In a stellar display of talent and innovation, Anna Laštovičková from the Faculty of Science's Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry has secured an impressive second place in a prestigious FameLab competition. Competing against nine exceptional finalists and captivating an audience of over two hundred science enthusiasts, university representatives, and leading figures from scientific institutions, Anna’s presentation titled "Spin Your Crystal" stood out for its creativity and rigor. This remarkable achievement highlights her passion, expertise, and the growing excellence at Charles University. Congratulations, Anna!
The grand finale of this year’s national science competition took place on Tuesday, 18 September 2024, in the Prague Castle Ballroom. Hosted under the auspices of the British Embassy, the event welcomed distinguished guests, including His Excellency Ambassador Matt Field, Rector of Charles University Milena Králíčková, and Minister for Science and Research Marek Ženíšek, all there to celebrate novel achievements in science.
Nine finalists took the stage, each presenting on diverse topics spanning biology and genetics, neuroplasticity, physics and astronomy, chemistry, and medicine. Among this brilliant cohort, Anna Laštovičková, a PhD student from the Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry at Charles University, made a lasting impression with her captivating presentation "Spin Your Crystal." Anna’s innovative work secured her an impressive second place, a triumph that echoes her commitment to advancing the field of chemistry.
"There was a lot of competition. I’m curious to see who will win next year," Anna shared enthusiastically after her win. "I’m thrilled with second place and excited about the opportunity to present my research at Czech Centers abroad." Her supervisor, Michal Mazur, Ph.D., echoed her pride, celebrating the accomplishment as a testament to Anna’s hard work and talent: “I wish Anna many well-diffracting nanocrystals and continued success in her scientific journey. Congratulations!!”
Anna’s journey to this success is rooted in her academic excellence. Having completed her Master’s degree under the supervision of Dr. Mazur, her research focused on electron diffraction of crystals, particularly zeolites. She also proudly represented Charles University during an Erasmus internship in Finland. Currently, Anna is working on a publication where she will be the first author, showcasing the impactful results of her Master’s research.
As she embarks on her PhD journey, Anna will continue to break new ground in the field of nanomaterials, specifically studying Single Atom Catalysts (SACs) within the framework of the consortium TECHSCALE (CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004587) funded by the EFRR/ESF. This prestigious project, funded by the Programme Johannes Amos Comenius (OP JAK), is a collaborative effort involving research teams from Olomouc and Brno, further elevating her research to the international stage.
