International Cooperation
In June, after lengthy negotiations, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP) was established, complementing the existing panels on biodiversity and climate.
At the Stockholm and Minamata Convention conferences, we presented how the PARC projects and the EIRENE infrastructure support the implementation of international commitments.
We contributed to the creation of the Global Exposome Forum and organized the international symposium “Genomics meets Exposomics” at the Mendel Museum.
Research and Projects
We completed the EIRENE PPP project and prepared for the launch of the EIRENE ERIC infrastructure.
We submitted a record 90 project proposals, including 41 to Horizon Europe, and launched four new projects, including DTRIP4H (digital twins for personalized medicine).
We also secured additional projects under OP JAK, GAČR, and AZV.
Education
More than 300 applicants applied to our study programs, and 128 students enrolled.
17 PhD students successfully defended their dissertations, and 14 new students joined the PhD program.
Achievements of Our Staff and Students
The Academic Senate of the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University elected Luděk Bláha, head of the Toxicology research program and former Vice-Dean for Doctoral Studies, as the new Dean. He will assume office on February 1.
Hynek Pikhart, who leads the Environmental Epidemiology research group at RECETOX, was appointed professor by the President of the Czech Republic in June. Before the end of the year, Klára Hilscherová also defended her professorship before the Scientific Council of MU. For her research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and associated environmental and health risks, Klára received the South Moravian Region Award and the MU Rector’s Award for long-term outstanding research results in natural sciences and medicine. Petra Bořilová Linhartová also began her professorship.
Lisa Emily Melymuk, head of the Chemical Pollutants and Human Exposure Routes research group, became Associate Professor in Environmental Health, and Eva Budínská began her habilitation. David Bednář from the Loschmidt Laboratories received the MUNI Scientist award for his exceptional scientific achievements.
Luděk Sehnal received the MUNI Junior Star grant for promising researchers to prepare project proposals for prestigious individual grants (GA ČR JUNIOR STAR, ERC, etc.). The next step in Luděk’s career will be moving to the Institute of Experimental Biology, where he will lead the microorganism collection.
At the sixth Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, Kateřina Šebková, Director of the Regional Centre for Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, was honored for her long-term work as Co-Chair of the Effectiveness Evaluation Group.
PhD student Daniel Pluskal from the Loschmidt Laboratories received the Government Award for Gifted Students, and his colleague Jan Mičan won the Make Our Planet Great Again Prize for environmental research. This prestigious award is presented by the Embassy of France in Prague and BNP Paribas Bank. This year’s Brno Ph.D. Talent scholarship was awarded to PhD students from the Loschmidt Laboratories: Jan Česnek, Tim de Martines, Martin Havlásek, and Monika Rosinská. Student Ondřej Přibyl from Eko Gymnázium Brno, with his SOČ project conducted at RECETOX under Jan Kuta’s supervision, won the national round of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize CZ competition.
Science Communication
RECETOX participated in events such as Mendel Festival, Researchers’ Night, and more than 30 other public outreach activities. We also organized over 20 excursions for secondary schools.
Infrastructure and Publications
We became a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) and continued as a WHO Collaborating Centre.
Our researchers published 161 articles, including in prestigious journals such as Nature Medicine and The Lancet Regional Health.
We thank all colleagues, partners, and students for the achievements of 2025. Together, we enter 2026 determined to continue protecting the environment and human health.
