Days at MUNI: with Magdalena Votápková, a student at the Faculty of Science

She came to study biochemistry by chance. Her grandparents, who were chemists, influenced her choice of university.
As I like to say, I came to study biochemistry by chance. My grandparents, who were chemists, influenced my choice of university. In high school, I was drawn to both biology and chemistry. I hesitated over which science to choose. When I learned about biochemistry, I felt that this was finally it. It is not a direct combination of my two favorite disciplines, but it is an independent and dynamic field. I was completely absorbed by research at the elementary level of genes and proteins and the discovery of the unexplored. I have never regretted my choice.

I also fell in love with Masaryk University, which I considered as one of three options. Why did I choose it? First of all, I was charmed by the friendly attitude towards students during the very well-organized admission process.

Participation in the world's largest synthetic biology competition

My biggest opportunity so far has been to be part of the iGEM Brno team, which participated in this year's iGEM Competition. Our 23-member team, composed of representatives not only from MU but also from BUT, is working on the cultivation and genetic modification of the duckweed plant. We are developing a system and cultivation container that will enable us to grow duckweed on diluted manure and use it to create protein-rich feed for livestock. We are trying to revolutionize agriculture and make it more sustainable, thus helping it cope with climate change.

Studying must be enjoyable above all else

Not only in the study of natural sciences, but in higher education in general, organization and the ability to achieve self-fulfillment are key prerequisites. The biggest difference I noticed when I transferred from high school is that no one puts pressure on us; everything depends solely on our willingness to learn. At the same time, homework takes a lot of time, but it is more or less voluntary. This does not mean that as natural scientists we are constantly buried in books or conducting research in the laboratory. It is necessary to find a healthy balance between school and free time.

As biochemists, we have a practical bachelor's degree, which involves compulsory research, on the basis of which we write our final project. For mine, I chose a research group in environmental biotechnology, where I am involved in the production and purification of the P11 protein containing the rhodanase domain in sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. It takes up quite a lot of my time, but it's my own choice, and it's become a huge hobby for me.

However, I see my future profession outside of laboratory work, as I am interested in applying scientific knowledge in practice, for example in the field of scientific communication, product consulting, project management, or innovation.

Working at the Mendel Museum

I got my job as a guide at the Mendel Museum and the Augustinian Abbey through a friend who was leaving and looking for a replacement. It will soon be three years since I started. As a big fan of Mendel, I am happy to be able to introduce others to his life and personality, which I consider to be the most significant person ever born in our country. He laid the foundations for a field that is changing the world: genetics.

What I enjoy most about my work is the contact with people. I like talking to them, and sometimes I even learn something new myself. We have a great team, where I have found good friends, and management that organizes a number of team-building events for us. We also provide tours in foreign languages, which has helped me gain confidence in my English. Foreigners are very interested in us, and Mendel is a celebrity abroad.

University life

MU itself offers me countless opportunities for personal development. Last semester, the Titivillus theater group based at the Faculty of Arts put me on the stage in an adaptation of Aristophanes' Lysistrata. I also attended the MUNIvoices choir at the Faculty of Education. In my free time, which is constantly dwindling before my final exams, I enjoy sports (I ran my first half marathon in the fall!), singing and playing the ukulele, reading fantasy novels, studying geology, and spending time with friends.

Last summer, I took advantage of the Erasmus+ program, which allowed me to travel with the EYCB organization to Latvia for two weeks, where I discovered the beauty of the Baltic States. The aim of the trip was a kind of mind mentoring focused on overcoming obstacles in life. It was my first time traveling completely alone, and it gave me many new friends and international contacts. It was the best fourteen days of my entire vacation.

Take advantage of Erasmus, for two weeks, three months, half a year—it will enrich you immensely. And I will add a piece of wisdom that I came to at the end of my sixth semester: sleep well, eat well, and treat yourself to at least a short walk every day, so you can better cope with the inevitable stress.

The author of the article is a student at the Faculty of Social Studies and a member of the student editorial board of Magazín M.