The award of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports for outstanding students and graduates of the study programme and for extraordinary achievements was awarded to Eliška Zgarbová, a graduate of the UP Faculty of Science. She received the award from Minister Mikuláš Bek and Radka Wildová, Chief Director of the Higher Education, Science and Research Section, at the Liechtenstein Palace in Prague. Ten laureates in total were awarded.
“When I learned that Palacký University nominated me for this award, I was very proud to represent a university with more than twenty thousand students. The fact that I was chosen by a committee of the Ministry of Education was unimaginable. It’s such a beautiful end to my studies, the symbolic icing on the cake. I appreciate the award immensely. I would like to thank my supervisor, Radim Vrzal from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, who had a great deal to do with shaping my scientific career. He is a person with a huge passion for science, which he can transfer to students and motivate them. The way I view science, write papers, and work in the lab is a credit to him. I would also like to thank the UP Endowment Fund for their support and nomination,” said Zgarbová.
“As coordinator of the UP Endowment Fund, I had the honour to get to know Eliška better and to observe her extraordinary involvement in research, educational and popularization activities. Eliška was a scholarship recipient of the Fund in 2023. She completed a research internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where, thanks to the financial support of the Fund, she was able to implement her project focused on the study of organoid technology in the field of Crohn’s disease research. While carrying out her project, she was involved in development and educational activities offered by the Talented Palacký programme at our university, beyond the scope of her duties. In addition to her academic work, Eliška is significantly involved in the non-profit sector, primarily through scouting, where she works as a club leader and organiser of volunteer activities. Her long-term involvement in aid during the Covid-19 pandemic and after the Russian invasion of Ukraine demonstrates her strong sense of responsibility and social commitment. It has been a pleasure to support her and I believe that she deserves this prestigious award, and that her future career will continue to bring significant results for the scientific community and beyond,” said Katrin Stark.
The Ministry award is given to outstanding students or graduates of a Bachelor’s, Master’s or doctoral study programme for outstanding achievements in their studies or in scientific, research, development and innovation, artistic or other creative activities related to their studies in a given study programme. The prize is also awarded to a student or graduate for an extraordinary act of civic bravery, responsibility, or dedication. Proposals for the award can be sent to the Ministry by university rectors.
Eliška Zgarbová first studied Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at the Faculty of Science, and in her PhD programme, she focussed on molecular and cell biology, specifically on the effect of derivatives on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity in prostatic cell lines. In 2023, she became the overall winner of the 20th annual Student Scientific Competition for the Dean’s Award in the Faculty of Science, and in 2024, she won third place in the FameLab “stand-up” science competition (reported here).
“Eliška possesses excellent professional and personal qualities such as diligence, reliability and conscientiousness. Her willingness to help anyone, anytime, has led to her always having warm relationships with the members of the department and students. I am very grateful to have been able to guide and work with her and I hope that she will continue to develop her still hidden potential,” added Radim Vrzal from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics.