The MENDELU Rector’s Awards of Mendel University in Brno are presented for significant and exceptional achievements or contributions by students and university staff in the fields of science, education, sports, and the arts, as well as for contributions to the development of civil society. Nominations for the awards are submitted by the dean or director of university institute and the chair of the Academic Senate based on proposals from its individual members. The rector decides on the awarding of the prizes. Each recipient receives a certificate, a medal, and a commemorative gift.
“The stories of this year’s honorees clearly show that it is not only the result itself that has value, but also what others gain thanks to their work—new knowledge, experiences passed on to students and younger colleagues, help for people, or inspiration for those who are still searching for their own path. This is precisely where I see one of the most important purposes of the work we do at the university,” said Martin Klimánek, Rector of Mendel University in Brno.
Thomas Jung from the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology received the award today for long-term and/or outstanding achievements in creative activities in the field of natural and technical sciences. “I engaged into science with the strong conviction that my research is relevant and makes a difference. That keeps me going, even when difficulties arise. This award means a lot to me because it acknowledges the dedicated excellent research that my team and I have performed over many years,” said the scientist, who also heads the Phytophthora Research Center.
“I am pleased to receive this award as recognition of my work, in which I strive to connect research with the practical care of trees. I also see it as recognition of my collaboration with colleagues and the support of my family, without whose help many of these results would not have been possible. It encourages me to continue research that helps us better understand trees and provides useful insights for their care,” said Valentino Cristini, who received the award for outstanding achievements in creative activities by early-career researchers under the age of 35.
Jan Veselský accepted the award for Outstanding Achievement in Master’s Studies. “It’s a joy to be recognized for work that I truly enjoy. Receiving the Rector’s Award is a great honor, but for me, it’s mainly motivation to keep going. It’s also a reminder that I’m surrounded by a team of wonderful people, because my colleagues—both at the university and beyond—have played a major role in the results that led to this award,” he explained.
Kateřina Patloková from the Faculty of Horticulture received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Doctoral Studies. “Winning the Rector’s Award was a pleasant surprise for me, and I see it as symbolic confirmation that my daily work has meaning and that I’m not the only one who thinks so. I really appreciate it, and of course, it’s a great source of encouragement and motivation for the future. I’m increasingly realizing that what motivates me most is working on projects that have practical applications and won’t just remain ‘on paper in a drawer.’ I enjoy bridging the gap between academia and the private sector, and at the same time, I really enjoy teaching and passing on my experience,” she said.
“For me, our university is, above all, a labor of love. It’s a place where, over the course of a long career, you leave your own mark. The university has undergone a number of significant changes, in which I’ve been able to participate in various roles and to varying degrees. Meeting students whom you help get started, and colleagues with whom you share both demanding challenges and successes—all of this constantly stimulates you, keeps you from becoming complacent, and shapes your personality. For me, the university has thus become a symbol of time spent meaningfully, a time that has helped shape my life,” said Jana Stávková, who is one of the prominent figures long associated with the development of educational and academic activities at Mendel University, particularly at the Faculty of Business and Economics. She received the award for outstanding and/or long-term achievement in education and teaching.
Kryštof Král received an award for Outstanding Sporting Achievement; he is a member of the Czech national sabre fencing team. “I started fencing when I was eight years old—I just wanted to play a sport. I was incredibly lucky to have an amazing coach who knew how to motivate us brilliantly and, by the time I was fifteen, had guided me all the way to the Czech national team. The great group of people that formed there was also crucial for me. We supported each other, pushed each other to achieve better results, and it was all based on hard work together. Balancing elite sports with coaching junior national team athletes, my studies, serving as president of our faculty association at SU PEF, and my job is all about time management and priorities. Sometimes it’s very demanding in terms of time and energy, but I thoroughly enjoy all these activities, and they complement each other beautifully,” she explained.
“The main focus of my life is organizing a camp for blind children; in addition, I’m a member of the SONS organization, where I try to help as a volunteer. I also help out with the Asociace rodičů a přátel nevidomých as an assistant to children with visual impairments during family retreats, and for many years I have been volunteering with Běh pro Světlušku organized by Český rozhlas and the Bílá pastelka fundraising campaign. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to combine my leisure activities with my professional life, thanks to the Poradna Potraviny Mendelu, where we work with organizations to identify target groups and places where we can help,” said Andrea Roztočilová, laureate of the award for a Significant Contribution to the Development of Civil Society.
Laureates of MENDELU Rector´s Award
Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for long-term and/or outstanding achievements in creative activities in the field of natural and technical sciences
Thomas Jung, Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, FFWT: An internationally recognised expert in tree diseases and oomycete research, with particular emphasis on pathogens of the genus Phytophthora. He has worked at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology of Mendel University in Brno since 2016 and currently heads the Phytophthora Research Centre.His research has substantially advanced understanding of the involvement of Phytophthora pathogens in forest decline, their interactions with climate change, and their diversity, ecology, evolution, biogeography and global spread. He has contributed to the description of 117 new species and two new genera of oomycetes and has led or coordinated numerous scientific expeditions in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Dr Jung has published more than one hundred papers in impact-factor journals. His work has received several thousand citations and his h-index exceeds 40. Alongside his research, he has an extensive record of international project collaboration, postgraduate supervision and specialist training. His work makes a substantial contribution both to his field and to the international research reputation of Mendel University.
Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for outstanding achievements in creative activities by early-career researchers under the age of 35
Valentino Cristini, Department of Wood Science and Technology, FFWT: He works at the Department of Wood Science and Wood Technology of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology. His research combines arboriculture, tree biomechanics and wood material science, with a particular focus on wood degradation, mechanical and acoustic properties, and non-destructive methods of tree assessment. He is the author or co-author of a growing body of research published in international journals and has also contributed to professional standards and guidance for practical arboriculture. As principal investigator, he leads the WooDU research activity on wood degradation in the urban environment and has participated in projects supported by the Czech Science Foundation, ERC CZ and other research schemes. His professional development has also included international research experience in Slovenia and two-year research stay in Austria. By combining high-quality research with direct application to the care and management of trees, Dr Cristini represents a distinctive and promising voice in contemporary arboricultural and wood science research.
Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for Outstanding Achievement in Master’s Studies
Jan Veselský, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, FA: An exceptionally talented student specialising in molecular biology and biotechnology. He completed his bachelor’s degree with distinction, received a Dean’s commendation for his thesis and was admitted to Mendel University’s programme for talented students. During his studies, he contributed to the international Hungry EcoCities project and to research supported by the Jaroslav Koča Bridge Fund. He also undertook a placement at the Polish Academy of Sciences, where he worked on environmental applications of microalgal biotechnology. He is currently involved in the European Space Agency-supported Icarus Armor Next Gen project, contributing to the development of technologies for monitoring acute and cumulative stress during space missions. He also works with the Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences on methods for processing next-generation sequencing data in soil microbiome research. His achievements include the City of Ostrava Award, second place at MendelNet 2025 and a scholarship for a research stay at Mälardalen University in Sweden. His record demonstrates exceptional academic ability, scientific independence and considerable potential for a future research career.
Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for Outstanding Achievement in Doctoral Studies
Kateřina Patloková, Department of Vegetable Growing and Floriculture FH: A doctoral student in Horticulture at the Faculty of Horticulture of Mendel University in Brno. Her research focuses on innovative production systems, particularly aquaponics and hydroponics, plant nutrition, beneficial microorganisms and the recovery and reuse of nutrients and secondary raw materials. As principal investigator, she has led projects examining macronutrient dynamics in aquaponics and the effect of growth-promoting microorganisms on plants cultivated in aquaponic nutrient solutions. She also contributes to national and international projects concerned with precision cultivation, biostimulants and the production of crops with high nutritional value. Her research has been published in international scientific journals. She serves on the editorial boards of two academic journals, contributes to university teaching and regularly presents her findings at conferences. In both 2024 and 2025, she was awarded first place in the student competition at the Trends in Horticulture and Landscape Architecture conference. Her work successfully combines scientific innovation, sustainability and strong potential for practical application.
Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for outstanding and/or long-term achievement in education and teaching
Jana Stávková, Department of Marketing and Trade, FBE: One of the leading figures associated with the long-term development of education and academic life at Mendel University in Brno, particularly at the Faculty of Business and Economics. She has been professionally associated with the University since the 1970s and has spent several decades teaching students in statistics, economics and marketing research. She made a significant contribution to the development of degree programmes, doctoral education and the overall quality of the teaching process. Alongside her own teaching, Professor Stávková has supervised student research, supported younger academic colleagues and helped to build the faculty’s academic environment. Her service as Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics and later as a Vice-Rector also enabled her to influence the direction of education across the University. Her career has been closely associated with the modernisation of higher education, the strengthening of academic standards and the development of international cooperation. Through her teaching and academic leadership, she has had a lasting influence on several generations of students and staff.
Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for Outstanding Sporting Achievement
Kryštof Král, FBE: A student at the Faculty of Business and Economics and an accomplished sabre fencer representing the Czech Republic. He has practised fencing since the age of nine and has been a member of national representative squads since he was fifteen. In 2024, he finished second in the men’s individual event at the Czech Championships and won the team title. In 2025, he went one better, becoming Czech champion in both the individual and team competitions. He also competes internationally and in 2025 represented the Czech Republic at the senior European Championships for the first time. Alongside his own sporting career, he serves as a coach with the national under-20 team. Kryštof also plays an active part in university life. Through his combination of elite sport, coaching and student engagement, he represents Mendel University with distinction both at home and abroad.
Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for a Significant Contribution to the Development of Civil Society
Andrea Roztočilová, Department of Food Technology, FA: She has worked continuously for more than fifteen years with children, young people and adults with visual impairments. Her voluntary involvement began while she was still at secondary school and has gradually developed into considerable practical expertise. Since 2021, she has served as the lead organiser of summer programmes for blind and visually impaired children and young people in Veverská Bítýška, taking responsibility for the preparation and delivery of educational and leisure activities. In 2025, she completed specialist training and qualified as an instructor in spatial orientation and independent mobility. She has also successfully connected this long-term voluntary commitment with her professional work at Mendel University. Through the Potraviny MENDELU advisory service, she contributes to the preparation of educational materials on nutrition and food shopping adapted to the needs of people with visual impairments. She is also active with organisations including YMCA Brno and SONS Brno and supports initiatives such as Bílá pastelka and Běhy pro Světlušku. Her work is a practical expression of inclusion, civic engagement and the University’s social responsibility