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Seminar on Qualitative Theory of Differential Equations - Fleur Slegers (23.4.2026)

Pavol.Quittner@fmph.uniba.sk — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:22:00 +0200

Fleur Slegers:
Comparing Dynamic Maximum Entropy Methods for Multiscale Population Dynamics
Abstract:
Dimension-reduction methods are valuable tools for analyzing complex stochastic systems, as they capture essential macroscopic dynamics without requiring full resolution of microscopic degrees of freedom.
This talk summarizes progress made during the two-month research visit at FMFI UK, focused on comparison of two such approaches: Dynamic Maximum Entropy (DME) and Dynamic MaxEnt across Entwined Scales (DyMES). Both methods approximate the system state by a maximum-entropy probability distribution constrained by a small set of macroscopic observables and derive evolution equations for these observables.
They differ, however, in the choice of observables and in the formulation of the reduced dynamics. DyMES was introduced specifically for scale-entwined systems, in which microscale dynamics depend on macroscale quantities, but its validity has not yet been systematically assessed. We test both methods on the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process and on a stochastic multi-species population model with migration.
Our results show that DME remains applicable in scale-entwined settings, whereas assumptions underlying DyMES can lead to incorrect predictions. This is joint work with Katarína Boďová.

MŠVVaM – Štipendijná ponuka BAYHOST

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0200

BAYHOST organizuje v termíne 20. – 24. júla 2026 letnú školu „Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Human Rights“, ktorá sa uskutoční na pôde Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). Na letnú školu sa môžu prihlásiť študenti bakalárskeho stupňa štúdia, pričom pre zahraničných študentov sú stále k dispozícii štipendiá.

Termín na podanie prihlášok bol predĺžený do 28. apríla 2026.

Online prihlasovací formulár je dostupný tu: Application form

Viac informácií o letnej škole nájdete na webovej stránke:

https://www.fau.eu/studying/international-students/summer-and-winter-schools/interdisciplinary-perspectives-on-human-rights/

Announcement of the Election of the Candidate for the Position of Rector of Comenius University Bratislava

pr@uniba.sk — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:07:00 +0200

The deadline for submitting nominations for candidates for Rector of Comenius University Bratislava is from 1 April 2026 to 12:00 noon on 30 June 2026. The right to submit nominations for candidates for CU Rector lies with members of the academic community of Comenius University Bratislava and members of the Board of Trustees of Comenius University Bratislava. The nomination must be submitted in written form and must include the requirements set out in Article 5(3) of the Principles for the Election of the Candidate for Rector of Comenius University Bratislava. A recommended nomination template is attached to this announcement. Nominations are to be addressed to the Chair of the Election Committee for the Election of the Candidate for Rector of Comenius University Bratislava and submitted via the Registry Office of the Rectorate of Comenius University Bratislava in a sealed envelope marked “Election of the Candidate for Rector of CU”. ThLic. Gašpar Fronc (Chair of the Election Committee for the Election of the Candidate for Rector of CU)
Comenius University Bratislava
Academic Senate of CU
Šafárikovo námestie 6, P. O. Box 440
814 99 Bratislava 1 The public hearing of candidates for the position of Rector will take place at a meeting of the electoral assembly on 26 October 2026 at 14:00 in the Auditorium of Comenius University Bratislava, Šafárikovo námestie 6, Bratislava. The election of the candidate for Rector will take place at a meeting of the electoral assembly on 4 November 2026 at 14:00 in the Auditorium of Comenius University Bratislava, Šafárikovo námestie 6, Bratislava. Details of the announcement and the election procedure, as well as templates of nomination forms: Announcement of the Election of the Candidate for the Position of Rector of Comenius University Bratislava for the Term of Office from 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2031 (.PDF) Nomination for a Candidate for the Position of Rector of Comenius University Bratislava (.PDF) Bratislava, 25 March 2026 Prof. PhDr. Zlatica Plašienková, PhD.
Chair of the Academic Senate of CU

Condensed Matter Seminar - Martin Gmitra (23.4.2026)

Frantisek.Herman@fmph.uniba.sk — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:49:00 +0200

Martin Gmitra (Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice; Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice):
Engineering Graphene Spintronics via Proximity Effects in van der Waals (vdW) Heterostructures
Abstract:
Van der Waals heterostructures provide a modular platform for next-generation spin nanoelectronics. In this seminar, we discuss the engineering of graphene’s electronic properties through proximity-induced SOC and exchange interactions. We present detailed investigations into graphene/1T-TaS2 and graphene/In2Se3 systems, highlighting how correlated electron states and ferroelectric coupling enable control over spin texture chirality and self-induced spin-orbit torques.

Doctoral colloquium - Pizarroso Troncoso Carlos Andres (20.4.2026)

Damas.Gruska@fmph.uniba.sk — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:51:00 +0200

Pizarroso Troncoso Carlos Andres:
How Much Do Billboards Distract Drivers? A Computer Vision Approach
Abstract:
Roadside billboards are a common element of outdoor advertising, but they may also distract drivers and increase accident risk. Understanding how much attention these billboards attract is important for both traffic safety and urban planning. In this work, we propose a fully automated system that detects billboards in street images and estimates how long a driver is likely to look at them, without requiring manual annotations or specialized eye-tracking equipment. The approach combines modern computer vision techniques for object detection with machine learning models that analyze visual features and spatial information within the scene. Our method achieves high accuracy in identifying billboards and provides reliable estimates of driver gaze duration from individual images. We validate the approach on public datasets and additional real-world imagery. More broadly, this work reflects our interest in using AI models to extract and interpret meaningful signals from visual data, which connects to our research in medical image analysis and explainable AI. More information Youtube channel

Cameroonian scientist Adamou Velhima: “Genomics is the future – without it, we will not defeat tuberculosis.”

pr@uniba.sk — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:13:00 +0200

What led you to a scientific career? As a young man, I was fascinated by books about Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch—stories of discoveries that fundamentally changed medicine. I first became a physician, but later decided to pursue a scientific career instead. Why did you choose microbiology, biotechnology, and especially research into bacterial pathogens? At university, where I studied biomedical sciences, I had to decide whether to choose biochemistry or bacteriology and virology at the master’s level. Since biochemistry is largely based on mathematics, which I am not particularly strong in, I chose the latter. Alongside this, I also studied molecular biology. Although this field is highly developed worldwide, in Cameroon it still does not reach the required level, and much remains unexplored. That is why I decided to focus on tuberculosis in connection with molecular biology. How did you learn about the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University, and why did you choose it? Like many PhD students, I aimed to conduct part of my research outside Cameroon. One reason is the insufficient laboratory equipment at home. Since I had been working on tuberculosis research for a long time, I knew that the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine at Comenius University deals with this topic in detail. I contacted the Institute of Pharmacology, and I was fortunate—we had been communicating since 2023. After completing all formalities, I received a scholarship through the SAIA agency and was able to travel to Martin. What were your first impressions of the faculty? My first impressions were excellent. This is my very first stay in Europe. Your laboratories are enormous—compared to those in Cameroon, they are not even comparable. Your biomedical centre feels to me like one of the largest in the world. Your PhD research focuses on molecular typing of Mycobacterium bovis and drug resistance in tuberculosis. Why is this topic important? I chose tuberculosis because it remains one of the most dangerous diseases. Even in 2025, it is the deadliest infectious disease in the world. In Cameroon, we have far more cases and deaths than in Europe. In addition, bovine tuberculosis is a major problem, as it can be transmitted to humans—this is a so-called zoonotic infection. Most studies conducted in our country so far have been epidemiological—they only counted patients or infected cattle, but did not examine transmission mechanisms. I am interested in the molecular level, which is why I brought samples here to precisely analyse how the disease spreads between humans and animals. What exactly will you work on during your stay at the Institute of Pharmacology? We will be working on whole-genome sequencing—one of the most advanced techniques in tuberculosis research. It allows us to obtain complete DNA information from the bacterial samples I brought from Cameroon. I call it my small biobank. In addition, my colleagues are teaching me other methods used worldwide so that I can apply them at home if we manage to obtain the necessary equipment. How do you see the future of genomics and biotechnology in addressing infectious diseases? Genomics, in my view, is the future. A disease such as tuberculosis cannot be eradicated without whole-genome sequencing and the data it provides. We need to understand exactly how transmission occurs, what bacterial resistance looks like, and which treatment should be chosen. However, its use is much broader—genomics will also be important in many other areas of biology and medicine. You have worked in hospitals and laboratories across Cameroon. What is the biggest difference compared to Slovakia? The biggest difference is in laboratory equipment. Diagnostic tools based on molecular biology, which are available here, are not available in Cameroon. What can international collaboration bring to young researchers? For me, the greatest benefit is the collaboration I have established here. Together with Matúš Dohál, we plan future joint projects to help eradicate tuberculosis in Cameroon. I have learned many molecular techniques here that very few people in my country know. I would like to pass this knowledge on to young scientific talents at home. What are your impressions of Martin and Slovakia? People are very respectful, which I appreciate. However, I have difficulties with communication, as many people do not speak English. I thought at least a basic level of English would be common, but in shops or pharmacies people often do not understand me. I currently live in a dormitory in Vrútky with Slovaks only, and I feel very comfortable there. Paradoxically, when I spent two weeks in Žilina in a dormitory full of foreigners, it was not as good. I actually prefer living with Slovaks. What has surprised or interested you the most so far? The first thing was the weather. I came from Cameroon, where temperatures are around 35°C and even 45°C. Here I arrived in very cold weather, and the first days were very difficult for me. Another issue, as I mentioned, was communication— the further I went from Bratislava, the harder it was to communicate in English. I even once travelled further by train than intended because no one understood me. Finding accommodation was also difficult—several times, when I said over the phone that I was from Cameroon and needed accommodation for only three months, the call was simply ended. And honestly, I was shocked that I do not see any Africans here. I have not met a single one in Martin. I was looking for a Cameroonian community, but it seems there is none here. What do you miss most in Slovakia? Definitely food. And also friends to play football with. Is there anything you would like to experience during your stay in Slovakia? I would definitely like to experience real winter—snow and skiing. We are planning a trip to the High Tatras, so I hope that will come true. Zuzana Marčeková

We kicked off 10 weeks of intensive work on ideas from Comenius University

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:27:00 +0200

We launched the first edition of the Validate program on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, with a joint kickoff meeting at the UK Science Park. During the next 10 weeks, we will work with the teams to help them move their ideas from a concept to real-world action. A total of 7 teams from different backgrounds and faculties of Comenius University were selected for the programme. We introduced ourselves, shared expectations, and aligned on how we will work together throughout the programme. The first topic of Validate was the Lean Canvas model, a practical tool, that helps bring structure to an idea and identify the key parts of a project. We focused on what matters most from the start: the customer problem. Teams began defining more clearly what problem their customer is facing, who their solution is for, and what the “pain” is that they want to relieve. We are excited by the energy and diversity of the teams that joined the programme. Validate now continues with further practical steps so that ideas can gradually become validated projects with a clear direction. We will meet weekly through a mix of in-person and online sessions with various experts. Our focus is on gathering feedback and building a strong community. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for all teams and will continue sharing updates on their progress.

WORLD UNIVERSITY SPORT IS COMING TO BRATISLAVA, AND CU WILL BE PART OF IT

pr@uniba.sk — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:33:00 +0200

Held under the auspices of the Inter Universities Sport Federation (IUSF), the World Inter Universities Championship is one of the most prestigious platforms for thousands of student athletes from more than 30 countries. For Bratislava and Central Europe, this is a historic moment: never before has the region hosted an event of this scale. “Sport is an integral part of our lives. It fosters determination, perseverance, patience and humility. In team sports, it also develops solidarity, teamwork and empathy. In a university setting, sport reinforces the character of the university as a community. I am delighted by the results achieved by our athletes and proud of the successes we continue to deliver. At the same time, we are helping to build healthy lifestyle habits, which our whole society needs,” stressed CU Rector Marek Števček. The event is not only about competition; it also has a strong integrative dimension. Viktor Bielik, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (FSPORT CU), emphasised that the initiative “gets people talking and builds bridges across borders”. This was echoed by Robert Zsembera, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, who said that the energy of thousands of students would turn Bratislava in November into a vibrant and colourful city, creating one large international sporting family. Tibor Balga of FSPORT CU, who has led successful university teams abroad for many years, also welcomed the news: “I am pleased that, after previous editions, our students will have the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd. I believe they will proudly represent not only our university, but also the city and the country.” The City of Bratislava is making intensive preparations for the arrival of the athletes. According to Deputy Mayor Lenka Antalová Plavuchová, participants can expect a warm welcome in a city known for its hospitality. Ján Krišanda, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, added that the expected attendance of more than 5,000 people underscores the importance of this well-established event format, which helps build lasting international ties. CU is not approaching the organisation as a newcomer, but as a multiple champion of the competition. Competing against hundreds of universities from around the world, its athletes have already claimed the overall title three times, making CU one of the most successful participants in WIUC history.

Nuclear Seminar - Ondrej Šauša, Helena Švajdlenková (22.4.2026)

Jaroslav.Stanicek@fmph.uniba.sk — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:33:00 +0200

RNDr. Ondrej Šauša, CSc. (Institute of Physics SAS, KJCH PriF UK):
Fundamentals of Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) Abstract:
The first part will present basic facts about positron annihilation in a material environment, about the formation of a bound state of an electron and a positron (positronium) in insulators and the use of positronium in the study of the free volume of porous materials. Experimental devices for measuring the lifetimes of positrons and positronium will be discussed, from simple coincidence scintillation systems to complicated devices such as slow positron beams and positron microscopes. Possible outputs from typical annihilation experiments will be shown, which provide unique information about the microstructure of the studied substances. and Ing. Helena Švajdlenková, PhD. (Polymer Institute SAS, KJCH PriF UK):
The use of PALS in polymer chemistry Abstract:
In the second part, there will be a presentation of specific outputs from annihilation experiments in the field of polymer chemistry. Examples will include the study of the microstructure of dimethacrylates used in dental medicine, as well as the preparation of epoxides using frontal polymerization.

47th Student Scientific Conference

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:48:00 +0200

We cordially invite you to the 47th Student Scientific Conference, which will take place on...