Science as a compass of the modern age

One of the greatest patrons of science was Josef Hlávka, whom Monika Vondráčková mentioned several times during the breakfast. He proclaimed that if society is to develop and move forward, it is crucial to support science and the arts above all.

Jiří Friml highlighted the huge advantage of an interdisciplinary institute—a collective of engineers, mathematicians, biologists, and other experts under one roof who collaborate. Thanks to this broad range of professionals, a unique microscope was developed, which helps Jiří and his team in their research.

Both Michal Šimíček and Jiří Friml emphasized the importance of international teams in laboratories, where scientists working toward a common goal forget all cultural or religious differences. Having diverse types of people in a research team brings greater efficiency and better results, especially due to varied thinking, different perspectives, or, for example, the necessity to step out of one’s comfort zone.

Who are the guests?

Monika Vondráková

Co-founder of the Neuron Endowment Fund supporting science. Alongside successfully leading NF Neuron, she helped establish several other endowment funds. Her professional career began at BNP Dresdner Bank, where she managed private investments; she spent several years as communications director at RSJ. Currently, she is responsible for brand development at ABRA Software. She considers supporting and retaining top scientists in the Czech Republic key, as they play a crucial role in the development of our society, just as building brands is essential to the success of Czech companies.

Jiří Friml

Recipient of the Neuron Award 2019 in biology. He was recognized for his research on the plant hormone auxin, which makes plants more resilient organisms than humans. He discovered that auxin allows plants to flexibly adapt to changes in their environment—and survive. His path to scientific success led through Brazilian oranges and mercury poisoning to Austria, where he currently works at the prestigious Institute of Science and Technology Austria. His findings could soon make crop cultivation more efficient or improve their quality.

Michal Šimíček

Recipient of the Neuron Award 2019 in medicine. Michal Šimíček was honored for studying the processes that cause malignant diseases and their drug resistance. Although he was educated and worked long-term at prestigious foreign institutions in Belgium, London, and Cambridge, he did not hesitate to return to his hometown of Ostrava to establish a top scientific center where he develops unique cell therapy technology for cancer treatment.