Global Women’s Breakfast
The traditional IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast (#GWB2026) will once again take place at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (UCT Prague) in Uhelna on February 10, 2026.
This year’s theme is “Many Voices, One Science.”
The event is organised by Jitka Čejková and Suada Dukaj.
Registration form for GWB 2026
If you register for the GWB and later find that you are unable to attend, please let us know so that we can offer your place to someone else, as capacity is limited.
The programme of this year’s Global Women’s Breakfast reflects the theme “Many Voices, One Science” in its fullest sense. Our speakers come from different backgrounds, sectors, and career stages, yet all contribute to the same scientific community. The line-up includes women and men, early-career researchers and established professors, a high-school student at the beginning of her scientific journey, representatives of academia and industry, as well as a voice from the diplomatic sphere. Many of the speakers have been recognised with prestigious national and international awards, underscoring the excellence present across these diverse paths.
The contributions are not intended as classical scientific lectures. Instead, the speakers will share their stories behind the science — what motivated them, what challenged them, what failed along the way, and what helped them persist. By openly reflecting on successes as well as setbacks, they aim to motivate, encourage, and connect with colleagues across generations. Together, these many voices illustrate how different experiences, perspectives, and journeys ultimately shape one shared science.
Agenda
Event Moderator: Ing. Suada Dukaj
08:00 – 08:30 WELCOME COFFEE & BREAKFAST
08:30 – 08:45 Event Opening (doc. Ing. Jitka Čejková, Ph.D.; Ing. Anna Mittnerová)
08:45 – 10:00 PRESENTATIONS
08:45 – 08:55 Ing. Anna-Marie Lauermanová, Ph.D. – Researcher Associate at UCT Prague
08:55 – 09:05 Aleksandra Dumičić, Ph.D. – Head of Consumer Health Care Science and Innovation – Zentiva
09:05– 09:15 Prof. Ing. František Štěpánek, Ph.D. – Professor at UCT Prague
09:15 – 09:25 Ing. Hana Macíčková – Cahová, Ph.D. – Senior Research Group Leader at Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS
09:25 – 09:35 Msc. Filipa M. Oliveira, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor at UCT Prague
09:35 – 09:45 Mrs. Albesjana Iberhysaj – Ambassador of Republic of Kosovo to Czech Republic
09:45 – 10:10 COFFEE BREAK
10:10 – 11:05 PRESENTATIONS
10:10 – 10:20 Stella De Almeida Gonsales, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor at UCT Prague
10:20 – 10:30 Doc. Ing. Alexandr Zubov, Ph.D. – Associate Professor at UCT Prague
10:30 – 10:40 Ing. Edith Mawunya Kutorglo, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor at UCT Prague
10:40 – 10:50 Ing. Anna Vanluchene, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor at UCT Prague
10:50 – 11:00 Mgr. Jana Krajčová, Ph.D., MA – Assistant Professor at UCT Prague
11:00 – 11:10 Adela Podholova – High School Student
11:10 – 11:15 Closing
11:15 – 11:30 COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING
List of Speakers
The list of speakers is presented in alphabetical order.
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Aleksandra Dumičić, Ph.D.Head of CHC Science and Innovation – Zentiva Aleksandra Dumičić is the Head of Consumer Health Care Science and Innovation at Zentiva, a leading European company specialized in generic pharmaceuticals. In her role, she is responsible for the introduction of new product proposals, techniques, and technologies, thus contributing to the development of innovative consumer healthcare products within Zentiva's pipeline. Over the course of her pharmaceutical career, Aleksandra has led numerous multinational teams and development projects, which have resulted in the creation of high-quality pharmaceutical products used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases. |
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Stella De Almeida Gonsales, Ph.D.Stella Gonsales is an assistant professor at University of Chemistry and Technology Prague. Her research focuses on developing efficient catalysts and methods for chemical recycling of common plastics to return them to useful monomer chemicals. Her postdoctoral training included research positions in the USA and Europe, and she is a recent recipient of the Junior Star Grant and the Dagmar Procházková Fund. |
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Mrs. Albesjana IberhysajAmbassador of Republic of Kosovo to Czech Republic |
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Ing. Edith Mawunya Kutorglo, Ph.D.Edith Kutorglo is a research associate at University of Chemistry and Technology Prague. Within her scientific work she is developing new catalyst materials which could, together with the energy from sunlight be used to drive certain reactions for producing cleaner energy. Her post-doctoral training included research positions in Germany and Ghana as an MSCA grant recipient, and she is passionate about mentoring early-career researchers. |
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Ing. Anna-Marie Lauermanová, Ph.D.Anna-Marie Lauermanová is a researcher at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague. In the Advanced Composite Materials group, she researches new ecological composites that can replace classic cement in the future - one of the largest producers of CO₂ emissions. She is the recipient of the Doctorandus Award given by the Česka Hlava organisation (i.e. Czech Brain) for obtaining excellent results during her PhD studies. |
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Ing. Hana Macíčková – Cahová, Ph.D.IOCB Senior Research Group Leader |
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Adela PodholovaHigh School Student Adela Podholova is a young scientist in the making who, at just 16, already works in a research group at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague. Passionate about science, she received the Dítě Česka Award (i.e. The Child of Czechia) granted by UNICEF for her outstanding activities in the field of science. Her participation provides a valuable opportunity to gain insights from younger generations. |
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Prof. Ing. František Štěpánek, Ph.D.František Štěpánek is a professor at University of Chemistry and Technology Prague. His research focuses on particle engineering, including the controlled design and manufacturing of micro- and nanomaterials for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. He has mentored over 50 PhD students throughout his academic career and has received numerous prestigious awards in medicine (Neuron Award), chemistry (first recipient of the ERC grant in the Czech Republic), and pedagogy (Werner von Siemens Award). |
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Ing. Anna Vanluchene, Ph.D.Anna Vanluchene is an assistant professor at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague. Her research focuses on sustainable chemical engineering, particularly the development of novel photocatalytic processes and microreactor systems for fine chemical synthesis. She completed her postdoctoral training in Belgium as an MSCA grant recipient and is also a recipient of the Dagmar Procházková Fund. |
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Doc. Ing. Alexandr Zubov, Ph.D.Alexandr Zubov is associate professor at University of Chemistry and Technology Prague. His research focuses on process systems engineering and advanced mathematical modelling of reaction and transport processes in chemical engineering. He completed his postdoctoral training in Denmark and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the recent Vitriol Award for Best Teacher at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering. |