David Panáček heads to Imperial College London
The physical chemist David Panáček from Palacký University’s CATRIN will spend the coming months at the prestigious Imperial College London (ICL). Thanks to his success in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (MSCA) – CZ project call, he will join the research group of Firat Güder, a leading expert in developing sensors for plant monitoring.
“At the Department of Bioengineering within ICL’s Faculty of Engineering, I will build on my expertise in graphene chemistry to develop efficient and highly sensitive sensors. These sensors will detect physiological changes in plants caused by various stress factors, including diseases. Collaborating with world-class experts in this field is an extraordinary opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills,” said David Panáček, who will begin his 14-month stay at Imperial College London in early February. The sensors developed during this collaboration will later be tested at AgroBioChem, a spin-off company in the Czech Republic.
David Panáček holds a doctorate in materials chemistry. During his doctoral studies, he focused on designing innovative low-dimensional nanomaterials for biological and environmental applications, deploying graphene, graphene derivatives and carbon dots. His research experience also includes sensor applications, which he worked on during an internship at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Spain under the mentorship of Professor Arben Merkoçi. Among his notable achievements is his contribution to the development of “atomic antibiotics” capable of overcoming bacterial resistance.
“I am delighted that another of our young scientists will gain experience at such a prestigious foreign institution. In the past, our researchers have had similar opportunities at the University of Cambridge and the Karolinska Institute. What makes me even happier is that they return to CATRIN after these stays. David Panáček has already delivered remarkable results, and I am confident that working under Firat Güder’s supervision will further advance his career,” said CATRIN Director Pavel Banáš.
