PRESS RELEASE
(Bratislava, 21 May 2024)
Quantum technologies, material science, mechanical engineering, physical chemistry, and artificial intelligence are scientific fields that are little known to most people. Thanks to the event Scientist of the Year of the Slovak Republic, which aims to professionally and socially highlight the most important personalities of scientific life in Slovakia, we know the names of five exceptional personalities. They received their awards on May 21 at the Moyses Hall of the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava. The announcers of the award are the Centre of Scientific and Technical Information of the Slovak Republic (CVTI SR), the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) and the Union of Slovak Scientific and Technological Societies (ZSVTS). The evaluation committee, which consists of representatives of the event’s announcers, selected laureates in five categories from among 48 nominated scientific figures for significant results in science and research in Slovakia. The 27th edition of the Science of the Year event took place under the auspices of the Minister of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, Tomáš Drucker, who expressed his thanks: “The Ministry of Education greatly appreciates work in the field of science and research, as it is an integral part of its mission. I am extremely grateful that we have many individuals among us who have decided to follow the path of discovery and innovation. The work of scientists is like the work of pioneers – they often move on unfamiliar territory, constantly seek new knowledge and push the boundaries of our understanding. Without their courage and determination, we would not be able to move forward as a society. Their contribution is irreplaceable and it is our thanks to them.“”This year we have had the opportunity to evaluate the excellent results of our scientists and scientists. Traditionally, there were the most proposals in the category “Scientist of the Year” and “Young Scientist”. A delightful fact of this year was the excellent level of results of our young scientists. Some of them would also stand in the main category, which is very promising for the future of our science,” said Jozef Masarik, chairman of the evaluation committee.
The 2023 awards in each category were awarded to the following personalities:
• Category Scientist of the Year/Scientist of the Year: Prof. Martin Orendáč, DrSc., Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice. He received the award for his significant scientific contribution in the field of molecular and low-dimensional magnetism, extensive publishing activities in prestigious listed journals and extraordinary grant success.
• Category Young Scientist/Young Fellow: RNDr. Ivana Šišoláková, PhD., Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice. She received the award for building significant international cooperation and cooperation with the private sector and for its significant contribution in the field of research of non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors as new diagnostic methods.
• Category Innovator of the Year/Innovator of the Year: doc. Ing. Alexander Schrek, PhD., Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. The award was awarded for its significant innovative contribution in the field of formability of laser-welded composite semi-finished products.
• Category Technologist of the Year/Technologist of the Year: doc. Ing. Miloš Mičian, PhD., University of Žilina. He was awarded for research and development of high-strength steel welding techniques for practice.
• Category Personality of international cooperation: Prof. Ing. Igor Farkaš, Dr., Comenius University in Bratislava. He won the award for significant scientific results in the field of artificial intelligence using models of artificial neural networks, obtained in cooperation with foreign partners, and for developing the international interdisciplinary master’s programme on cognitive science.
The event was attended by representatives of the award promoters, representatives of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, members of the evaluation committee, rectors of several Slovak universities, organisations supporting science and research as well as event partners.
More information about the Scientist of the Year of the Slovak Republic 2023 can be found on the website of the Science of the Year of the Slovak Republic.
Source: European Digital Skills & Jobs Platform
