and his work is an example of an excellent combination of science, teaching and popularisation.

Klára Panda is engaged in research on the evolution of plant chromosome structures and has completed two foreign internships in Germany and Argentina, where she gained advanced methodological experience. She is very active in publishing, with several articles in prestigious journals such as Annals of Botany and Scientific Reports, being first author on three of them. She is a successful investigator of GA CR projects and has received her own three-year Brno PhD Talent grant. Klára is also involved in teaching and organising professional conferences. For her achievements, she has been awarded the Dean’s Award for Masaryk University’s Faculty of Science and received the Dean’s Recognition for her thesis while at Mendel University.

Roman Přibyl has achieved excellent academic results and demonstrates a systematic and creative approach to scientific work. He is very conscientious and his ability to collaborate and contribute positively to a team environment is exceptional. Through his research, which focuses on the development of copper doped layers using a novel monomer, he has become highly proficient in modern diagnostic methods. Roman has published fourteen papers in international journals and has presented his work at several prestigious conferences. For his results, he received the 2021 award for the best undergraduate and graduate student.

In her dissertation, Barbora Rudzanová described the previously unknown effects of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on human immunity, as well as the different effects on male and female bodies, using challenging sequencing and advanced bioinformatics methods. Her research has contributed significantly to our understanding of the mechanisms by which these chemicals affect the immune system. Her results have been published in three prestigious journals, and her research has been recognised at a national level with the Prize of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic and the French Embassy Prize for Contribution to Environmental Sciences. The international significance of her results resulted in invitations to lecture at the PFAS Symposium organised by the University of Vienna and at the EUROTOX International Congress. In addition to her scientific activities, she is actively involved in the popularisation of science and representation of Masaryk University.

Lenka Skřápková's dissertation deals with structural crystallography, crystallography and mineralogy of important groups of tourmaline and allanite, which are of key importance as an indicator mineral and source of rare earth elements. She has co-authored three publications in the international journals Mineralogical Magazine and American Mineralogist. A PhD student, she is highly qualified in single crystal diffraction, and furthered her qualifications during a fellowship in Italy at the prestigious Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra at La Sapienza University.

Miloslav Štěpán has achieved excellent academic results and is a prominent personality in the field of two-dimensional algebra. In his Master’s thesis, Miloslav focused on previously under-explored but important lax algebras and morphisms, producing original results concerning factorisation systems, dual categories and lax adjunctions. The results of his work have already led to two separate publications in the prestigious journal Theory and Applications of Categories, both of which have the potential to significantly influence future developments in the field. Miloslav actively participates in international conferences and is highly valued as a lecturer by his students. His achievements to date demonstrate an exceptional talent for theoretical mathematics and a deep understanding of the problems under investigation.

Jitka Vaculíková is an exceptional student of the Doctoral programme in Genomics and Proteomics, whose scientific results and teaching activities contribute significantly to the prestige of Masaryk University. Her research focuses on the analysis of protein structures, along with their interactions and post-translational modifications. Among her greatest achievements is the introduction of the SUMO assay method, which she learned during an internship in Vienna, which has since led to international collaborations. She has published articles in prestigious journals, such as The Plant Cell and Plant Journal and regularly presents at international conferences. In addition to research, she is actively involved in teaching and mentoring students, further strengthening the academic environment of the university.

For almost fifty years, Jiří Doškař has played a major role in shaping and advancing the field of molecular biology. His expertise, enthusiasm for education and exceptional communication skills have long inspired students and colleagues alike, helping them to navigate the world of science. He has devoted himself to all aspects of the work of a university professor with care and rigour, from teaching and developing course materials, to mentoring students, conducting his own research and organisational activities. Jiří has held several important positions, including Head of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Deputy Director of the Institute of Experimental Biology and President of the Gregor Mendel Genetics Society. He has been awarded a number of prestigious honours for his scientific and teaching activities, including the Edward Babák Memorial Medal and the Patoček Medal for his contribution to medical microbiology.

Miloslava Fojtová has long been a respected and highly valued teacher, whose teaching in the field of genomics is distinguished by its clarity, systematic approach and emphasis on open dialogue and respect. Her ability to create a safe and motivating environment facilitates both the professional and personal growth of students across disciplines. She actively responds to feedback and is continually bringing innovation to her teaching e.g., by redesigning the Methods in Genomics course to meet current scientific trends and student needs. She has played a significant role in popularising science, educating the professional community and supporting young talent, including the supervision of successful diploma and Bachelor’s theses with publication outputs. Her exceptional blend of teaching and research activity brings lasting benefits to the faculty and her students and makes her an inspiring figure in academia.

Jan Havliš stands out, not only for his expertise but also for his deep interest in students and the quality of teaching. He teaches a wide range of subjects, ranging from bioanalytics to interlinguistics, and is actively involved in the development of the faculty and the university, both as a Member of the Academic Senate and Chair of the Legislative Committee. Jan also plays an important role in the National Centre for the Study of Biomolecules, where he is involved in the field of genomics and proteomics. His teaching is characterised by its clear explanatory structure, linking theory with practice, and his open communication with students, which has made him highly popular and respected. His long-term contribution, along with his innovative approach and willingness to go above-and-beyond his normal duties, makes him an ideal candidate for the Outstanding Teacher Award.

Jaromír Šimša is engaged in two main education activities, the preparation of future mathematics teachers and preparation of Mathematical Olympiads at both national and international level. He is co-author of several major mathematics textbooks, teaches a course in didactics of mathematics for Master’s students and has successfully supervised numerous Bachelor’s and Master’s theses, mostly intended for secondary school teachers and future Mathematical Olympiad competitors. From 2000–2019, he chaired the Central Committee of the Mathematical Olympiad in the Czech Republic. For his work in the Mathematical Olympiad, he received the prestigious international Paul Erdös Award in 2020 for his significant contribution to the enrichment of mathematics education in the Czech Republic and the Mathematical Medal of the Union of Czech Mathematicians and Physicists in 2024.
His main contribution to the faculty community lies in his work with young talent and his involvement in the Mathematical Olympiad, through which he has popularised science and spread the faculty's reputation.