Prof. Ing. Juraj Beniak, PhD is a leading academic at the Institute of Production Engineering and Production Quality (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, STU). He serves as a Professor CSc., PhD and holds external collaborator roles at the Institute of Computer Engineering and Applied Informatics (FIIT) and the Institute of Manufacturing Technologies (MTF). His research bridges mechanical engineering and sustainable production. Office: U.V.I.P. SjF, Office 537 Contact: +421 2 57296 537 | +421 905 593 953 (mobile) Beniak's research focuses on additive manufacturing , biomass compaction , and smart production technologies . He investigates 3D printing parameter optimization, surface modification techniques, and composite material development from renewable sources. His work addresses both industrial applications and environmental sustainability through advanced manufacturing. Key projects include: OP R&I: Automation in freight railway vehicle production (2019–2023) APVV-18-0527: Additive manufacturing technology development (2019–2022) Recovery Plan: AI-driven waste management systems (2024–2026) As a KEGA grant guarantor and APVV co-investigator , he leads initiatives in CAx education, virtual laboratories, and biofuel production optimization. His contributions span from experimental equipment design to mathematical modeling of compaction processes.
Terézia Beck is a university teacher at the Department of Biology and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. She teaches courses in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Diversity and Phylogenesis of Protists, Algae and Fungi, Plant Cytology, Anatomy and Morphology, Plant Physiology, and Molecular Ecology, with consultation hours held Monday-Tuesday 09:00-11:00. Her educational background includes: PhD in Evolution of Ecosystems and their Protection (2015-2019), Matej Bel University, Faculty of Natural Sciences RNDr. in Ecology and Protection of Ecosystems (2016-2018), Matej Bel University, Faculty of Natural Sciences Mgr. in Nature and Landscape Conservation and Use (2013-2015), Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences Dr. Beck's research focuses on mycology , particularly the molecular diversity and phylogenesis of wood-decay fungi including Ganoderma and Fomes fomentarius . She employs advanced techniques such as ITS sequencing, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and fuzzy logic systems to study fungal identification, host-pathogen interactions, and ecological adaptations in urban and natural ecosystems across Central Europe. Her recent publications (2017-2022) demonstrate consistent contributions to fungal systematics, revealing cryptic diversity in Ganoderma species and pioneering identification methods for wood-decay macrofungi. Key thematic areas include molecular ecology of euglenoid flagellates, synanthropic processes in fungal communities, and host-specific adaptations of wood-decaying fungi in Mediterranean and Central European habitats. Dr. Beck serves as co-worker on two VEGA research projects: VEGA 1/0694/21 ( The influence of intra-and extracellular factors on the metabolism and motility of euglenoid flagellates ) and VEGA 1/0564/21 ( Interactions of wood-decay macromycetes and woody plants in habitats with different levels of preservation ). No graduate students are documented in available records. She actively collaborates within the Department of Biology and Environmental Studies and maintains professional memberships in the Slovak Mycological Society and the Slovak Society for Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Veterinary Sciences under the Slovak Academy of Sciences.
Jakub Mihálik is a philosopher specializing in metaphysical and epistemological questions related to phenomenal consciousness. He works as a Research Fellow in the Department of Analytic Philosophy at the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences and serves as an External Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies at Charles University, Faculty of Arts. He was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at NYU's Center for Mind, Brain and Consciousness (2022/23) and led The Consciousness & Matter Project at the University of Hertfordshire (2019-2021). Education : PhD in Philosophy (2016) from Charles University under Prof. James Hill Research : Focuses on non-reductive theories of consciousness including Russellian monism, inner awareness, and the metaphysics of subjectivity Grants : Fulbright Commission Grant (2022-23), Ministry of Education Grant (2019-2021), GAČR Grant (2012-15) His publications analyze the relationship between physicalism and consciousness, with a particular emphasis on panqualityism, explanatory gaps, and the problem of 'for-me-ness'. His work frequently engages with philosophers like David Chalmers, Sam Coleman, and Bertrand Russell. He has presented at major conferences including the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness and The Science of Consciousness Conference. He currently serves as principal investigator for the Czech Science Foundation-funded project Monism and the Subjectivity Challenge , overseeing a research team including PhD advisee Milan Zeman. His philosophical outreach includes public debates and media appearances discussing consciousness in technology and virtual reality.
Kvetoslava Matlovičová is an Associate Professor in the Department of Tourism at Bratislava University of Economics and Business. Her work bridges Tourism Geography , Territorial Marketing , and Sustainable Development with a focus on Roma communities , cultural heritage , and urban resilience . Her research explores the intersection of semiotic place branding , Anthropocene challenges , and postdisciplinary geographical frameworks . She pioneered studies on medical tourism in Hungary and pro-poor tourism in marginalized Roma settlements, emphasizing community-based solutions. Key projects include the 15-minute city sustainable urban model and metamodern shifts in geographical epistemology. Her 2025 article on AI adoption in EU tourism highlights data-driven spatial analysis. Scientific Awards: Rector's Award 2015 (Social Sciences and Humanities) Rector's Award 2016 She has led grants like Game-based learning innovation (KEGA 020EU-4/2024) and Sociological dialogue support (project 312031V749). Her advisory roles focus on territorial development and geographic education reform .
Patrik Voštinár is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science , Faculty of Natural Sciences , Matej Bel University . Holding a PhD in Applied Computer Science from the same university (2014-2017), he teaches courses in Programming , Discrete Mathematics , Web Technologies , and Android Programming . As department head and study advisor, he actively shapes academic programs and student experiences. Matej Bel University (2017-present) Department of Computer Science Faculty of Natural Sciences His research focuses on computer science education and educational technology , with particular emphasis on: VR/AR applications in teaching Game-based learning environments Microcontroller programming pedagogy Mobile application development education Physical computing tools for K-12 Adaptive learning interfaces His work with MakeCode , micro:bit , and EEG-controlled games demonstrates innovative approaches to programming education. He has received multiple eLearning competition awards for educational courseware development. Heart on the palm (Project of the year 2019) 2nd price in eLearning competition (2023) for Discrete Mathematics course Price of České společnosti pro systémovou integraci (2023) for Web Technologies 1st price in eLearning competition (2023) for Geometry Didactics Voštinár actively contributes to academic communities through: Membership in DIDINFO conference program (since 2017) Editorial Board member of Elementary Mathematics Education Journal Organizing workshops for primary/secondary students Popularizing informatics through extracurricular programs
Vladimír Siládi, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, where he has held academic positions since 1995. His current roles include Project Coordinator for the Virtual University initiative and Registration Authority for SlovakGrid, with prior experience as a part-time Assistant Professor at Slovak University of Technology. Educational Background: PhD in Computer Science, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (1997-2007) Master's in Theology, Comenius University in Bratislava (2003-2008) Master's in Secondary Education and Teaching (cum laude) and PaedDr. (EdD), Matej Bel University (1988-1993, 2005) High School Diploma, GMN Banská Štiavnica (1984-1988) His research centers on Grid Computing architectures , parallel processing techniques , and security frameworks for distributed systems . Specialized expertise includes GPU-accelerated algorithms for NP-hard problems, trust models in ad hoc grid environments, and cloud-based educational platforms. His interdisciplinary work bridges computer science with environmental modeling and psychological applications through virtual reality systems. Publication analysis reveals a consistent focus on computational optimization across 12 major works (2006-2014), with recent contributions emphasizing trust intersection models for decentralized grids (2012-2013) and cloud-based educational infrastructure (2013). Earlier works established foundations in GPU-accelerated network topology optimization and genetic algorithms for irregular systems (2006-2010). Scientific Awards: No awards documented in source materials Project leadership includes the Virtual University of Matej Bel University (ITMS 26110230077) coordinating 85 team members across 280 courses, plus TEMPUS-FLACE distance learning development (1998-2000). His registration authority role for SlovakGrid since 2009 supports national research infrastructure. Departmental leadership involves managing the Computer Science team while teaching core courses in algorithms, grid technologies, and GPU programming, maintaining consultation hours for student engagement.
Dr. Vladimír Havlík is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, Masaryk University, and a researcher at the Institute of Philosophy of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic since 1991. His academic career spans philosophy of science, emergence theory, and evolutionary epistemology. Education: PhDr. in Philosophy (1986, Charles University), CSc. (1990, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences) Key roles: Secretary of the Czech Committee for Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science, computer network administrator at the Institute of Philosophy Dr. Havlík's research focuses on the philosophical foundations of science, particularly emergence, evolutionary theory, and the status of special sciences. His work critically examines reductionism, physicalism, and the methodology of cosmology, often bridging physics with metaphysical analysis. His publications analyze the interplay between logical positivism, scientific rationality, and interdisciplinary ontological principles. He has taught courses on philosophy of science, history of physics, and methodological seminars at the University of West Bohemia and Masaryk University. As a translator and editor, he has contributed to disseminating key texts in analytical philosophy, including works by Schlick, Waismann, Popper, and Feyerabend. His academic engagement extends to organizing symposia and serving on institutional IT commissions.
Dr. Attila Elemér Kiss is an Associate Professor at the Department of Informatics within the Faculty of Economics and Informatics at J. Selye University. He previously served as Head of Department at Eötvös Loránd University from 1985 to 2010 and was inaugurated as a professor at Selye János University in 2015. His academic career spans over three decades, combining teaching, research, and leadership roles. Education: Eötvös Loránd University (Mathematics, 1985), Rigorous Examination in Mathematics (1991), Candidate of Sciences (1991), Habilitation in Computer Science (2010). Current Role: Associate Professor at J. Selye University (2015–present). Research Interests: Focused on databases, data mining, and information systems, his work aligns with modern computational and analytical challenges. He has led or participated in projects such as TÁMOP 4.2.2.C-11/1/KONV-2012-0013 (2012), TÁMOP 4.2.1/B-09/1/KMR-2010-0003 (2010–2012), and KPI RET 14/2005 (2006–2008), often supported by grants and collaborative initiatives. Academic Contributions: Dr. Kiss has 75 total publications, including 29 in CREPČ2 (7 in edited books/proceedings, 22 in journals), 23 in WoS/Scopus-indexed journals, and 22 conference papers. His work has been cited 99 times, with 98 citations in citation indexes like Web of Science and Scopus.
Cyril Závadský is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Quantitative Methods , Faculty of Economics and Finance , University of Economics in Bratislava . His work bridges informatics with business and healthcare applications. Research Areas: ICT tools, demographic data analysis, economic modeling Key Projects: VEGA 1/0474/12, SK-PL-0040-09, VEGA 1/0376/17 Publications focus on EU demographic trends, alcohol consumption patterns, and technology adoption in education. He serves as Secretary of the Department and Officer for Civil Protection , with expertise in software systems like MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite . His teaching portfolio includes courses in Database Systems , Business Informatics , and ICT Applications , reflecting his commitment to quantitative education.
Prof. Júlia Kanovská Halamová is a Professor of Psychology at the Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava. She holds a PhD in Psychology from Comenius University and has been a registered psychotherapist since 2007. Her academic career includes roles as Head of the Institute of Applied Psychology (2020–2024), and prior positions as Associate Professor (2014–2019) and Assistant Professor (2001–2013). She maintains a private psychotherapy practice and has extensive training in emotion-focused therapy (EFT), compassion-focused therapy, and systemic psychotherapy. Education: 2001 PhD in Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Comenius University 1998 Master’s in Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Comenius University Research Interests: Counseling psychology, emotion regulation, self-compassion interventions, and community psychology. Her work emphasizes translating theoretical frameworks (e.g., compassion-focused therapy) into clinical and community-based applications. She leads research on cross-cultural self-compassion measurement and therapeutic outcomes for diverse populations, including individuals with intellectual disabilities. Grants & Projects: Lead investigator of the Testing the effect of intercultural aspects of compassion (VEGA 1/0075/19) Organized international community psychology conferences (2015–2019) under APA Division 27 Recipient of Norway grants for emotion-focused family therapy training (2015) Labs/Teams: Active in the Institute of Applied Psychology and collaborates with global networks like the International Society for Emotion-Focused Therapy and the Slovak Psychotherapeutic Association. Her work integrates clinical practice with research on compassionate living and emotion-focused training methodologies.
Michaela Bačíková is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics (FEI) of the Technical University of Košice (TUKE). Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), domain usability, and domain analysis, with an emphasis on graphical user interfaces (GUIs), domain-specific languages (DSLs), and gesture-driven interaction. She leads the development of the DEAL tool, a domain analysis framework for extracting domain models from software systems. Her teaching includes courses on component-based programming, web technologies, and user interface design. Research Projects: DEAL (Domain Extraction ALgorithm) : A tool for analyzing GUIs to generate DSLs, ontologies, and usability metrics. EU Project: 'Evolving Architectural Knowledge in the Edge-to-Cloud Continuum' (participant). Educational initiatives: Integrating gesture-driven IDEs and social networks for mentoring in programming courses. Research Interests : Automated domain usability evaluation using DEAL. DSL-driven GUI generation and feature modeling. Innovations in teaching software development and user experience design. Grants & Labs : Recipient of FEI TUKE Grant no. FEI-2015-16 for domain usability metrics research. Active in the FEI lab developing DEAL and related tools.
PhDr. Vladimír Urbánek, Ph.D. serves as deputy head of the Department of Comeniusology and Intellectual History of the Early Modern Age at the Institute of Philosophy of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. A prominent scholar in 17th-century intellectual history, he has been with the Institute since 1990, leading the department from 2012-2021 before assuming his current deputy role. His research focuses on scholarly communication networks, the intellectual world of post-White Mountain exile, and digital approaches to historical correspondence, particularly regarding Jan Amos Comenius. Urbánek earned his Ph.D. in History from Masaryk University in Brno (2005), with a dissertation titled 'Eschatology, knowledge and politics: A contribution to the history of thought of the post-White Mountain exile.' He completed his PhDr. at Charles University in Prague (1988) and his history studies there (1986) with a thesis on 'Strahov Canonry in the period of Josephinism and at the beginning of the national revival.' His scholarly work examines intellectual networks in early modern Europe, with particular emphasis on Comenius studies, the Republic of Letters concept, and digital methodologies for analyzing historical correspondence. Urbánek has pioneered the application of digital tools to reconstruct scholarly networks, notably through projects like the 'Network of Letters' (NETLET) and collaborations with Oxford's 'Cultures of Knowledge' initiative. Urbánek has received prestigious international fellowships including the Visiting Plumer Fellowship at Oxford's St. Anne's College (2022), Mellon Research Fellowships at the Warburg Institute (2011, 1996-1997), and a British Academy study stay at Oxford (2010). As editor-in-chief of Acta Comeniana since 2008 and member of the editorial board for the DJAK edition (Dílo Jana Amose Komenského), he has significantly shaped Comenius scholarship. His public engagement includes innovative projects like the 24-hour online reading of Comenius's works across five continents, the 'Comenius online' webinar series, and the exhibition 'J.A.K.: Komenský v kulturách vzpomínání' (2020), for which he received the 2021 Award for Popularization from the Institute of Philosophy. His media appearances include BBC Radio 4's 'In Our Time' and Czech Television's Christian magazine program.
Ota Pavlíček is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy, Czech Academy of Sciences, where he has been affiliated since 2008. He currently serves as coordinator of the TRIPTIC-EU research group, Principal Investigator for the ERC ACADEMIA project, and deputy head of department. Previously, he held positions as Postdoctoral Researcher (2015–2019) and Researcher (2019–2020), and served as Scientific Secretary of the Collegium Europaeum until 2021. His academic credentials include: PhD in History of Philosophy, Université Paris-Sorbonne (2014), final mark: très honorable avec félicitations du jury ThD in Hussite Theology, Hussite Faculty of Theology, Charles University, Prague (2014), final mark: summa cum laude MA (Mgr.) in Teaching of Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion, Hussite Faculty of Theology, Charles University, Prague (2007), final mark: summa cum laude Pavlíček specializes in the history of knowledge production at Late Medieval and Early Modern European universities, with particular focus on Central European Faculties of Liberal Arts and their connections to Western Europe. His research spans philosophical discussions (metaphysics, logic, astrology), theological debates (especially philosophical theology of the Reformation), and intellectual practices including Arts quodlibets. He actively integrates Digital Humanities methodologies for analyzing medieval textual corpora, bridging historical scholarship with computational approaches. His work demonstrates exceptional expertise in Bohemian intellectual history, particularly the University of Prague's academic culture around 1409. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory exploring quodlibetal debate structures, the philosophical theology of Jerome of Prague and Jan Hus, and the transmission of Wycliffite ideas in Central Europe. His scholarship uniquely combines critical edition work with theoretical analysis of medieval academic practices, while his Digital Humanities projects create innovative pathways for studying historical knowledge production. His scientific recognition includes: 2023 ERC Proof of Concept, Seal of Excellence (project WHEEL) 2020 ERC Starting Grant (project ACADEMIA) 2019 Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers 2016 Otto Wichterle Award of the Czech Academy of Sciences Multiple early-career prizes including Josef Hlávka and Bernard Bolzano Awards Pavlíček directs major research initiatives including the ERC ACADEMIA project reconstructing Arts quodlibetal traditions (1370–1700) and Czech Science Foundation projects on Prague's Faculty of Arts. He has organized over forty international conferences including the annual Studying the Arts in Late Medieval Bohemia series and Prague Talks on Digital Humanities. His public engagement includes co-authoring major exhibitions (Sedm věží, Heretical University), media appearances, and educational materials for schools. He serves on editorial boards for Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum and Questions from History Journal, and maintains active membership in international scholarly societies including SIEPM and Societas Artistarum. He leads the TRIPTIC-EU research group at the Institute of Philosophy, which focuses on medieval knowledge production through interdisciplinary collaboration between historians, digital humanities specialists, and philologists, with particular emphasis on reconstructing academic practices through digital tools.
Ing. Adriana Lukáčiková, PhD., is an Assistant Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Operations Research and Econometrics at the Faculty of Economic Informatics, University of Economics in Bratislava. She has been employed since 1996 and focuses on econometric modeling, macroeconomic analysis, and spatial econometrics. Doctorate in Econometrics and Operations Research (2004), University of Economics in Bratislava Masters in Mathematical Methods in Economics (1993), University of Economics in Bratislava Her research spans asymmetric price reactions in energy markets, spatial spillover effects in EU regional development, Bayesian econometric methods , and macroeconomic impacts of pandemics . She collaborates on VEGA and KEGA grants related to green economy transitions and structural parameter estimation. Current grant projects include: VEGA 1/0052/24: Estimating structural parameters in macroeconomic models KEGA 026EU-4/2024: Interactive web-based quantitative economic analysis textbook VEGA 1/0047/23: Spatial spillovers in EU green economy initiatives Lukáčiková contributes to scientific societies as a member of the Slovak Society for Economic Informatics and the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Economic Informatics. Her teaching includes econometrics and management science courses at bachelor and master levels.
William Steingartner is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice (TUKE). He specializes in formal languages, programming language semantics, cybersecurity, and computer science education. His research focuses on advancing pedagogical tools for teaching formal semantics, compiler design, and secure software development. He actively contributes to academic governance, serving as Principal Investigator on projects like 'Application of new principles in the education of IT specialists' and participating in 'Evolving Architectural Knowledge in the Edge-to-Cloud Continuum.' Dr. Steingartner holds editorial roles, including guest editor for the Central European Journal of Computer Science (since 2011) and editor of proceedings for conferences like INFORMATICS 2019. He has organized major events such as the International Scientific Conference Informatics in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019, demonstrating leadership in academic event management. His teaching spans formal languages, logic for computer scientists, and domain-specific language design. Research highlights include developing tools like OnlineProver for formal logic education and RISCAL for semantics visualization. He explores cybersecurity challenges in hybrid threats, API security, and cyber resilience strategies, alongside innovations in VR applications for therapy and education. Key contributions include over 50 publications since 2015, with recent work addressing disinformation campaigns, smart orthosis design, and pedagogical software for programming semantics. He emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging theoretical computer science with practical applications in medicine, robotics, and user experience design.
