Mentors

• how to cope with studying abroad
• help choosing the right career path after graduation (start-up, science, industry)
• time management and project management
• learning how to meet the right people for your career
• how to create synergy between diverse activities

Adam is a scientist, (un)successful start-up entrepreneur, business developer, and founder of a Swiss non-profit organization. In his first year of studying analytical chemistry at Masaryk University, he began conducting research—using imaging mass spectrometry to measure heavy metals in tapeworms. During an internship in Germany, he focused more on biology and the analysis of neuropeptides in mouse brains using MALDI. His desire to explore the world took him to Switzerland for seven years, where he published ten scientific papers during his doctorate, learned to understand a different mentality, and realized his own self-worth.
 
"It's amazing how different we all are and how we all have different paths." However, it is not always easy to find and persevere on that path, and with his experience, he will be happy to help you find your path after graduation, whether it leads to a foreign university, a corporation, or your own start-up.

• science communication
• personal PR
• career change from scientist to science journalist
• international internships (Fulbright at Northwestern University in Chicago, summer internship at EMBL in Heidelberg)

Pavla originally thought she would become a scientist. She studied clinical biochemistry and chemistry teaching at the University of Chemistry and Technology and completed her PhD in neuroscience at the Third Faculty of Medicine at Charles University.
However, during her Fulbright scholarship in the US, she realized that instead of conducting research in a laboratory and "searching for a cure for Alzheimer's," she wanted to devote herself more to science communication. She now works as a freelance science journalist, writing most frequently for WIRED.CZ magazine and co-hosting the program Žárovky (Light Bulbs) on Český rozhlas Dvojka radio. 
This year, she published a book entitled Neviditelné ženy ve vědě (Invisible Women in Science), which contains twelve inspiring interviews with Czech female scientists and many interesting facts and data, for example about how women were often "invisible" even to the research itself. 
She also communicates science on social media, writes a newsletter, and is the co-author of the first book on science communication in Czech. In 2024, she received a government award for science communication.

• Providing personalized guidance to help navigate academic and career pathways in food science
• Offering the mentorship I personally missed earlier in my academic journey, especially in identifying clear directions within food science
• Assisting with course selection, scholarships, research opportunities, and professional networking
• Supporting career development in areas such as research, industry roles, and interdisciplinary pathways
• Encouraging confidence-building, critical thinking, and informed decision-making
• Creating an inclusive, supportive mentor–mentee relationship that promotes mutual learning and growth

I’m Sheba Sunny Marottickal, an aspiring food scientist and Erasmus Mundus Fellow whose journey has been driven by curiosity, resilience, and a passion for connecting science with people. Originally from India, my path has taken me across continents, cultures, and disciplines. I started with a BTech in Food Technology (Engineering honours degree), then pursued the Erasmus Mundus Danube AgriFood Master’s programme in sustainable agriculture and food systems, experiences that deepened both my technical expertise and global perspective.
Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of working with international development partners as a Youth Ambassador for the Asian Development Bank’s Asia and Pacific Youth Symposium, where I moderated panel discussions alongside UNICEF and Plan International representatives, amplifying youth voices in climate and food policy dialogues.
I’m also the founder of Food+ (formerly Quickfoodtech), a platform dedicated to blending food science, sustainability, and storytelling — hosting webinars, workshops, and community events that explore how innovation can transform food systems.
Public speaking, mentoring, and student engagement have become some of my most meaningful roles. I’ve spoken honestly about the challenges and triumphs of pursuing international education and career paths and have mentored students in research, career planning, and interdisciplinary exploration.
If you’re curious about how science, sustainability, and creativity intersect or figuring out your next academic or professional step, I’d be delighted to support you as a mentor and guide.

• Methodological support during studies
• Expert advice in the above-mentioned fields
• Motivation to study

Professionally, I work as the deputy director for theoretical teaching at a secondary school, and I am also involved as a methodologist and lecturer at NPI ČR and a lecturer in pedagogy. I studied Chemistry and Environmental Protection Technology at the Faculty of Chemistry at Brno University of Technology, and then continued my studies in the doctoral program in Hygiene, Preventive Medicine, and Epidemiology at the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University in Brno. I then studied English at the Faculty of Education and Philosophy and completed an MBA at the University of St. Francis in Chicago.

In my free time, I devote myself to self-education, traveling, and studying languages.

• sharing experience from the industry and chemistry of compostable plastics
• explaining the particle foam processing process
• time management
• work-life balance

Luděk decided to pursue chemistry while still in elementary school, which is why he enrolled in a specialized chemical vocational school with a high school diploma at the then state-owned company SILON. After graduating from the University of Chemistry and Technology with a focus on polymers, he started working there. After two years, he moved to the large chemical company BASF, where he has been working for more than 25 years.  He started as a sales and technical representative for polyurethane foams in the Czech Republic. Gradually, he was given responsibility for other sales regions and products, and he is currently responsible for a large part of Europe.
 
His main job is to find new customers and take care of existing ones, with whom he also works on developing new applications. These are mainly orders for the automotive industry. First, it must be verified whether the part is even manufacturable, then the design and specific form are modified. "So you could say that we work together on the development of a new application and then collaborate on the production of a trial prototype series."
 
And why does Luděk want to get involved in mentoring? "Well, for one thing, I want to try something new, and for another, I miss the University of Chemistry and Technology, where I studied."

• how to put together a CV, how to prepare for an interview
• project management, grant preparation
• work-life balance
• colloidal chemistry and nanoparticles synthesis
• introducing them to people in the field

• Rozvoj vedoucích schopností v rámci projektů: koučování v oblasti komunikace, řízení zainteresovaných stran a rozhodování.
• Řízení projektů a rizik: hledání dopadu.
• Prosperita v globálním a multikulturním prostředí.

• presentation skills and effective communication 
• orientation in the corporate environment and job search 
• insight into the functioning of the pharmaceutical industry 
• scientific positions in the pharmaceutical industry 
• CV writing, publication writing, moving abroad for work 
• communication with corporate and academic management at all levels 
• leadership and (de)motivation 
• horizontal management of people and teams (project work) 
• structured project management 
• crisis management and highlighting team successes 
• risk and opportunity analysis and risk/opportunity management 
• decision making (not only in projects) 
• how to "sell" your innovative ideas even to conservative management 

• Creation of teaching materials, presentations, and videos; advice on how to incorporate modern approaches into teaching and social media
• Support for the development of presentation and communication skills, which are key to conveying scientific knowledge and popularizing chemistry and other fields
• Practical advice on how to popularize science online and offline, including building your own educational brand
• Inspiration and tips on how to teach chemistry in an interesting way even without experiments
• Sharing my own experiences with establishing and running an educational company

• Discussion about career opportunities (science/industry/start-ups and other options)
• Help with identifying and setting up potential start-ups
• Contacts at innovative companies in the field of biotechnology

• presentation skills and effective communication, critical thinking and analysis
• orientation in the corporate environment, insight into the functioning of the pharmaceutical industry
• stakeholder management, technical project management
• horizontal people management - Matrix arrangement
• "Right-track" decision-making, negotiation and advocacy skills, psychology of negotiation and motivation

• insight into and sharing of experiences from scientific and research practice
• gaining contacts in the field
• preparation for selection procedures from the perspective of both the applicant and the employer (in the Czech Republic and abroad)

• how to build a company from scratch
• retail at national and international level
• food production
• insider view of building a company with legal implications

• gain insight into the corporate environment
• discuss options for starting your career
• advise on how to write a cover letter and resume

• Leadership: how to maintain team continuity? How to set up a motivating group environment? How to find balance between freedom and rules?
• Event management: how to make and run a good event?
• Design process: how to create a cult service/product/process? How to invent/innovate/create something new. How to make it not an average thing, but a thing that is remembered and loved?
• How to find balance without losing your sh*t?
• Photography: documentary/candid photography, composition, analogue photo, basic editing

My happiest day as a child was when my kindergarten teacher agreed to let me take a part of the class to our house and I could lend everyone toys and organize the whole thing so that everyone had fun. I organized building of sandcastles in the sandbox and negotiated the use of plastic trucks for construction purposes (instead of wasteful driving). Nothing much has changed. I like to build, bring people and resources together to create higher units that perform new, unexpected work, service or experiences.
I led clubs, work and hobby teams. I work best in a group of up to 10 people, but I also led Psy-High – my 4part, almost a week-long festival-baby in a flooded quarry – with 15 “officers” and 300 volunteers. I prefer to build things out of nothing. In various collectives I have built, among other things: student television, a university counselling centre, a new setup of the university's internal community, a concept of social networks, events, festivals, independent publishing houses – various vinyl’s, cassettes, etc., and last but not least a forest-bound wood crafted settlement and many beautiful places in nature (viewpoints, campsites, spaces, ...). I love photography, my heroes include war photojournalists such as Patrick Chauvel and others.
I have always done many things in parallel. I know what it’s like to be frustrated about not being an expert in anything but being able to do a little bit of everything - and I can assure you that it pays off in the end.
I like history and many other different fields, I enjoy expanding things into a broader/higher framework, I have sensitized myself over the years by looking for overlaps. I will be very happy to search for new perspectives with you, that will show banal things as interesting, complex things as graspable. We can find inspiration in unexpected sources for all dead-ends, from alchemy, through historical warlords to anthropology, technology, ...

• career guidance
• how to prepare for an interview
• choosing a job in another city

Matěj chose to study Biotechnology at the University of Chemistry and Technology. Over time, however, he discovered that what he enjoyed most about chemistry was numbers and that he needed "hard data" to best understand the context. That is why, while still a bachelor's student, he switched to the field of Drug Production and Synthesis and eventually settled on Analytical Chemistry, where, as he himself says, he finally found his calling.
 
After completing his master's degree, he sensed that the role of an analyst with a clearly defined task for which he would seek solutions in a relatively short time frame would suit him best in his working life. However, he decided to join a one-year trainee program at Contipro, where he tried out a number of positions in research and development. His first assignment was a project focused on the development of vaginal suppositories, and thanks to his work on it, he discovered that he also enjoyed more creative roles, where he could think strategically and plan individual development stages well in advance. After completing the trainee program, he focused on pharmacokinetics—testing drug forms and medical devices on in vitro and in vivo models. This work combines testing with advanced methods of analytical chemistry and mathematical modeling. For Matěj, it was the ideal combination of more creative development and working with data. 

After two years in the workforce, Matěj decided to pursue a Ph.D. He was attracted by the possibility of later using the title in management positions and the opportunity to do a doctorate in a dynamic company environment. He also gained insight into how other workplaces operate, as he completed his Ph.D. studies at Palacký University in Olomouc and went on an internship in Vienna as part of his studies. In addition to new knowledge and a degree, his three-and-a-half-year studies also brought him further collaborations and new contacts thanks to good networking in the academic environment.
 
Matěj now works at Contipro as the head of a working group focused on pharmacokinetics. "I don't really wear a lab coat anymore. In addition to evaluating and planning pharmacokinetic experiments and developing new analytical methods, I lead long-term research aimed at clarifying how orally administered hyaluronan can work in the body and save our joints. It is a multidisciplinary topic that involves not only analysts, but also biologists and other specialists.” Matěj is now learning how to assign tasks within the team in a way that is appropriate to the interests and skills of each employee. He sees mentoring as an opportunity to establish contacts and collaborate with people who have a genuine interest in science and development.

• professional and personal development
• presentation of academic work
• science management
• preparation of scientific and popular science publications
• starting a business in the Czech academic environment
• assistance with grant applications

• how to set your goals, preferences, and personal vision
• learn to organize your time effectively
• share different methods for finding out what you enjoy doing

Lenka graduated from a Waldorf school, which has a specific approach to education, and through her studies she became interested in working with people. At the same time, she always wanted to be connected to nature and animals, so she decided to enroll at the University of Chemistry and Technology with the aim of understanding chemistry and the basic relationships in nature so that one day she could work for the good of both people and animals. During her studies at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Lenka was an active member of the IAESTE association. Thanks to her work in the association, she realized that she enjoyed leading a team, working in an international environment, and that she believed in education. She began to form her vision here—to create opportunities for people to learn. 
 
As a graduate of a chemistry school, Lenka began working for a start-up and then for the American company CEA Prague, where she helped students who came to the Czech Republic find internships in the field and acted as a mentor. In 2019, she applied for and was hired as the director of the non-governmental non-profit organization INEX-SDA. INEX-SDA is involved in international volunteering and intercultural education. Lenka's work as director was divided into three main sections: the first was HR, i.e., employee care, followed by strategic management of the organization, and finally securing funding, which involved seeking grants and administering them. Lenka then founded a non-profit organization. She currently manages the finances of a neuroscience research project, where, given the novelty of the project, she devises and designs most of the systems herself.

For Lenka, inspiration is the greatest value that guides her in life. "I think mentoring is all about letting yourself be inspired. I admire when people have the will to develop themselves; I think it's very important. And when a person is willing to draw on the experience and knowledge of someone else, they can be inspired."

• insight into the chemical business
• detailed insight into the complex process of chemical distribution, including various positions
• insight into the functioning of a multinational corporation
• insight into various career opportunities
• facilitation of contacts

Viktor started out as a salesman in an analytical laboratory, where his daily routine consisted of calling customers from a list and seeking orders. He gradually worked his way up to become the company's director. After eight years, he decided it was time for a change and left to join Tesla Hloubětín, where he spent a year managing an independent water treatment plant. This was followed by a move outside the field—he spent three years at a container manufacturing company—but eventually returned to chemistry. He realized that he wanted to stay in the field: "People have a tendency to belittle what they learned in school. Often, you don't remember a lot of things, but somewhere in the back of your mind, the connections are there. You know the environment, you meet people you had at school, and somehow it all fits together." Through his position as a distributor of laboratory chemicals, he joined Synthesia, where he worked as a production plant manager, and eventually Brenntag, where he still works as an executive.
 
He sees nothing wrong with changing jobs or even venturing outside his field. People shouldn't be afraid of change; if something about their current position or company doesn't suit them, they should explore other options and discover their potential. On the other hand, he points out that it's good to be able to describe the reasons for these changes, which someone might read about in your CV, and turn them to your advantage.

He likes his current position because every day brings new challenges and knowledge. He says that he is not a "great scientist" and does not want to know every detail of a single field. On the contrary, he likes to have a horizontal overview of many things and connect them, finding connections. At Brenntag, he combines chemistry, technology, and business. In addition, he also deals with personnel and administrative matters.
 
He sees mentoring as an opportunity to further promote chemistry, even among people who are already studying it. "Students should know that chemistry is not just laboratory work and scientific activity. It is also business or manufacturing; in short, it can be applied in all areas of human activity." Viktor is a member of the board of the Chemical Industry Association and vice president of the Chemical Traders Association, and he sees the promotion of chemistry as his duty. He is happy to support people with a genuine interest and, in return, learn something about the current generation of students and young employees—what their priorities and expectations are, which he sees as important input for the further development of the field and job positions.

• advice on career development and finding professional direction
• academic career development
• management skills, team management
• mentoring in the field of energy and the environment

My career path has taken me from managing the CTU UCEEB research institute to founding EnviTrail, where, as CTO, I deal with ESG and carbon footprint calculations for small and large clients such as ČSOB, the PPF Group, and Škoda Auto. I have experience in team leadership and complex project management, and my work also requires a broad view of energy, the environment, and the academic world. 
 
For me, mentoring means openly sharing knowledge and experience, but also listening and understanding your goals and challenges. Together, we can explore your career options, work on developing your skills, and create strategies to achieve your academic and professional goals. I approach mentoring with respect and openness, which means that your topics and questions always come first. Whether it's specific advice on energy and sustainability, navigating the academic world, or leading teams, I'm here to help you find your way. 
 
We plan to meet in person regularly, every three to six weeks, depending on what works best for you. I also enjoy working on practical projects or "homework assignments" that can help you learn something about yourself, gain new skills, or learn something new. Outside of the professional world, I enjoy music, skiing, astronomy, and evolutionary biology, which are areas that not only bring me joy but also new perspectives that I can share through mentoring. I look forward to meeting you and discovering together where your journey will take you.

• having an overview of what you are doing and how to get everything done
• finding the direction in which to move forward

Martin got into his current job through photography and graphic design. He was interested in how images are created, what happens in the background, and how we can manipulate them on a computer. He studied computer science at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, and today he works in signal and image processing, mainly in the field of medicine. For example, he is currently developing software for hospitals to evaluate CT data, which will enable the estimation of the percentage of lung involvement by coronavirus. At the same time, he also works at the open access microscopy workplace at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, and at the NTK, where he helps with the introduction of Open Science in Czech science. Through his position at the NTK, he can constantly learn new trends in data management and pass them on, including in his teaching activities at the University of Chemistry and Technology.

After starting college, Martin felt that many things were missing, so he began to get involved wherever he could to help get things moving. He rose to the position of student president of the academic senate and joined several student associations. "I got used to having some kind of fulfillment, and all those extra activities also gave me the space to find out what I enjoy and what I'm good at. At some point, you get to a point where you're doing a lot of things and enjoying them, and you want to start getting paid for them. Then you have to force yourself to find out what makes you different from others and who might pay you for it." As a mentor, Martin would like to help students learn to take a broader view of the field they are involved in. He can advise them on which areas outside their study program to focus on. Moreover, he himself missed a similar program when he was studying at the University of Chemistry and Technology. 

• Find out if I want to pursue a PhD and if science is for me
• Provide advice on how to find an internship abroad and help them make it happen
• Find a work-lab-life balance

During her first four years at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Terezie focused solely on her studies. She graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree. But what good did that do her? All she had was a nice photo from her graduation. During her master's studies, she decided that university was not just about exams and began to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the school. She participated in the ATHENS program and went to Serbia for a two-month IAESTE internship. Immediately afterwards, she went to Hamburg for 11 months, where she worked on her thesis in Dr. Willmans' group at EMBL. There she realized that science is great and she wants to pursue a doctorate. After six months of searching, she found Dr. Jiráček's laboratory at UOCHB, where she successfully completed her doctorate after 4.5 years. 
 
During her PhD, she realized that it is necessary not only to do science, but also to popularize it. That is why she became involved in mentoring high school students in a club at the University of Chemistry and Technology and mentoring high school students in the laboratory at her workplace. She also began to actively participate in popularization events organized by UOCHB. The highlight of pushing her personal boundaries was her participation in the FameLab 2022 competition. She did not lose her nervousness in front of the audience, but the audience did not seem to notice when they awarded her the Audience Award. 

She worked as a postdoc in Zuzana Kečkéšová's group at UOCHB. In addition to popularizing science, Terezie found another passion in organizing events such as lab retreats and workshops on non-academic job opportunities. She is currently actively involved in organizing monthly career lectures for postdocs. She is currently a postdoc at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, where she is involved in malaria research and drug discovery activities.
 
If you want to chat with her about something other than science, you can't go wrong with history, climbing, and animal videos. 

• Contact with industry, applying knowledge from school in practice
• Chemical engineering and its applications
• Collaboration on case studies
• Applying research results in practice
• Consulting in industrial chemistry

• Balancing personal and professional life, balancing time between work and family
• Finding priorities and organizing time
• Foreign experiences during studies
• Discussing the mentee's questions and individual needs

• Communication skills development
• Project management
• Insight into pharmaceutical industry manufacturing
• Work-life balance
• Time management

• self-development (personal vision, growth mindset, habit building)
• leadership
• lean six sigma projects
• malting, brewing, food production - systems

• planning academic and non-academic careers
• studying, working, and living abroad
• communication and presentation skills
• balancing personal and professional life

• depends on specific needs
• we will develop this direction together on mutual agreement

• membrane processes, medical devices and preclinical development
• specifics of the academic sphere – start-up – consultant – corporate
• multidisciplinary use of knowledge and further education
• opportunities for foreign internships, conferences, etc.

• podávání grantů
• psaní vědeckých článků
• jak se dostat na zahraniční univerzity
• jak se vypořádat s problémy s duševním zdravím během studia

• uchopení vlastního skillsetu a jeho využití
• hledání vlastní kariérní i životní cesty
• předání zkušeností s vedením studentské organizace
• zkušenost se změnou oboru 

• rozjet vývoj a testování produktů a služeb se zákazníky
• nastavit strategii a business-model
• efektivně řídit procesy a projekty
• dobře nastavit spolupráci v týmu
• mít pořádek v prioritách, podávat výkon, ale žít „jako člověk“

• nastíněním práce v akademické sféře 
• orientací s organizačních záležitostech akademické instituce 
• pedagogickými otázkami, když se sami chystají vystoupit za katedru 
• work-life balance a skloubení času na práci i rodinu 

• vytvořit mapu, jak směřovat k úspěšnému zakončení Ph.D. studia (nastavení vize, motivace, plán)
• sladit studium s prací

• poskytnout náhled do různých pracovních prostředí – akademická vs. soukromá sféra
• poskytnout náhled do fungování chemického průmyslu
• nastínit, jak vypadá práce technologa
• hledání kreativních řešení
• time-management

• Pochopit rozdíly mezi studentským a pracovním životem
• Pohony letadel, aerodynamika
• Psaní závěrečných a odborných prací

•  kariérní směřování (ve vědeckém prostředí)
•  zprostředkování kontaktů ve výzkumné sféře
•  vhled do fungování státní správy 
• grantová agenda a její proces

• jak být aktivní mimo školu 
• nastínit, jak vypadají různé pozice ve firmách
• seberozvoj

• jak správně a efektivně přistupovat k publikační činnosti
• zorientovat se na pracovním trhu, i v zahraničí
• jak přistupovat k důležitým rozhodnutím
• work-life balance

• jak se dostat na prestižní zahraniční univerzity (USA, Německo, UK)
• strojové učení
• business development
• start-upy

• přechod z role specialisty do role vedoucího týmu
• obchod a marketing
• projektové řízení
• vedení týmu
• leadership

• sám jsem na VŠ netušil, o čem můj profesionální život bude (zpětně musím říct, že jsem opravdu vůbec netušil) a býval bych rád potkal budoucího sebe nebo někoho jako jsem nyní já, aby se se mnou podělil o své zkušenosti
• mohu sdílet, do čeho podle mě má smysl investovat čas, na čem mým zaměstnavatelům záleželo a na čem vůbec; na čem záleží mě jako zaměstnavateli
• mohu ukázat/naučit/pomoci pochopit, co podle mě je "zdravý nadhled" a jak si ho udržet v zaměstnání i v životě
• mohu zprostředkovat návštěvu v naší výrobě i kancelářích a dát ochutnat běžný pracovní den bez příkras

• celkový rozvoj soft-skills
• ukázat, jak vypadá život po studiu
• poradit, čemu se během studia věnovat, aby byl člověk pro zaměstnavatele zajímavý
• ukázat, co to znamená řídit lidi