People

Vyshakh Manayath Panakkal
I was born and brought up in Kerala, the southern part of India and obtained my master’s degree at the University of Rennes 1, France. I worked on ring-opening polymerization using an organometallic catalyst with an industrial collaboration at the Institute des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes. For my PhD, I am excited to synthesize polymer nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications using polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). Besides academics, I enjoy cooking and landscape photography.

Tuba Ayca Tunca Arin
I was born and grew up in Istanbul, Turkey. I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry, at Bogazici University. In my sophomore year, I started my research about polymers thanks to Prof. Amitav Sanyal in the Sanyal research group. During my master’s, I synthesized dual-functional polymer-coated responsive magnetic materials for cancer therapeutics under his supervision. In October 2022, I joined the Sedlacek polymer and biomaterial synthesis group for my Ph.D. Currently, my research focuses on the synthesis of highly functional polymer materials for biomedical applications. Outside of chemistry, I enjoy cooking, spending my time with cats & dogs and I have a sea-shell collection.

Martin Orságh
I grew up in Martin, Slovakia, and earned my master’s degree in Macromolecular Chemistry at Charles University. During my undergraduate studies, I have been working on the development of novel multiresponsive drug-delivery systems. Now a PhD candidate at Charles University, my research focuses on advanced photopolymerization techniques, with a particular emphasis on radical and cationic RAFT polymerizations, and the use of these polymers as MRI contrast agents. Outside of my research, I enjoy reading, biking and collecting minerals.

Ondrej Kopilec
Coming from north Slovakia where I grew up. I studied chemistry at Charles University, with a focus on advanced polymer materials – in this research group. My bachelor’s studies focused on the antifouling properties of polyacrylamides, while my master’s studies focused on dynamic covalent networks. I really liked it, so I decided to continue for PhD, with the same topic. Outside the lab, you can find me outdoors – climbing, skiing, or cycling. And I´m also a beekeeper.

Saeed Salamatgharamaleki
I was born and raised in Tabriz, Iran. I received my master’s degree in Materials Science and Nanoengineering from Sabanci University in Istanbul, Turkey. During my master’s, I worked on the synthesis and functionalization of responsive poly(2-oxazoline) polymers as latent curing agents in the field of composite manufacturing. Currently, a PhD student at Charles university, My research focuses on the synthesis highly functional poly(2-oxazoline) polymers as nanocatalysts  for tandem reactions. Aside from my research, I enjoy reading, playing volleyball, and painting in my free time.

Kundan Patel
I come from India and completed my masters(BS-MS) at Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, India. My academic pursuits are focused on polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, and stimuli-responsive systems. My master thesis was on the synthesis of water-soluble, stimuli-responsive polyurethane polymers aimed at exploring their potential as drug delivery vehicles under the supervision of Prof. Priyadarsi De. I joined the Polymer Synthesis and Biomaterials Lab for synthesizing smart polymer coatings for nanoparticles to exploit their potential for stabilizing Pickering emulsions and interfacial catalysis. Beside academics I love nature walks, listening music and sleeping.

Nima Reihani

I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, and have been living in Prague for the past 5 years. I received my bachelor’s degree in Polymer Engineering from Tehran Polytechnic University. For bachelor’s, I focused on using the immersion-precipitation 3D printing to create porous shape memory polymers for biomedical devices within the research group of Dr. Shadab Bagheri. Then, my passion for deeper research in polymer chemistry brought me to the PSB group at Charles University. Now in my master’s project, I am using the polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) to synthesize gradient flower-like micelles and injectable hydrogels for potential biomedical applications. Outside of the lab, I am a flautist with a passion for a wide range of music genres. I also enjoy hiking, brewing coffee, and swimming as refreshing activities.

Anna Zajíčková
I was born and grew up in Havlíčkův Brod, a small town in the middle of the Czech Republic, and I completed my high school studies in Humpolec. Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by the ingredients of cosmetics products. Nowadays, as a bachelor student in the PSB group, I am working on the synthesis of fluorinated derivatives of hyaluronic acid as 19F MRI tracers at the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine. In the future, I would like to continue with the research on hyaluronic acid and create new formulas for skin disease treatments using this macromolecular carbohydrate. Aside from the chemistry life, I am an accordionist, and I love bringing joy to other people with my accordion and voice. I also enjoy working in a local-brand organic cosmetic store and running.

Erica Cuozzo
I come from a very small village in the area of Trento, northern Italy, and during my high school years, I lived for a year in Minnesota, United States. I am now living here in Prague as the only international student in my year of the English Bachelor of Science. I joined the research group in September, and I am working on creating a library of nanoparticles with a fluorine signal with possible applications for magnetic resonance imaging. I am synthesizing my nanoparticle using PISA (polymerization-induced self-assembly) from a variety of monomers. Outside of Science, I would define myself as extraverted and people loving; in my free time I like cooking (as any respectful Italian), drawing, traveling and attempting to learn Czech.