IRONMAN or Fe-MALE?: Science for all of us 2025

As International Scientific Community & Partnerships Coordinator for Czexpats in Science, a dedicated advocate for the expat community and a mother of two, Iva Poulíčková brings a unique perspective shaped by an international experience in tech ranging from startups to corporations. Leveraging her deep understanding of the Brnoregion innovation ecosystem and her work with the Brno Expat Centre, she is passionate about attracting and supporting top talent to our vibrant city while embracing the joys and challenges of a busy family life.

I am a PhD student of Microbiology at Masaryk University. My research focuses on the engineering of biocatalytic complexes on bacterial surfaces. I am a person who says yes to all opportunities that come my way. As a result, I have had the honor to lead a team in the largest international student competition in synthetic biology (iGEM), to become a fellow of Brno Ph.D. Talent, to present my research to the NATO Science and Technology Board, and to discuss my project with a Nobel laureate at the Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore.

Gabriela Kalčikova is originally from the Czech Republic, where she completed her master’s studies in Chemistry at Brno University of Technology. She then earned a PhD in Environmental Protection at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, where she continues her research and teaching career. Now an associate professor, she leads PLANTERASTICS, a European-leading research team focused on environmental research of microplastics. Her work advances understanding of microplastic pollution and its environmental impact.

I am a Professor in Bioprocess Technology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, with a multidisciplinary background spanning microbiology, biotechnology, and vibrational spectroscopy. My research focuses on microbial biotechnology and bioprocess development, particularly on valorization of side-streams, by-products and wastes through fungal fermentation. I am also passionate about bioprospecting bacteria, as well as exploring vibrational spectroscopy for biochemical profiling of microbial cell factories at multiple scales. In addition to my academic work, I am an entrepreneur actively commercializing fungal fermentation and a co-founder of Chitofun Biotech AS Chitofun Biotech.

Veronika Štěpánková holds a degree in biochemistry with a specialization in protein engineering. After completing her PhD, she transitioned into the biotech startup sector, where she spent six years as CEO of the spin-off company Enacts. Since 2020, she has been part of JIC, where she leads a team dedicated to supporting startups, particularly those emerging from academic environments, helping them commercialize their research outcomes. Through her work, Veronika is committed to fostering innovation and facilitating the transformation of scientific discoveries into successful businesses.