Elena Kašťáková is an Associate Professor at the Department of International Trade, Bratislava University of Economics and Business . Her research focuses on EU trade strategies, geoeconomic relations, agri-food trade, and the impact of geopolitical changes on international commerce. Academic Rank: Associate Professor Department: International Trade Her recent publications address topics like the Eurasian Economic Union's influence on EU trade , agri-food trade under Russian sanctions , and China-EU trade dynamics via the Belt and Road Initiative . Her work often employs econometric models, trade intensity indices, and comparative advantage analysis. She leads VEGA projects such as Význam Eurázijskej hospodárskej únie pre formovanie obchodných stratégií EÚ and Vplyv geopolitických zmien na presadzovanie strategických zahraničnoobchodných záujmov EÚ . Her research has been published in journals like International Organisations Research Journal and Vestnik Sankt-Peterburgskogo universiteta .
Jana Fortes is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Slovakia. She teaches Applied Statistics, Cryptography, and Mathematics courses, including Numerical Mathematics and Probability and Statistics. Her research focuses on signal processing for localization and tracking systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radar and sensor networks. Teaching: Applied Statistics, Cryptography, Mathematics I/II, Numerical Mathematics, Probability and Statistics, Mathematics Tutoring Research: UWB radar signal processing for person localization and tracking, software development (MATLAB, LabVIEW), cluster analysis for movement detection. Publications: Recent work includes studies on 2D/3D localization algorithms, UWB sensor system implementations, and mathematical analyses of graph crossing numbers. Contact: Email: jana.fortes@tuke.sk , Room N32 615, Phone: +421 55 602 3252.
Associate Professor Dušan Medved serves at the Department of Electrical Power Engineering within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics at the Technical University of Košice. As Head of the Electricity Generation and Distribution Department, he plays a key leadership role in shaping electrical engineering education and research at the institution. His extensive teaching portfolio spans fundamental electrical engineering concepts through to specialized topics in power systems and renewable energy technologies. Medved's research interests primarily focus on power system modeling, renewable energy integration, and smart grid technologies . His work demonstrates particular expertise in photovoltaic systems, electric vehicle integration, electromagnetic field analysis, and power quality assessment. He has developed significant expertise in using EMTP-ATP software for power system transient analysis and has published extensively on modeling techniques for electrical power engineering applications. An analysis of his recent publications (2023-2024) reveals a strong emphasis on the integration of renewable energy sources into power grids, with particular attention to photovoltaic systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and energy storage solutions. His work bridges theoretical modeling with practical implementation challenges, addressing critical issues such as grid stability during high renewable penetration, optimal sizing of energy storage systems, and maximizing self-consumption of locally generated renewable energy. The interdisciplinary nature of his research connects electrical engineering with energy economics and environmental considerations. Medved has been actively involved in teaching a wide range of courses including Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering, Electrothermal Technology, Electrical Energy Transformations, and Modeling in Electrical Power Engineering. His teaching materials demonstrate a hands-on approach with practical assignments covering resistance furnace design, arc steelmaking furnace analysis, and power system modeling using EMTP-ATP software. His commitment to education is evident in his development of numerous teaching resources and student projects spanning from 2012 to the present.
Štefan Rehák is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Public Administration and Regional Development at the University of Economics in Bratislava. His academic career focuses on regional development, urban economics, and spatial analysis. He holds a PhD and serves as a ResearchGate profiled scholar in regional sciences. Affiliations: Faculty of Economics and Finance, University of Economics in Bratislava Key Roles: Department Head, Academic Researcher, Educator His research explores human capital migration, innovation ecosystems, and spatial economic dynamics. Specific interests include hedonic pricing models for real estate, local economic impacts of major events, and regional policy effectiveness. Research Trends: Over 60+ publications emphasize urban development, creativity metrics in economies, and EU regional policy analysis. Grants & Projects: Led projects on university impact assessment (UNIREG), creative economy stimulation (KRENAR), and EU cohesion policy evaluations. He advises on regional innovation strategies and collaborates internationally on topics like smart cities and academic patenting trends.
Dr. Yannick Cornet serves as a Senior Researcher of Intelligent Transport Systems at the University of Žilina, Slovakia, where he joined the ERAdiate research team in February 2018. His work primarily focuses on sustainable transport appraisal and transition within the H2020 Mobility and Time Value (MoTiV) project. His research expertise centers on sustainable transport indicators, innovative decision-support tools for complex sustainability aspects like equity and long-term environmental impacts, and smartphone-based multi-modal diaries for experiential travel data collection. Cornet bridges quantitative and qualitative methodologies, conducting structured interviews with experts while analyzing diverse transport scales from local cycling to national high-speed rail projects. His work emphasizes traveler perspectives in door-to-door journeys and socio-technical enablers for real-time car-pooling. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on travel time valuation frameworks, multimodal experience assessment, and sustainable urban mobility transitions. Key themes include 'worthwhile travel time' conceptualization, 15-minute city navigation challenges, and paradoxes in smart mobility innovations. His methodology heavily utilizes smartphone-based data collection across European contexts. Cornet actively engages with transport stakeholders including planning agencies, industry CEOs, and civil society. He co-authored the Transport 2050 Strategic Outlook for the TRANSFORuM project, contributing to European White Paper transport goals. His professional background includes 10 years as a project manager in telecommunications prior to academia. His educational background spans multiple continents: PhD in Transport from Technical University of Denmark (2016) with visiting research at University of Oxford; Master's in Technological and Socio-Economic Planning from Roskilde University (2013); and Bachelor's in Software Engineering from Sherbrooke University, Canada (1997).
Martina Škodová is a lecturer at the Department of Geography and Geology at Matej Bel University , where she serves as Deputy Head of Department. Her academic work spans geography education, geology, and ecosystem analysis, with a focus on innovative teaching methods and environmental studies. Research Interests : Geography education, educational technology, forest ecology, and ecosystem assessment. Teaching Focus : Inquiry-based learning, virtual reality integration, and skill development in geography and biology education. Recent publications highlight her contributions to inquiry-based pedagogy , virtual reality in education , and landscape-ecosystem dynamics . She has also led projects like IT Akadémia , emphasizing digital tools and curriculum innovation for primary and secondary schools.
Sándor Szénási is a Professor at the Department of Informatics within the Faculty of Economics and Informatics at J. Selye University, where he serves as the person responsible for the Applied Informatics study program. With over two decades of academic experience, he has established himself as a leading researcher in parallel programming, GPU programming, and image processing, with recent expansion into machine learning applications. Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Science and Informatics (2001-2004): Information technology teacher Budapest Polytechnic, John von Neumann Faculty of Information Technology (1997-2001): B. Engineer in Information Technology Óbuda University (2010-2013): PhD in Applied Informatics Habilitation at Óbuda University (2019): Information Science and Technology Professor inauguration at Óbuda University (2022) Szénási's research spans computational methods with practical applications across multiple domains. His early work focused on parallel and GPU programming for image segmentation and heat transfer simulation. More recently, he has integrated machine learning techniques with traditional computational approaches, particularly in metaheuristic optimization, speech processing, and inverse problem solving. His interdisciplinary research bridges computer science with transportation safety, manufacturing, and medical applications. His recent publications reveal a clear evolution toward hybrid computational approaches that combine machine learning with traditional algorithms. There is a strong emphasis on optimization techniques, particularly metaheuristics enhanced with machine learning components. His work spans diverse application areas including speech emotion recognition, autonomous vehicle control, additive manufacturing, and heat transfer simulation, while maintaining a core focus on computational efficiency and parallel processing. Szénási has been actively involved in multiple EFOP-funded research projects including 'Improvement of higher education institutes for better teaching quality and accessibility,' 'Dynamics and control of autonomous vehicles,' and 'Solving the Inverse Heat Conduction Problem with Machine Learning.' His collaborative work with researchers like Gábor Kertész, Zoltán Vámossy, and Imre Felde demonstrates his commitment to interdisciplinary research.
Michal Stričík is an Associate Professor at the Department of Commercial Entrepreneurship within the Faculty of Commercial Entrepreneurship at the University of Economics in Bratislava. He serves as a study advisor for the second-degree program in Corporate Financial Management (CFM-Michalovce) and teaches courses including Environmental Economics, Green Marketing, Hospitality Management, and Regional Development. Research Interests : Business economics, waste management, sustainable development, environmental economics, and regional development, with a focus on municipal waste policy, citizen behavior, industrial energy efficiency, and food safety. Publications span topics such as sustainable waste systems, consumer behavior analytics, and antimicrobial food preservation. His work integrates environmental economics with practical applications in business and regional planning. Scientific projects include grants like VEGA 1/0450/24 and KEGA 035EU-4/2022 , emphasizing policy adaptation and post-pandemic sustainability challenges. No formal awards are listed in the provided text.
Dana Benešová serves as an Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism within the Faculty of Commerce at Bratislava University of Economics and Business. Her academic profile demonstrates deep specialization in tourism innovation, service economics, and sustainable business development, with particular focus on high-growth service enterprises (gazelles) and ecological innovation in hospitality. Her research interests center on innovation dynamics in service sectors, with emphasis on: Technology adoption and ICT implementation in service enterprises Sustainable growth models for tourism businesses Characteristics and economic impact of service gazelles Eco-innovation management in urban hotel environments Regional development challenges in European tourism Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in Slovak and European contexts. Research trends evident in her publications show consistent focus on innovation measurement and implementation challenges, particularly examining how service enterprises leverage innovation for competitive advantage. Her recent work increasingly addresses sustainability imperatives and post-pandemic recovery strategies in tourism, with methodological approaches combining quantitative analysis of business performance metrics with qualitative examination of innovation barriers. Research funding includes significant participation in national grant projects: KEGA 007EU-4/2020: Interactive interdisciplinary teaching of Tourism Services and Innovation using information technologies (Principal Investigator) KEGA 034EU-4/2020: Content and technical innovative approaches to regional tourism teaching (Co-investigator) VEGA 1/0205/14: Perspective of dynamic service enterprises in Slovakia within Innovation Union initiative (Co-investigator) KEGA 027EU-4/2016: Textbook Foundations of Business for secondary schools (Co-investigator) Her teaching portfolio includes courses on Tourism Service Analysis and Trends, Business Services, Tourism Innovations, and Tourism Geography, reflecting the integration of her research expertise into academic instruction. While specific laboratory affiliations aren't documented, her work demonstrates strong collaboration with the Research Institute of Trade and Sustainable Business at her institution.
Ing. Jana Chovancová, PhD. is an Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Economy and Management, Faculty of Management and Business, University of Presov. She holds a PhD in Environmental Management from Technical University in Košice, with bachelor's and master's degrees in Operations Management and Environmental Protection Technology. Education: Bachelor's: Operations Management, Technical University in Košice Master's: Environmental Protection Technology, Technical University in Košice Doctoral: Environmental Management, Technical University in Košice Research Interests: Focuses on environmental management systems, voluntary environmental policy initiatives in corporations, and sustainability of energy systems in the EU. Engaged in over 20 national/international projects including VEGA, KEGA, APVV, ESF, TEMPUS, and Norway Grants. Co-developed an Innovation Voucher project with local companies. Professional Activities: Conducted international internships at Technical University of Novi Sad, Bucharest University of Technology, Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and Cyprus University of Technology. Author/co-author of >200 publications (40 in Web of Science). Teaching: Teaches Operations Management, Logistics, and Managerial Decision Making. Office hours: Mon 10:40-11:20 and Thu 9:00-10:30 (by prior email arrangement). Office Location: Room 412, 3rd floor, Konštantínova 16, Prešov.
Tomáš ČERNĚNKO is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Public Administration and Regional Development , Faculty of Economics and Finance, Bratislava University of Economics and Business. He serves as the AiS coordinator and teaches courses in public administration, regional management, and political decision-making. His research focuses on public sector efficiency, regional development strategies, and EU integration impacts, with a particular emphasis on Slovak local governance structures and administrative reforms. Education & Research: While specific academic qualifications are not detailed, his roles and publications indicate expertise in public policy and regional studies. He coordinates projects like the KEGA-funded curriculum innovation in public administration education. Research Interests: Public Administration Reform : Analyzing administrative fragmentation and municipal restructuring in Slovakia. Regional Policy : Evaluating strategies to address disparities in service provision and socioeconomic growth. Local Governance : Assessing fiscal management, electoral dynamics, and citizen participation in urban and rural areas. Key Projects: Manažment výkonnosti v miestnej samospráve (VEGA project). REDIS and KRENAR projects on knowledge economy and creative economy impacts. International collaborations including OTKA Hungary on subsidiarity in public finances. Labs & Networks: Engaged with the Society for Regional Science and Politics and contributes to interdisciplinary research at the Faculty's Competence Center. His work is part of the Bee4R LAB and SecureDataLab initiatives.
Branislav Parajka is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Accounting and Auditing , Faculty of Economic Informatics at the University of Economics in Bratislava . With a career spanning since 2009, he combines academic work with practical expertise in financial reporting and forensic accounting. Employment History : Accountant at Alfa konti (2004-2007), IT technician at Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva (2002-2004). Education : Pedagogical education (2013), ECDL expert certification (2008), and professional training in IT and English. Research Focus : His work primarily addresses financial reporting standards , IFRS adoption , and cryptocurrency regulation in Slovakia, with a focus on SMEs and regional economic development. Recent projects examine tourism performance metrics and digital accounting systems. Grant Participation : Active in APVV-16-0602 (Enhancing accounting information relevance) and VEGA grants (cryptocurrencies, audit reputation risk). Also contributed to organizing Winter Schools of Forensic Accounting (2014-2018).
Martin Kuchta is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Marketing, Faculty of Economics and Finance, Bratislava University of Economics and Business. His research focuses on digital marketing, consumer behavior, and machine learning applications in marketing. University: Bratislava University of Economics and Business Department: Department of Marketing Research Interests: Digital marketing, influencer marketing, programmatic buying, and data-driven marketing strategies. His work explores the intersection of technology, consumer behavior, and advertising effectiveness. Recent Publications: Analyze shopper marketing dynamics (2022), podcast evolution (2021), ad blocker impacts (2018), and machine learning adoption in digital marketing (2019). Projects: Principal investigator for PMVP I-17-106-00 on programmatic buying challenges, and contributor to VEGA and KEGA grants related to influencer marketing and digital education.
Prof. Andrea Bencsik is a Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Informatics, J. Selye University, leading the Department of Economics and Management. She holds a rigorous academic background with a PhD in Economics from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (1993) and habilitation in Human Resource Management (2008). Her research focuses on knowledge management, organizational development, sustainable leadership, and digital transformation. As a key academic, she advises on core programs such as Corporate Economics and Management and Business Economics and Management. Prof. Bencsik has contributed to over 284 publications across peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and edited volumes, emphasizing themes like leadership in the digital era and cross-cultural management. Her recent works include organizing the European Conference on Knowledge Management (2024) and co-editing Springer’s *Digital Transformation: What is the Company of Today?* (2023). She actively engages in grants like the Early Stage Grant for J. Selye University (2023) and leads projects on cybersecurity and institutional development. Her contributions span international collaborations with institutions like Universiti Putra Malaysia and the Nordic academic network.
Tomáš Jacko is an Assistant Professor and Lecturer at the Department of Public Administration and Regional Development within the Faculty of Economics and Finance at the University of Economics in Bratislava. He holds a PhD in Public Policy and specializes in public administration, local governance, and participatory democracy. His research focuses on decentralization, anti-corruption strategies, and institutional reforms in transition democracies, with a particular emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe. Dr. Jacko's academic contributions include studies on participatory policy-making, local government reforms, and the role of technology in education. He has co-authored books such as *Local Reforms in Transition Democracies* and *Participatívne procesy v praxi*, which analyze governance models and civic engagement mechanisms. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical case studies, such as anti-corruption approaches in Slovak municipalities. He teaches courses on Critical Thinking, Ethics, Public Policy, and Public Administration, emphasizing ethical governance and transparency. While no formal awards are cited, his active research collaborations with institutions like the Bee4R LAB and involvement in projects on regional development reflect his commitment to applied policy analysis. Dr. Jacko's professional network includes partnerships with universities in Slovakia, the UK, and beyond, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to public administration challenges.
