Brno City honours its PhD Talent. Czech and international both

In March, the City Hall held the Brno PhD Talent Award Ceremony. We were there.

The award honours the most promising emerging researchers in various scientific fields. 25 talented students received scholarships to support their PhD studies at universities across Brno. Among them were three international students, Milind Lahiri (India), Areej Fatima (Pakistan), and Sefa Furkan Demirci (Turkey), who are conducting research in plant science, environmental sustainability, and neuroscience, respectively.

We asked them a few questions to learn more about them and their projects.

Nanofiber spiderwebs, heat-stressing plants and meth addiction meds

Their research covers a variety of pressing global challenges. Areej Fatima is developing a nanofiber-based fabric inspired by spider webs to improve wastewater treatment. By stabilizing photocatalytic materials within nanofibers, her work aims to create a more sustainable way to remove pollutants from real wastewater environments.

Milind Lahiri is studying how plants respond to heat stress with the goal of improving crop resilience in the face of climate change. Meanwhile, Sefa Furkan Demirci’s research focuses on developing new medications for methamphetamine addiction, an area with no current treatment options.

Despite working in different fields, they all benefit from Brno’s academic environment, which provides access to cutting-edge research, expert mentorship, and international collaborations.

Brno as a Place to Live and Research

For Areej, the city’s walkable streets, friendly locals, and thriving international student network make it a welcoming place to live. Milind highlights the city’s efficient public transportation, which allows him to explore and travel with ease. Sefa, who has been in Brno since October, enjoys its peaceful yet lively atmosphere, finding it an ideal environment for both research and daily life.

Brno’s role as a research hub continues to grow. It attracts students and scientists from around the world. The city’s strong academic culture, well-respected institutions, and history of scientific innovation—home to Gregor Mendel’s groundbreaking work in genetics—provide ongoing inspiration for young researchers.

Brno’s investment in young scientists is shaping the future of research and innovation. With access to world-class facilities and a supportive international community, PhD students like Milind, Areej, and Sefa are making meaningful contributions to science while building their lives in a city that values their work.

More about the project and scholarship:  jcmm.cz

Picture courtesy of the City of Brno.