Economist Martin Kahanec, one of Europe’s leading experts on labour markets, migration, and social inequalities, won a slew of awards for his work last year, including being named Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia at the ESET Science Awards.
The latest overview of Slovak science includes an interview with him, as well as with other three award-winning experts in their respective fields.
The overview also provides a selection of research conducted at universities and other institutions, as well as science stories that have appeared on the Slovak Spectator website, covering topics such as board games played by soldiers of the Roman Empire, Slovakia’s contribution to construction of the European Solar Telescope, and how material scientists are helping drive the European Space Agency’s vision forward.
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Outstanding scientists
Last October, the winners of the 7th edition of the ESET Science Award were announced — and for the first time, the award was open to all scientific disciplines. An international committee chaired by Norwegian neuroscientist and Nobel laureate Edvard Moser selected the winners, evaluating not only the scientific quality of their work but also its contribution to society.
Kahanec became the first laureate in the main category — Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia — with a background in humanities and social sciences. He is a professor at the Central European University in Vienna and the University of Economics in Bratislava, and is also co-founder and scientific director of the Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI).
Last year was an especially notable one for Kahanec. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of Academia Europaea and appointed its Vice-President — a major step for Slovak representation in this pan-European academy of sciences. Later, he became the first Slovak to join the European Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA), which provides independent expert guidance to EU policymakers.
According to the global research database RePEc, Kahanec ranks among the top 9 percent of economists in Europe for published papers and is Slovakia’s most productive researcher in terms of academic output. His work focuses on labour markets, migration, and economic policy.
Philosopher Daniela Vacek was named Outstanding Scientist Under 35 award for her research on the ethics of artificial intelligence. She works at the Institute of Philosophy of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the Department of Logic and Methodology of Sciences at Comenius University’s Faculty of Arts, and the Kempelen Institute for Intelligent Technologies.
The winner in the Outstanding Higher Education Scientist category was Ľubomír Švorc from the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. He and his students are developing new methods of identifying biologically active substances using advanced electrochemical sensors.
Finally, neurologist Zuzana Gdovinová, who studies strokes, won the People’s Choice Award.
New supercomputer arrives
In November, the first of the two-part PERUN supercomputer cluster was officially launched at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE). In December, the second part was delivered to the premises of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) in Bratislava.
Once the installation, integration and testing phases are complete, the latter will become the most powerful computing system operated by SAV and the main node of the national high-performance computing infrastructure consisting of both parts.
The project required extensive technical and construction modifications on the SAV campus. The Bratislava supercomputer consists of 45 CPU nodes with AMD Turin processors and 76 GPU nodes with NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper superchips. It has a theoretical performance of 14.5 PFlop/s. For comparison, the Košice supercomputer has a performace of 10.6 PFlop/s. However, it also has a special quantum simulator.
Based on preliminary tests conducted at the manufacturing plant, PERUN ranked 125th in the global TOP500 ranking, the worldwide standard for evaluating the most powerful supercomputers.
“PERUN’s ranking in the top quarter of the TOP500 list demonstrates that Slovakia is capable of building world-class infrastructure,“ said Nikola Kovaničová, Director General of SAV’s Centre of Operations, which procured the supercomputer.
Users are expected to be able to access PERUN in test mode for the first time at the end of February 2026. Full operation is due to start the following month. In the first half of the year, it will be included in standard calls. It will serve scientific institutions, universities, innovative companies and the public sector, especially in the fields of materials modelling, climate simulations, drug development, and artificial intelligence.
In other news
The Department of Radiology of SAV’s Biomedical Research Centre has become a member of the long-term international project Running the European Network of Biological and Retrospective Physical Dosimetry (RENEB). Its goal is to connect the capacities of leading radiobiological laboratories in Europe in the event of a large-scale radiation accident, such as a nuclear power plant disaster or the detonation of a nuclear weapon.
Its members include institutions from Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Norway, and other countries.
The Department of Radiobiology has significant expertise in the field and is one of the few workplaces in Central Europe that has joined the network. Recently, it has for the first time joined an international exercise with 17 institutions from 13 member countries.
In light of budget cuts that the United States government has imposed on some U.S. scientific and research institutions, Europe is having to step up to support its own scientific infrastructure. When it comes to solar astronomy, it already has a project underway – the European Solar Telescope (EST).
Over the years, the position of Slovak scientists in the project has strengthened. In October, Slovakia and Spain signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on the project. Spain is willing to contribute approximately 25 percent (roughly €50 million) of the total cost of the construction of EST, while Slovakia plans to contribute approximately 10 percent (around €20 million).
Every two years, the M. R. Štefánik Award is given for the most significant contribution to bilateral French-Slovak scientific cooperation. In November, the SAV’s Institute of Physics won the award for ‘Biological fate and therapeutic applicability of iron oxide-molybdenum oxide nanocomplexes’, a project led by Adriana Hvizdošová Annušová and Aurore Van de Walle from the Institut Curie & CNRS Unité Physique des Cellules et Cance, the leading French centre for cancer treatment and research.
Overview of other research and development activities and news at institutions:
Ecologists find that up to 60 percent of pine trees in Slovakia have fungus infections; SAV; lead scientist Katarína Adamčíková. Covering roughly 6.6 percent of forested land in Slovakia, pines are the second most important genus of coniferous trees. Researchers from the Institute of Forest Ecology have found that almost 60 percent of monitored trees are infected with either fungus Lophodermium pinastri or Lophodermium seditiosum, or in some cases both simultaneously. There was no significant differences between forest and urban areas. Infection causes branch wilting, thinning in the lower crown, reduced photosynthetic activity, as well as a reduction in the tree’s aesthetic value. Read more here.The risk of heading on the brain health of male and female football players; Comenius University/SAV/Trnava University; lead scientists Martin Čente, Pavol Peráček, Marek Majdan, Peter Filipčík. Since the majority of research is conducted on men, there is a gap in knowledge on how repetitive head impacts affect women. In this exploratory study, the team investigated changes in blood biomarkers along with the cognitive status of elite female footballers and compared the results with men. The data shows that heading is associated with biochemical alterations, reduction in focused attention, and cognitive flexibility. The data also shows that women are more sensitive to head impacts. Read more here.Ferroelectric switching control of spin current in graphene proximitised by In2Se3; Slovak Academy of Sciences; lead scientist Martin Gmitra. Due to its potential applications in next-generation electronics, ferroelectricity in 2D materials has emerged as a significant area of research. A discovery made by a collaborative European research team offers a new approach toward energy-efficient, non-volatile, and magnet-free spintronic devices. Read more here.Optimising plasma-activated water applications for enhanced growth and antioxidant capacity in maize; Comenius University; lead scientist Zuzana Lukáčová. This special type of water contains biologically active molecules that can have both positive and negative effects on plants, depending on dosage. The goal was to find the right amount to promote growth and the ability to withstand adverse conditions.Challenges/insights in detecting early inflammation in DSS-induced colitis using chemiluminescence; Comenius University; lead scientist Barbora Tomášová. It is currently not known when colitis first appears. Usually, patients see a doctor when the disease is in an advanced stage. The study was unsuccessful in attempts to monitor the onset of the disease in a mice model. Read more here.Scientists develop new durable materials for space applications; SAV; lead scientist Peter Tatarko. Researchers from the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry have developed previously unknown compositions of boride-based materials with specific amounts of several metals. Their high durability in extreme temperatures make them useful in heat shields, engine nozzles and other key components. Read more here.Effect of lower-dose semaglutide on metabolic profile and adipocytokines in obesity; Comenius University; lead scientist Marián Mokáň. Semaglutide is a drug that reduces appetite, promotes weight loss and improves metabolic health. The goal was to investigate whether even lower doses can improve metabolism of patients. The study shows that in combination with diet and exercise, even lower doses contributed to significant weight loss and improvement in metabolic parameters. Read more here.Bisphenol A causes DNA damage and physiological stress in plants; Comenius University; lead scientist Andrea Ševčovičová. The goal is to understand how bisphenol A, a compound used in plastic manufacturing, affects growth of plants and safety of foods. The study focuses on barley seedlings. Although there was no impact on grain germination, decreased root and shoot lengths, growth indices, decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and altered gene expression of antioxidant enzymes have been observed, showing that the compound has adverse effects on barley. Read more here.Mineralogists describe a unique occurrence of triphylite; SAV; lead scientist Igor Broska. Institute of Earth Sciences researchers have discovered the formation of mineral triphylite by the infiltration of lithium-rich solutions from pegmatite rock, the first of its kind in the world in the Ukrainian Shield, specifically at the Dobra site which is being prepared for lithium mining. The discovery helps to understand the processes that lead to lithium accumulation. Read more here.Research gives hope for treatment of a rare genetic disease; SAV. PMM2‑CDG is a rare genetic disease affecting glycolisation, an important process that involves proteins and which is key for the proper functioning of the immune system. There is no known cure for PMM2‑CDG. But an international team including researchers from the Institute of Chemistry has said its findings could help provide new approaches for treatment development. Read more here.Convective flow in rotating mushy zones; Comenius University; lead scientist Peter Guba. When multicomponent alloys solidify, often so-called mushy zones, or partially solidified regions, form. These also appear in natural systems such as formation of sea ice in polar regions. This study shows that whirling hexagons can emerge in these systems, a behaviour relevant to understanding convection-driven structures such as freckles in sea-ice mushy layers. Read more here.Sloshing ferrofluids harness vibration energy, a new spin on powering tomorrow’s wearables and IoT; SAV/Technical University of Košice; lead scientist Michal Rajňák. The team has found a new way to harvest vibration energy, using liquids infused with magnetic nanoparticles, that could help power wearable electronics and distributed sensors. Read more here.Enhanced circadian control of vital functions as prevention of non-communicable diseases; Comenius University; lead scientist Michal Zeman. Circadian rhythms, or the body’s internal cycles including the sleep-wake cycle, hormones and metabolism, are primarily driven by light. However, due to light pollution, they are often disrupted, which correlates with a higher incidence and worse course of non-communicable diseases. Although some studies show that biorhythms can be improved by limiting food intake to 8-12 hours during the day, others have not. Together with their Dutch colleagues, the team conducted an experiment on lab rats and found out that that food intake during the active phase of the day improved, but did not completely normalise the rhythms.
Other Slovak science stories on Spectator.sk:
SPACE: Space agencies understand the risks to missions posed by debris in Earth’s orbit. ESA has adopted a ‘Zero Debris’ approach, an initiative to significantly limit the production of debris in Earth and Lunar orbits. The end goal is to establish a circular economy in the form of in-orbit servicing, assembly, and even recycling. Slovakia may have something valuable to contribute.
ASTRONOMY: Slovak nuclear physicists help uncover mysteries of a major asteroid event designated 2023 CX1. It was the first ever cosmic object studied from its discovery to disintegration into fragments in the atmosphere.
BOTANY: Although you might assume that we know a lot about our world, scientists discover new things on a daily basis. Surprisingly, these include new species of plants, animals – and fungi. Recently, an international team that included Slovak scientists described 19 species of fungi from the genus Dermoloma that are completely new to science.
SPACE INDUSTRY: While far from taking centre stage, Slovakia’s space industry continues to find its footing, earning both recognition and tangible successes. This year marked the end of a small but remarkable mission and at the same time, the country has been steadily expanding its space ambitions across multiple fields.
BOARD GAMES: Interest is growing among archaeologists in how people in ancient societies used to spend their free time. Research has shown that humans have always been a playful bunch – just like us today, thousands of years ago people liked to play board games. Roman military sites in Slovakia are helping shed light on some of their favourites.
CHEMISTRY: Most people who attempt making a Gratin dauphinois would look at the mountain of potato peels left afterwards on their kitchen worktop and simply throw them in the bin. But Slovak scientists have decided instead to use them to develop a unique eco-friendly method of making sensors.
MATERIALS: Slovak chemist Lenka Lorencová, who recently won the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, is researching MXenes, a family of two-dimensional layered nanomaterials discovered only recently. Although study so far is in its infancy, potential applications for the materials are promising, including improved detection of cancers.
INSECTS: On his first expedition in the jungles of south-east Asia, Slovak entomologist Rudolf Gabzdil came across a stunning jewel beetle. After research he discovered it was a species entirely unknown to science and named it after his beloved grand-daughter.
BIOMEDICINE: Whether it’s developing more accurate cancer diagnostics, making progress toward treating diabetes, or finding humane alternatives to animal testing, Slovak scientists are steadily working to improve lives through biomedical innovation.
Original source: sk