Zdenek Andrysík at another scientific breakfast: Insights from his journey to a prestigious U.S. laboratory and reflections on the differences in mentality between Czech and American scientists
At our second scientific breakfast, we had the pleasure of meeting Zdeněk Andrysík, the new head of the research group "Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer" at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine MU. He shared his personal experiences and valuable insights on navigating and thriving in the world of research.
His journey overseas began with a desire to expand his horizons and continue his research in a postdoctoral position abroad. His persistence and networking efforts were instrumental in finding the ideal position. He advised young researchers aspiring to work abroad to directly contact their preferred labs and actively participate in conferences to build their professional networks. Dr. Andrysík emphasized the importance of choosing the right mentor and lab. He suggested evaluating potential mentors based on their support for lab members' career development and success. He believes that having some autonomy in research projects and focusing on building one's own career, including securing fellowships and grants, are critical for future success as a postdoc.
In the next part of the interview, Zdeněk Andrysík compared the research infrastructure of laboratories at MU and in the United States. He acknowledged that the research infrastructure in the United States is highly advanced, but emphasized the importance of assessing each laboratory individually in terms of available resources and support systems.
The conversation also addressed the cultural differences between the United States and Europe, particularly regarding work culture and mindset. While the American motto "The sky is the limit" might sound clichéd, Dr. Andrysík highlighted the importance of maintaining healthy self-confidence and not being overly grounded. "It's your life," he pointed out. He advised young scientists to stay organized and goal-oriented in their research, adapt to the organizational systems of their labs, and actively seek help when needed.
Finally, he shared his plans to expand his research group to include undergraduate students in the future. He aims to provide his team with what he lacked as a student: more funding for research and the opportunity to conduct high-quality, expensive experiments to address scientific questions.
After earning his Master's degree in Animal Physiology from the Faculty of Science at MU and completing his PhD under the supervision of Prof. Alois Kozubík, Zdeněk Andrysík pursued postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Colorado at Boulder. He collaborated with Prof. Peter J. Stambrook and Prof. Joaquin M. Espinosa. Recently, he returned to Masaryk University and, with the support of the MU Internal Grant Agency, established a junior research group at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, MU.
In recent months, the Faculty of Medicine has been working on a gender audit to analyse the Faculty's approach to individual processes in terms of ensuring equality of opportunity and planning support activities in this area. The audit also serves as a basis for the development of the Masaryk University Gender Equality Plan 2025-2028.
At the breakfast event hosted by Tomáš Kašpárek on Monday, October 7, the special guests were Jaroslav Štěrba and Regina Demlová, two key figures from the CREATIC Centre of Excellence at the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University.
