ASEF Podcast

V tej epizodi ASEF podcasta gostimo dr. Frenka Smrekarja, ustanovitelja in direktorja podjetja Jafral, ki se specializira za razvoj in proizvodnjo terapevtskih produktov na osnovi bakteriofagov. Dr. Smrekar deli svojo izkušnjo prehoda iz akademskega sveta v podjetništvo, izzive ustanovitve biotehnološkega start-upa v Sloveniji in pomen GMP proizvodnje. Razpravlja tudi o prihodnosti bakteriofagov kot alternative antibiotikom, vlogi umetne inteligence in CRISPR sistemov v biotehnologiji ter ponuja nasvete mladim raziskovalcem.0:00 – Uvod in predstavitev: Akademska pot ali industrija? Frenk Smrekar — pionir na področju proizvodnje bakterijofagov in ustanovitelj podjetja Jafral.1:10 – Bakteriofagi kot prihodnost zdravljenja: Osnove delovanja fagov, njihova vloga pri reševanju odpornosti na antibiotike in prednosti personaliziranega zdravljenja.4:01 – Akademska pot vs. Industrija: Izkušnja doktorata na področju GMP proizvodnje in ključni razlogi za prehod iz raziskovalnega okolja v podjetniški svet.6:22 – Razmišljanje znanstvenika vs. Direktorja: Razlike v prioritetah, upravljanje s tveganji in zakaj mora direktor biotehnološkega podjetja razumeti znanost.7:29 – Gradnja podjetja Jafral: Začetki v garaži, iskanje investitorjev v Sloveniji in izzivi vzpostavitve laboratorijev v času finančne krize.12:41 – Slovenija kot biotehnološko vozlišče: Zakaj kljub globalnim ambicijam ostati v Sloveniji ter prednosti lokalnega okolja za CDMO podjetja.17:38 – Moč industrializacije in GMP: Pomen standardizirane proizvodnje za prehod iz laboratorija v klinično uporabo ter premagovanje "doline smrti".20:00 – One Health in nove tehnologije: Uporaba fagov v agrikulturi in prehrani ter vpliv umetne inteligence in CRISPR sistemov na razvoj novih terapij.27:52 – Nasveti za mlade podjetnike: Pomen vztrajnosti, gradnje ekipe in zakaj vlagatelji pogosto stavijo na ljudi namesto na samo tehnologijo.29:39 – ZaključekPogovor je vodila Zara Bunc.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Kako merimo stres v ekosistemih, razvijamo varnejše nanomateriale in povezujemo zdravje okolja z zdravjem ljudi?S tem nas v tokratni epizodi ASEF podkasta seznani prof. dr. Damjana Drobne, redna profesorica toksikologije na Univerzi v Ljubljani ter raziskovalka z več kot 30 leti izkušenj na področju varnosti materialov in nanotehnologij. Kot ustanoviteljica Skupine za nanobiologijo in nanotoksikologijo, koordinatorica projekta HORIZON ACCORDs ter vodilna avtorica predloga za novi ISO standard na področju nanotehnologije, prof. Drobne prinaša zanimiv vpogled v presečišče okoljske trajnosti, varnosti materialov in znanstvene etike.S poslušanjem te epizode vstopate v kratko serijo z naslovom Trajnost – uglašeni tercet, kjer se bomo nekoliko podrobneje spoznali z vsakim izmed stebrov trajnosti, torej okoljskim, ekonomskim in družbenim. Gostiteljica kratke serije sem Polona Zabret. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Nikiša Plešec prihaja iz sveta teoretične fizike, študirala je na Fakulteti za matematiko in fiziko Univerze v Ljubljani. Kot ASEF štipendistka generacije 2025 je svojo raziskovalno pot obogatila z gostovanjem na University of Cincinnati pod mentorstvom prof. dr. Jureta Zupana, danes pa deluje kot mlada raziskovalka na Institutu Jožef Stefan.0:00 – Uvod v pot Nikiše Plešec v fiziki Pot od študija na FMF do doktorskega raziskovanja in vključitve v mednarodno mrežo ASEF.2:56 – Preplet znanosti in umetnosti Kako kreativnost in estetski vidik dopolnjujeta strogo logiko fizikalnih teorij.5:51 – Teoretična proti eksperimentalni fiziki Razlika med postavljanjem matematičnih modelov in njihovim preverjanjem v laboratorijih.8:56 – Razumevanje kvantne mehanike Osnove kvantnega sveta in kakšne so njegove realne implikacije za naše razumevanje narave.12:05 – Standardni model in njegove omejitve Pregled najuspešnejše teorije o delcih in vprašanj, na katera ta model še vedno ne zna odgovoriti.15:09 – Temna snov in temna energija Razlaga nevidnih komponent vesolja, ki predstavljajo večino njegove mase in energije.18:08 – Teorija relativnosti in Standardni model Kako se Einsteinova dognanja povezujejo (ali spopadajo) z mikroskopskim svetom delcev.20:47 – Pomen Higgsovega bozona Zakaj je odkritje "božjega delca" ključno za razumevanje mase v vesolju.34:15 – Generacijski vpogledi v akvaristiko Sprostitev izven laboratorija – o hobiju, ki zahteva preciznost in razumevanje ekosistemov.36:05 – Eksperimentalni podatki v teoriji Kako teoretični fiziki interpretirajo rezultate meritev za izboljšavo svojih modelov.38:57 – Pomen pospeševalnikov Vloga velikih naprav, kot je CERN, pri odkrivanju osnovnih gradnikov materije.40:08 – Računske metode v fiziki Uporaba programiranja in numeričnih simulacij za reševanje kompleksnih fizikalnih enačb.43:56 – Razumevanje "okusa" delcev Fizika okusov (flavor physics) in zakaj so razlike med generacijami delcev tako pomembne.46:31 – Eksperiment Belle II Raziskovanje preciznih meritev v japonskem pospeševalniku in iskanje nove fizike.49:45 – Intuicija v teoretični fiziki Kdaj se fizik zanese na matematični izračun in kdaj na svoj notranji občutek za naravne zakone.52:48 – Izkušnje v mednarodnih raziskavah Življenje in delo v ZDA (University of Cincinnati) ter prednosti mednarodne mobilnosti.57:48 – Prihodnost raziskovanja Trenutni projekti na IJS in v katero smer se premika sodobna fizika osnovnih delcev.1:03:30 – Nasveti za bodoče študente Kaj bi Nikiša svetovala vsem, ki razmišljajo o karieri v znanosti.1:04:33 – Zaključek in ključne misli Povzetek pogovora o pomenu znanstvene radovednosti in globalnega sodelovanja.Pogovor je vodil Gal Gantar.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

V tej epizodi ASEF podcasta gostimo prof. dr. Jerneja Uleta, vodilnega strokovnjaka na področju molekularne in nevroznanosti, direktorja centra UKDRI na King's College London in vodjo raziskovalnih skupin na Kemijskem inštitutu in inštitutu Francis Crick. Profesor Ule deli svojo akademsko pot, motivacijo za raziskovanje možganov in nevrodegenerativnih bolezni ter podrobno predstavi razvoj metode CLIP za preučevanje interakcij med proteini in RNA. Razpravlja o razlikah med akademsko kariero in industrijo, pomembnosti mentorstva in vodenja raziskovalnih skupin ter spregovori o novih terapevtskih pristopih za zdravljenje nevrodegenerativnih bolezni.0:00 – Uvod in predstavitev: Akademska pot ali industrija? Jernej Ule — pionir metod za preučevanje interakcij med proteini in RNA, med drugim metode CLIP.1:19 – Motivacija za raziskovanje možganov: Filozofski vplivi staršev, zgodnje zanimanje za zavest in delovanje možganov ter naključno srečanje z molekularno nevroznanostjo med študijem v Ljubljani.3:31 – Kompleksnost nevrodegenerativnih bolezni: Zakaj sodijo med najtežje bolezni za raziskovanje in zdravljenje ter kaj raziskovalca žene naprej tudi ob neuspehih.6:13 – Akademska pot vs. Industrija: Negotovost akademske kariere, finančne razlike in zakaj je kljub temu akademska pot za mnoge prava izbira.8:23 – Razvoj metode CLIP: Od doktorata na univerzi Rockefeller v New Yorku do razvoja prelomne metode za natančno mapiranje stikov med proteini in RNA.15:31 – Odkritje interstaze: Nov celični mehanizem, odkrit z metodo CLIP — kaj interstaza pomeni in zakaj je to odkritje pomembno za razumevanje celične biologije.19:25 – Terapije za nevrodegenerativne bolezni: Dolgoročni cilji na področju razvoja terapij za ALS in druge nevrodegenerativne bolezni, vključno s terapevtskimi pristopi na osnovi mehanizma interstaze.23:15 – Vodenje raziskovalnih skupin: Kako voditi tri razpršene ekipe hkrati — na King's College London, inštitutu Francis Crick in Kemijskem inštitutu v Ljubljani.31:34 – Umetnost raziskovanja: Umetnost in znanost — kako drugačen pogled pomaga pri raziskovanju ter razlike med različnimi akademskimi okolji.39:17 – Nasveti za mlade raziskovalce: Praktični nasveti za študente na začetku karierne poti pri odločitvi med akademijo in industrijo.42:37 – Zaključek Pogovor je vodila Zara Bunc.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Jakob Šušterič prihaja iz Sevnice,  študiral je na Fakulteti za elektrotehniko Univerze v Ljubljani. Ideja za MESI se je rodila v tretjem letniku, ko so se s sošolci udeležili tekmovanja v načrtovanju analognih vezij. 0:35 – Podcast o podjetništvu in zdravstvu  pot od FE UL in tekmovanja v analognih vezjih do so-ustanovitve podjetja leta 2010 v LUI.3:05 – Razvoj in inovacije v zdravstvu Živahen startup ekosistem v LUI in pomanjkanje podpore fakultete za komercializacijo študentskih idej.5:38 – Podpora fakultet in izobraževalnih sistemov Ideje ostajajo v akademiji — primanjkuje ameriški model, kjer bi fakultete postale soustanoviteljice spin-offov.9:14 – Podjetniški duh v mladosti Odraščanje v Posavju, tradicionalna industrija regije (Preis Sevnica, NEK) in izvor imena MESI (Medicinska Elektronika Slovenije).14:09 – Zgodnje odkrivanje bolezni Periferna arterijska bolezen kot silent killer. MESI skrajša merjenje gleženjskega indeksa iz 20 min na 1 min. Kampanja Healthy Arteries.20:12 – Tehnološke rešitve in uporabniška izkušnja Prenos znanj iz potrošniške elektronike v zdravstvo: brezžično povezovanje, oblak, OTA-posodobitve firmware-a — v nasprotju s tradicionalnimi napravami, ki jih posodabljajo z USB-jem.23:18 – Varnost in zaščita podatkov Zaprt OS, gostovanje na Azure, 2FA z RFID+PIN. Certifikat ISO 27001. Francija zaostruje zakonodajo nad GDPR.29:56 – Certifikacija medicinskih naprav Evropska MDR, vloga SIQ kot Notified Body, JAZMP in EMA. EC-certifikat odpre celoten EU-trg.35:49 – Proces razvoja medicinskih naprav ISO 13485, laboratorijski testi (IEC), audit. Software je prav tako lahko medical device — odločilen je intended use. 40:35 – Klinična testiranja in evalvacije Non-inferiority študije ali polne klinične študije. 47:28 – Ekipa in zaposleni v Mesiju 130–150 zaposlenih: inženirji, produktni vodje, medicinske sestre, compliance, prodaja in marketing.52:05 – Implementacija programske opreme v zdravstvu Ekosistem mTABLET / mRECORDS / mCONNECT. Težava kvantificiranja učinkovitosti v zdravstvu.59:28 – Priložnosti za start-upe v zdravstvu Podporno okolje (Startup Slovenija, TP Ljubljana, LUI). Ključen izziv: prehod od raziskovalnega projekta do komercializacije.Pogovor je vodil Luka Petravić. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Posebna epizoda ASEF podkasta - v živo iz KrižankZ zadnjo epizodo 4. sezone ASEF podkasta zaključujemo pol leta navdihujočih pogovorov o znanosti, raziskovanju in povezovanju Slovencev po svetu. Tokrat je epizoda nekaj posebnega – posneli smo jo v živo na dogodku Arena Tehnologij v Križankah v Ljubljani!Pogovor je vodil Martin Jurkovič, gostje pa so bili štirje ASEF štipendisti: Zala Perko, Jaka Godejša in Domen Škerlep iz programa Raziskovanje v tujini (Research Abroad), ter Milena Zupanc iz programa Obisk Slovenije (Visit Slovenia).V sproščenem pogovoru delijo svoje izkušnje iz raziskovalnih obiskov v ZDA, Avstraliji in Sloveniji, razložijo, kako poteka prijava na program, kako poteka sodelovanje z mentorji in kaj vse ASEF ponuja svojim štipendistom – od raziskovanja in mreženja do osebne rasti in trajnih prijateljstev.Epizoda prinaša vpogled v življenje mladih raziskovalcev, kulturne razlike, akademske izzive in nasvete za vse, ki razmišljajo o prijavi na ASEF štipendijske programe.📅 Prijave za program ASEF Raziskovanje v tujini 2026 so odprte do 2. novembra 2025!🔗 Več informacij o razpisu: https://asef.net/event/open-applications-for-the-asef-research-abroad-program-2026/ 🎥 Celotno epizodo si lahko ogledate tudi na YouTubu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a14j0yna47Y If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode of the ASF Podcast, neuroscientist and Princeton professor Michael Graziano joins host Tanja Janko to unpack his Attention Schema Theory. Graziano explains why consciousness can be understood as a self-model, how our brains construct simplified versions of ourselves and others, and why this illusion is both useful and inevitable. He contrasts his theory with Global Workspace Theory and critiques Integrated Information Theory, highlighting why a self-model is essential to any scientific account of consciousness. During the conversation, we also dive into the evolutionary roots of consciousness, the pitfalls of panpsychism, parallels with phantom limb phenomena, and what these ideas mean for humans, animals, and potentially machines.The discussion moves from the false belief task as a probe of the theory of mind, to reinterpreting the original Turing test. We also talk about what it would take to build conscious machines. We conclude the conversation with a look at the ethical dilemmas of mind uploading and why understanding consciousness may be the key to navigating the AI revolution —a transition as profound as the origin of life itself.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

What does it mean to have a self, and what if it’s an illusion?In this episode of the ASF Podcast, host Tanja Janko speaks with philosopher Jay Garfield, a professor specializing in Tibetan Buddhism, philosophy of mind, cognitive science, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language, ethics, and hermeneutics.Garfield explains the Buddhist critique of dualism, parallels with Western thinkers like David Hume, and how neuroscience increasingly supports the idea of a non-central, non-enduring self. Through thought experiments, metaphors like a river or a lamp flame, and insights into consciousness, Garfield challenges our assumptions about what it means to exist.Along the way, he addresses some of philosophy and science’s biggest questions:Why the self is an illusion, but not a hallucinationHow persons persist through time without a fixed essenceHow consciousness might be a conceptual mistake rather than a “thing”Why philosophy must engage beyond the Western canonIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

🎙️ V zadnji epizodi podkasta ASEF Vertikale zdravstvo se Luka Petravić pogovarja s Tejo Batagelj, v.d. direktorico Direktorata za digitalizacijo v zdravstvu na Ministrstvu za zdravje. Teja ima bogato karierno pot in več kot 20 let izkušenj na področju IT in digitalizacije. V pogovoru razpravljata o digitalizaciji slovenskega zdravstvenega sistema, izzivih in priložnostih, ki jih to prinaša, ter o različnih projektih, ki se izvajajo za izboljšanje učinkovitosti in dostopnosti zdravstvene oskrbe (Načrt za okrevanje in odpornost).Kaj vas čaka v epizodi? 😎1. Pot do trenutne pozicijeKako je gostja pristala v trenutni vlogi, kjer je združila znanja iz predhodnih delovnih mest na področju zagotavljanja naprednih digitalnih rešitev in optimizacije procesov.2. Ključni projekti digitalizacije (NOO)NOO je pomemben mehanizem za razvojni preboj našega zdravstva. Govoriva o projektih NOO, ki jih trenutno izvajajo v slovenskemu zdravstvu.3. Prednosti centraliziranih rešitevRazprava o prednostih centraliziranih rešitev v zdravstvu in kako lahko to olajša delo zdravstvenim delavcem ter poveča učinkovitost sistema.4. Izzivi pri implementacijiTeja pojasnjuje izzive, s katerimi se soočajo pri uvajanju novih sistemov in projektov, zlasti na področju zagotavljanja ustreznega kadra in usposabljanja uporabnikov.5. Pomen zakonodajnih sprememb (ZDigZ)Pogovor o ZDigZ, zakaj je pomemben in čemu služi.6. Strateški podatki in dostop do informacijKako zbiranje in analiza podatkov lahko pripomoreta k boljšemu odločanju in razvoju strategij v zdravstvu ter o tem, kako bodo te informacije dostopne javnosti.Povezave 🔗1. Zvem aplikacija2. COVID-19 Sledilnik3. Centralna baza zdravil 4. Mediately5. SPOT 6. eUPRAVA 7. Epic naročanje 📌 Prisluhnite epizodi in odkrijte, kako digitalizacija zdravstvenega sistema lahko izboljša dostopnost in kvaliteto oskrbe ter kakšne priložnosti se odpirajo za prihodnost slovenskega zdravstva!If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Do animals dream? And if they do, what does it reveal about their minds, and our moral responsibilities toward them?In this episode of the ASF Podcast, host Tanja Janko speaks with philosopher and author David Peña-Guzmán, whose book When Animals Dream explores the emotional, cognitive, and ethical dimensions of animal dreaming.In this conversation, we unpack why dreaming is not just a human phenomenon, how animals’ dreams challenge our definitions of consciousness, and why dreams might be a powerful argument for animal rights.Topics include:The SAM model of consciousness: Subjective, Affective, MetacognitiveWittgenstein’s lion and the limits of human-centered thinkingLucid dreams in animals (and why that might change everything)Why dreaming is a sufficient condition for consciousnessThe deep ethical implications for how we treat non-human animalsTime stamps:00:00 Intro01:20 How David Became Interested in Animal Dreaming06:10 Challenges of Studying Dreams (Especially in Animals)Why dream research is difficult even in humansMethodological limits 13:30 Zebra Finches Dreaming of SongsRats dream of mazes, but zebra finches rehearse their songs during REM sleepChallenged the view that dreaming is exclusive to mammalsThese birds move their throats as if silently singing while activating auditory + motor brain regions, suggests conscious rehearsal, not just unconscious memory consolidation22:02 Dreams Require an EgoAll dreams are subjectively anchored, there is always a “dream ego”Even if your dream body morphs (tentacles, flying, shrinking), you still have a perspectiveThis implies animals who dream likely have a subjective point of view, or a self28:50 The SAM Model of ConsciousnessSubjective: Ego/self-awarenessAffective: Emotional experiencesMetacognitive: Thinking about one’s own thoughts39:50 Is thought fundamentally linguistic?Dreaming joins language, emotion, tool-use as once “unique” human traits46:25 Wittgenstein’s Lion & “Philosophical Monsters”The idea of a non-conscious dreamer is a contradictionDreaming is a lived, subjective experience = proof of consciousnessDreaming = sufficient (but not necessary) condition for consciousness52:00 Dreams and Moral StatusConsciousness is the foundation of moral concern, therefore animals who dream are conscious → they matter morally1:09:00 Outro - Book recommendationsIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Dobrodošli v novi epizodi serije »Meet the Fellows« ASEF podkasta. Voditelj Martin Jurkovič gosti Lano Nastjo Anžur in Adriana Mladenića Grobelnika, ki sta poletje preživela na Univerzi Stanford.Lana je doktorska študentka Varstva okolja in raziskovalka kulturne dediščine (UL), Adrian pa mlajši raziskovalec UI na Inštitutu Jožef Stefan in študent računalništva in matematike na UL. Lana se je ukvarjala s trajnostnim upravljanjem kulturne dediščine (od Balkana do Mauritiusa) pri dr. Čaval, Adrian pa z NLP, commonsense AI in grafovskim strojnih učenjem pri prof. Juretu Leskovcu.V epizodi izveste:kako sta našla ASEF, se prijavila in uredila vizo ter nastanitev,kako poteka raziskovalno delo na Stanfordu in kakšna je bila vloga mentorjev (prof. Leskovec, dr. Čaval),razlike med raziskovanjem v ZDA in Sloveniji,kulturne šoke v Kaliforniji (samovozeči taxi-ji, plačilo z dlanjo),kako deluje ASEF tutorstvo in kako je nastal skupni znanstveni članek,nasvete za bodoče ASEF štipendiste v ZDA.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

V tej epizodi ASEF Podcasta se podajamo v svet podjetniških inkubatorjev in podpornega okolja za startupe. V gosteh sta bili Nives Justin, vodja podjetniškega inkubatorja Kovačnica v Kranju, in Sonja Majcen, ki vodi Inkubator Savinjske regije v Celju. Obe že vrsto let pomagata mladim podjetnikom pri prvih korakih, iskanju financiranja, razvoju idej in mreženju z gospodarstvom.Prisluhnite razpravi o:Kaj sploh je podjetniški inkubator in kako se razlikuje od drugih podpornih institucij?Katere programe, mentorstva in infrastrukturo ponujajo podjetnikom?Kako so financirani inkubatorji in s kom vse v lokalnem okolju sodelujejo?Kakšno je trenutno stanje podjetništva v Sloveniji – od kulture podjetništva do izzivov, ki jih imajo mladi podjetniki?Kako slovenski inkubatorji gledajo čez meje: programi Erasmus za mlade podjetnike, Interreg in obisk ameriških podjetniških hubov?Katere veščine najbolj manjkajo slovenskim startupom in kako lahko bolj učinkovito gradimo skupnost?To epizodo vertikale podjetništva & tehnologije je gostil Frenk Dragar.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

🎙️ V epizodi se profesor Janez Žibert pogovarja o svoji poti od matematike do zdravstva. Razpravlja o pomembnosti zdravstvenih podatkov, umetni inteligenci in statistike ter analizira izzive in priložnosti v slovenskem zdravstvu. Pogovor vodi Luka Petravić.Kaj vas čaka v epizodi? 😎1. Janezova poklicna potJanez deli svojo pot od matematike do zdravstva. Diplomiral je iz matematike, skozi umetno inteligenco in prepoznavanje govora pa je prišel do uporabe svojih znanj v medicini, kjer se je povezal z zdravniki in drugimi strokovnjaki.2. Razlika med Matematiko in Uporabno MatematikoV pogovoru razjasnita, kako se teorija matematike loči od njene aplikativne narave. Uporabna matematika je usmerjena v reševanje konkretnih problemov, kar je ključnega pomena v zdravstvu.3. Zdravstveni Podatki in COVID-19Janez se spominja obdobja COVID-19 in projekta COVID-19 Sledilnika, kjer je uporabil svoje znanje za razvoj napovednih modelov. Poudarja pomen povezovanja podatkov in hitrih reakcij na krizne situacije.4. Napovedni ModeliJanez pojasnjuje, kako ti modeli pomagajo napovedovati zaplete po operacijah srca, ter predstavi logistično regresijo in njeno povezanost z napovednimi modeli.5. Pomembnost Statistike v MediciniStatistika in njena uporaba v medicini sta ključni za razumevanje učinkovitosti zdravil in posegov. Janez poudarja, da je statistika orodje, ki pomaga zdravnikom pri sprejemanju informiranih odločitev.6. Uporabnost AI v RadiologijiKako lahko umetna inteligenca izboljša postopke v radiologiji. Poudarimo pa, da mora AI delovati kot pomočnik, ne pa kot nadomestek za zdravstvene delavce. Zdravniki morajo razumeti rezultate AI modelov, da se izognejo morebitnim napakam.7. Izzivi in PriložnostiEna največjih ovir za širšo uporabo zdravstvenih podatkov in AI v Sloveniji je dostop do kakovostnih podatkov, motivacija uporabnikov in usposobljenost kadra. Povezave 🔗- Učbenik o statistiki- Covid-19 Sledilnik- MONAI- EU Forecast Hub📌 Prisluhnite epizodi in odkrijte, kako lahko zdravstveni podatki in umetna inteligenca revolucionirata zdravstveno oskrbo! Hvala, da ste z nami.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, Karl Friston unpacks the Free Energy Principle (https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn2787), a unifying theory explaining how the brain minimizes surprise by constantly predicting and updating its model of the world. We explore how this principle sheds light on perception, consciousness, and even psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. Karl also shares how his journey took him from psychiatry to neuroscience, driven by a passion for applying math and physics to deepen understanding of the brain.The host of the science vertical on the ASEF Podcast: Tanja JankoTimestamps: 00:00  Introduction 02:05  Understanding Free Energy in Neuroscience 08:10  Sensory Input, Surprise, and Prediction 13:23  Novelty and Active Inference 19:51  Markov Blanket Explained 25:44  Perception as Controlled Hallucination 28:25  Consciousness and Generalized Synchrony 33:12  Generative Model and Schizophrenia 36:39  Assembly Theory and the Free Energy Principle 44:15  Schizophrenia and Perception 48:10  Consciousness and AI Challenges 56:04  Karl Friston’s Personal Journey 59:14  Conscious AI and the Free Energy Principle 1:02:02  Future Directions in ResearchIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

🎙️ V novi epizodi podcasta gostimo Tadeja Maligoja, arhitekta uporabniških izkušenj, s katerim se pogovarjamo o oblikovanju informacijskih sistemov v zdravstvu. Pogovor je vodil Luka Petravić.Kaj vas čaka v epizodi?😎1. Pomen širokega znanjaTadej izpostavi, kako je širiko znanje ključno za uspešno oblikovanje uporabniških izkušenj. Razumevanje različnih disciplin odpira vrata k inovativnim rešitvam in boljšemu prilagajanju poslovnih procesov.2. UX izzivi v zdravstvuDotaknemo se posebnosti oblikovanja za zdravstveno okolje, kjer optimizacija informacijskih sistemov trči ob utečene prakse dela v realnem svetu. Spoznajte, zakaj je razumevanje delovnega konteksta uporabnikov ključno za uspešen UX.3. Delo v podjetju BetterTadej pripoveduje o svojem delu v podjetju Better, kjer razvijajo informacijske sisteme za zdravstvo. Poudarja pomen multidisciplinarnega sodelovanja strokovnjakov za dosego uporabniku prijaznih rešitev.4. Učinkovitost in sodelovanjeDelimo izkušnje z učinkovito komunikacijo v projektnih ekipah in zakaj je zgodnje raziskovanje tako pomembno za kakovostno oblikovanje končnega izdelka.5. Design SystemPogovarjamo se o tem, kako investicija v design sistem pripomore k doslednosti oblikovanja in hitrejši implementaciji dobrih uporabniških vmesnikov.6. Red Dot Design AwardTadej deli izkušnjo ob ugledni nagradi Red Dot za podjetje Better – za kateri projekt so jo prejeli in kaj je bilo pri tem inovativno.7. Zaključne misliEpizodo zaključimo z razmislekom o prihodnosti digitalizacije v zdravstvu.📌 Prisluhnite epizodi in odkrijte, kako se prepletata dizajn in zdravstvo!Hvala, da ste z nami.PovezaveYan Holtz - vizualizacija podatkov If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we delve into the intriguing concept of panpsychism with Philip Goff, the philosophical idea that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous aspect of reality. We explore its historical roots, examine contemporary debates, and consider its implications for our understanding of the mind and the universe. The host of the science vertical on the ASEF Podcast: Tanja JankoTimestamps: 01:36 - Why did you decide to pursue consciousness research?03:45 - Defining Consciousness and Panpsychism06:20 - The Dilemma of Consciousness in Science10:20 - Quantum Mechanics and Consciousness paper I mentioned: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07936For more context: Roger Penrose's Idea: Penrose proposed the idea that the human brain uses quantum effects in microtubules as the origin of consciousness. His hypothesis suggests that consciousness requires an uncomputable element, which he believes is the collapse of the wave function in quantum mechanics. He reasoned that since other brain processes are considered computable, the collapse of the wave function is the only place such a non-computable element could reside.Study Findings: The paper mentioned from a group unrelated to Penrose or Hameroff provides, what they consider, clear evidence that microtubules do display real quantum effects.24:50 Thought Experiments: Mary the Color Scientist and the Philosophical Zombie36:25 The Galileo Error41:45 Exploring Consciousness: The Mind-Body Problem47:40 Cosmic Purpose: Consciousness Points to Purpose?If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

V tokratni epizodi ASEF Podcasta se podajamo v svet umetne inteligence, skupaj z enim vodilnih slovenskih strokovnjakov na tem področju, Markom Grobelnikom. Ponaša se z več kot štiridesetletnimi izkušnjami kot raziskovalec na Inštitutu Jožef Stefan, je soustanovitelj IRCAI in svetovalec številnim mednarodnim organizacijam kot so OECD, Evropska Komisija, Svet Evrope in NATO.Prisluhnite razpravi o:Geopolitiki umetne inteligence: Kje so vodilne sile – ZDA, Evropa in Kitajska – in kakšne so njihove strategije razvoja in financiranja?Kakšne so potrebe in izzivi pri regulaciji umetne inteligence, z osredotočanjem na Evropski Akt o umetni inteligenci in njegove implikacije?Kakšno vlogo igra Slovenija v globalnem ekosistemu umetne inteligence in s katerimi izzivi se sooča?Kaj prinaša prihodnost umetne inteligence? Kateri so ključni izzivi, priložnosti in kako bo AI preoblikovala trg dela?If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Welcome to the very first episode of Meet the Fellows, a new vertical of the ASEF Podcast. This series dives into the stories of ASEF Fellows—students who have experienced the ASEF Fellowship firsthand—and explores what the program means to them, both professionally and personally.In this episode, we sit down with Sophia Jarc and Maja Košir, two 2024 ASEF Fellows from Cleveland, Ohio, who spent their summer in Slovenia participating in the Visit Slovenia program. The conversation covers a wide range of topics—from their Slovenian heritage and the culture shock of living in Europe, to the meaningful work they did during their internships and the friendships they formed along the way.You’ll also hear helpful tips for future applicants, insights into the application and selection process, and reflections on what it’s like navigating life between the U.S. and Slovenia.Whether you’re thinking of applying to ASEF, are already a fellow, or just curious about cross-cultural experiences and academic exchange, this episode is for you.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode of the ASEF Podcast, we explore the journey of Bird Buddy/Wonder, a Slovenian startup that has successfully blended AI, computer vision, and hardware to create a smart bird feeder loved by over half a million people worldwide. Joining us is Tom Vodopivec, COO at Bird Buddy/Wonder, who brings deep expertise in AI, startups, and venture capital.We dive into:The Bird Buddy journey, from Kickstarter to $100M in revenueHow they approach market validation and product developmenThe challenges of scaling a tech company across Slovenia and the USAMarket differences, talent education, and international expansionWhat’s next for Bird Buddy/Wonder and the future of tech-for-nature startupsThis episode of the Business & Technology vertical was hosted by Frenk Dragar.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

We explored Jernej Barbič’s journey from mathematics to computer science, highlighting key moments in his academic career. We discussed the simulation of deformable objects, their application, and their challenges. The discussion touched on the metaverse’s potential to transform human interaction, advancements in medical technology through digital replicas, and ethical considerations around AI. Jernej also talked about the development of Vega FEM and Ziva Dynamics, which revolutionized filmmaking by enhancing digital creature realism.Jernej Barbič is a Full Professor of computer science at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, United States.  He is also a startup entrepreneur, having co-founded and led a successful technology startup company “Ziva Dynamics”. He is also a Sloan Fellow. In 2011, MIT Technology Review named him of the Top 35 Innovators under the age of 35. His research interests include computer graphics, computational mechanics, applied mathematics, interactive physics, medical imaging, biomechanics, neural networks, digital humans, film visual effects, haptics, virtual reality and the metaverse, intellectual property law, and more. This conversation was conducted by ASEF Junior Fellow: Tanja Janko Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to Jernej Barbič, his background, and the start of his career00:20:30 - Physics-based simulation / Simulation of deformable objects00:27:55 - Physics-based simulation / Applications00:28:10 - Virtual reality00:29:55 - Metaverse00:38:15 - Eternal You - keeping people alive through their digital avatars00:38:45 - Ethics and morality using AI00:40:35 - Biggest achievements / Proudest moments in academic career00:44:19 - Vega FEM library00:48:00 - Ziva Dynamics (origin of the name, applications)00:51:50 - How Ziva influenced character creation in the entertainment industry and future outlook00:55:48 - Favorite part of entrepreneurship01:00:18 - Working on The Hobbit @ Weta Digital (as a visiting professor)01:04:38 - Podcast recommendationsIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this special live episode of the ASEF Podcast, recorded at Dragon Days in Celje, we hosted Michael Stucky - a partner at Serpentine Ventures, visiting from Zurich, Switzerland, and Jure Vindišar - Head of Technology Transfer at the National Institute of Biology in Slovenia.We delved into the concept of technology transfer, which is all about creating real-world impact from cutting-edge research. This encompasses things like university spin-outs and licensing intellectual property for the purpose of bringing scientific innovations to the market. Tune in to hear inspiring stories of deep-tech entrepreneurship from Slovenia and Switzerland, the importance of innovation clusters, insights from Mario Draghi’s recent report on the EU's competitiveness, and a broader perspective on what it takes to build a thriving technology transfer ecosystem.The conversation was conducted by ASEF Junior Fellow Frenk Dragar.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction and welcome of guests Michael Stucky and Jure Vindišar00:01:12 - Definition of technology transfer00:02:03 - Jure’s experience in tech transfer at the National Institute of Biology and initiatives in Slovenia00:06:11 - Michael’s experiences with university spin-outs and tech transfer00:09:46 - Comparison of Slovenian and Swiss tech transfer ecosystems00:25:19 - Learning from US tech transfer practices, Slovenian delegation on knowledge transfer to the USA00:32:00 - Discussion on the Draghi report and its implications for Europe’s innovation strategy00:37:10 - Cultural, financial, educational, legislative aspects of KTT00:50:00 - Encouragement for aspiring science-preneursIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Aljaž Bezjak, an accomplished Slovenian digital artist currently working as a digital nomad while based in London. Aljaž studied photography at the Faculty for Applied Sciences in Ljubljana, graduating in 2018 with a project on the digital colorization of black and white photography, inspired by Stojan Kerbler.Before moving to England in 2016, Aljaž worked as a VFX artist and video editor at Studio Ritem in Ljubljana, and as a professional photographer and filmmaker. He later joined Recom Farmhouse, a prominent CGI and creative retouching studio, where he became Creative Project Lead, Senior Creative Retoucher, and CGI artist.In 2023, Aljaž founded his own creative company and now works on various projects while traveling. Join us as we explore his artistic journey and insights into his digital nomad lifestyle.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we dive into computational biology, discussing protein structure prediction and the challenges of mapping the sequence-function relationships of proteins. We also touch on cryptic sites in proteins. Our guest, Peter Cimermančič, talks about his startup TesorAI, and we end with a discussion on reverse aging and our control over our biological destiny.  Peter Cimermančič is a co-founder of TesorAI, and has extensive experience in computational and structural biology, genomics, proteomics, target discovery and modulationThis conversation was conducted by ASEF Junior Fellow: Tanja JankoTimestamps:0:50 What initially drew you to the field you are currently in, and what continues to motivate you in your research?2:41 Early career and how would you compare your experience studying in Slovenia vs. abroad? 5:53 How and why did you decide to transition to the industry?8:39 What prompted you to start your own business instead of staying in academia / staying in the industry(big tech)?11:14 Protein structure prediction is arguably one of the most successful applications of deep learning in computational biology - can you tell us why is knowing 3D structure of proteins important?16:05 Why is mapping the sequence-function of a given protein a challenge?18:37 What kind of data sets (labeled / unlabeled) are used in modeling and what are some advantages/disadvantages of both?20:56 Talking about Peter’s publication (Cimermancic P, et al., CryptoSite: Expanding the Druggable Proteome by Characterization and Prediction of Cryptic Binding Sites. J Mol Biol. 2016 Feb 22;  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2016.01.029 ) What defines a cryptic site in proteins, and how does it differ from traditional binding pockets?23:10 What methods are employed to identify cryptic sites, both experimentally and computationally?25:54 What impact did the prediction of cryptic sites have on the "druggable" human proteome?26:42 What is TesorAI, what is the goal of the products and what are the plans for the future?33:46 About TesorAI products35:36 where do you get data to train models36:32 Data in academic computational biology37:22 What are the emerging trends and future directions in computational biology that are bound to make a significant impact on healthcare in the coming years? 40:21 Challenges in the field41:35 How do you see the Slovenian startup space fitting in this field?42:58 As our understanding of the human genome and proteome grows, what are the ethical considerations surrounding genetic engineering, gene editing, and personalized medicine? How do we balance the potential benefits of such technologies with concerns about privacy, equity, and unintended consequences? 46:00 Reverse aging and biological destiny49:20/50:50 Book recommendationsIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we discuss computer vision, distinguishing it from computer graphics, and delve into the challenges of 3D computer vision. We also examine the current state of autonomous driving research and discuss deepfakes.We host two experts in the field:Žan Gojčič a senior research scientist at Nvidia, with a research focus is on 3D deep learning, weakly supervised learning, and domain adaptation.Aljoša Osep a senior research scientist at Nvidia, working on learning to understand the dynamic world from raw and unlabeled streams of sensory data.This conversation was conducted by ASEF Junior Fellow: Tanja JankoTimestamps:1:30: What initially drew you to the field you are currently in, and what continues to motivate you in your research? 6:35: Studying abroad14:38: Why did you decide to go into industry instead of staying in academia?20:02: What is computer vision (and the difference between computer vision and computer graphics) and what are some common applications of computer vision in today's world?24:10: 3D computer vision and What needs to be “synthesized” to create a realistic scene?27:09: Challenges in the filed20:31: Current state of research in autonomous driving and challenges 42:50: Deepfakes49:34: Emerging trends, open problems56:18: Book recommendations and closing wordsIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we dive into another part of the technology transfer and entrepreneurship ecosystem - venture capital (VC) and business angels. We discuss the different VC funds in Slovenia, how startups should approach funding, opportunities and challenges in the local area, as well as success stories in the region, and perspectives abroad. We host three experts from the Slovenian venture capital scene:Nina Dremelj, Managing Partner at Vesna deep-tech Fund, President of Slovenian Business Angels, and Board Member of the European Business Angels NetworkGregor Rebolj, serial entrepreneur and investor, co-founder of Klika, Sportradar, and 1Home, as well as founding partner of Silicon GardensRok Habinc, partner at Pan-Adria Partners, previously partner at STH Ventures Fund, and active business angel and Board member at Business Angels of Slovenia.Timestamps:Venture Capital 101: What is VC and how does it support startups? (1:30)VC landscape in Slovenia: Insights into Slovenian funds and their focus areas. (06:03)Differences between VC funds: What should startups look for? (18:05)Accelerators and Incubators: Early entrepreneurial education and wider ecosystem (27:33)Scaling and foreign capital: How does a local startup scale and seek funding abroad (37:25)Challenges in Slovenia: policy, legislation, and culture (47:40)Opportunities and success stories: what the region is good at and achievements (1:03:30)Global perspectives: Practical examples and best practices to learn from. (1:12:10)Advice for young founders: Insights on fundraising, mentorship, and determining investment readiness. (1:18:52)If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode we talk about University Spin-Outs. How is it different from a “classic” start-up? What is the process of founding a univesity spin-out in Slovenia?We look at the journey of two such companies: prof. Tomaž Skrbinšek presents DIVJALabs, where they work on molecular genetics and bioinformatics for biodiversity conservation and research, while Blaž Zoubek, PhD, tells us about SPEKTRAL - the structural engineering and consulting company, both spin-outs from the University of Ljubljana.The host of ASEF Podcast’s Business & Technology vertical is Frenk Dragar, a Master's Student of Artificial Intelligence at Utrecht University. He was an ASEF Fellow 2023 with Dr. Gašper Beguš at UC Berkeley.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Dr. Jure Knez, Founder of Dewesoft, a world-leading hi-tech company for test and measurement solutions, and vice-president of the Slovenian Business Club.  We talked with Dr. Knez to gain insights about the company's origins, the role of artificial intelligence in test and measurement tools, his views on entrepreneurship, his role and vision regarding the Katapult startup environment, and the main challenges entrepreneurs and companies face in Slovenia. In addition, we get to know Slovenia's main competitive advantages and how the Slovenian business environment can be improved.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Katarina Van Der Linden, an accomplished Slovenian musician currently residing and working in Australia. Katarina pursued her music education at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Before immigrating to Australia in 2015, she taught in various primary, high, and music schools in Slovenia. Her music education started in Dravograd and continued in Žalec, Velenje, and Ljubljana. She studied saxophone, piano, and music pedagogy. While teaching at Rudolf Maister High School in Kamnik, she co-wrote a curriculum for harmonica, which she has been playing for many years. She also writes poetry in Slovenian and English, and her works were published in various Celjsko and Saleško literarno društvo publications. One of her latest poems TU-JI-NA was made into a choir piece. The music was written by a young Slovenian composer, Uršula Jašovec, and was premiered at Slovenska Filharmonija in October 2023.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host three guests related to healthcare in Slovenia:Dr. Alenka Kolar, Director of the General Directorate for Digitalisation in Healthcare, SloveniaGašper Čehovin, Managing Director and Partner of Parsek, a company developing a multi-purpose platform for supporting integrated care aiming to reduce administrative burden in the healthcare sector significantlyFederico Potočnik, dr. med., a physician specializing in infectious diseases and a graduate of the Stanford MSx ProgramIn this episode, we explore the state of healthcare deliverance in Slovenia and discuss how public versus private healthcare models may pave the way for future healthcare deliverance.  In absorbing three valuable perspectives in the transformation process, we gain insight into the numerous factors impacting healthcare transformation into the digital age. Join us in this conversation! The ASEF Podcast host is David Turk, an ASEF Fellow 2020 from the Visiting Slovenia program. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In Episode 24, we talk with Dr. Janez Potočnik, Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel, Partner at SYSTEMIQ, and advisor to thought-leading institutions such as the European Forest Institute. Listen as we discuss about climate change.Dr. Janez Potočnik's academic journey began with honors from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana. He pursued further studies at the same university, completing his master's degree in 1989 and obtaining a Ph.D. in 1993. In July 1994, he assumed the role of Director at the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development of the Republic of Slovenia. Subsequently, in April 1998, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia appointed him as the Head of the Negotiating Team for the Accession of Slovenia to the European Union. His extensive involvement in European affairs continued as he served as Minister Councillor at the Office of the Prime Minister in June 2001 and later became the Minister without portfolio responsible for European Affairs on January 24, 2002. Dr. Potočnik joined the European Commission on May 1, 2004, and from 2004 to 2010, he held the responsibility for Science and Research. In 2010, he assumed a second mandate as a Member of the European Commission responsible for Environment, concluding on November 1, 2014. Post-2014, Dr. Potočnik's commitment to environmental causes persisted as he was appointed a member and Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme. Simultaneously, he took on roles such as Chairman of The Forum for the Future of Agriculture and a Member of the European Policy Centre's Advisory Council. Since April 2016, he has been a Partner at SYSTEMIQ. Additionally, from 2020 onwards, he holds the position of President of ThinkForest. In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Potočnik has received multiple honorary Doctor of Science degrees from institutions such as London Imperial College, Ghent University, and Finland Aalto University. Notable accolades include the United Nations' 2013 Champions of the Earth Award for promoting resource efficiency and reducing food waste in the European Union, the ACER Award for visionary contributions to the European Research Council, the Twelve Stars for the Environment Award for his science-based approach to environmental sustainability, and the Hans-Carl-Von-Carlowitz-Award 2015 for his courageous and international work in advocating for the circular economy in Europe.This conversation was conducted by ASEF Junior Fellow: Tanja JankoIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host three guests related to the entrepreneurial landscape in Slovenia:Charlotte Taft, Education Coordinator at the US Embassy in LjubljanaDanijela Pavlica, Head of Educational Content at POPRI, from Primorska Technology ParkJakob Gajšek, director of LUI, Ljubljana University IncubatorWe talk about youth entrepreneurship in Slovenia and the world. What is the state of youth entrepreneurship in Slovenia? What is being done in Slovenia and the region? We discuss best practices worldwide and their vision for developing and improving youth entrepreneurship in Slovenia.  We discuss creativity, the entrepreneur mindset, and traits: passion, ambition, experimentation, risk, learning, market fit, and many others.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Mr. Boštjan Gorjup, ex-president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia and Managing Director at BSH Adriatic East, the largest manufacturer of small home appliances in Europe, one of the largest companies in Slovenia and also one of the most important companies in BSH. We talked with Mr. Gorjup to gain insights about the company's growth, the role of artificial intelligence in smart manufacturing, and recent challenges related to the floods in Slovenia. In addition, we get to know Slovenia's main competitive advantages and how the Slovenian business environment can be improved.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Teja Tegelj, an accomplished Slovenian artist. Teja Tegelj earned her bachelor's degree at the Faculty of Education, Program Art Pedagogy at the University of Ljubljana. She later pursued a Master of Science in Art Pedagogy. During her studies, she took part in a student exchange in Germany. She also researched aboriginal art in Australia, which greatly influenced her art expression development. She was awarded the Grand Prix of the International Visual Art Award Ex-Tempore Ptuj and the Golden Osten Award at the Osten Biennial of Drawing Skopje. Since 2015, she has been a Slovenian Association of Fine Arts Societies member.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In Episode 20, we talk with Dr. Tamara Trošt, Associate Professor at the School of Economics and Business at the University of Ljubljana, and Dr. Manja Klemenčič, Associate Senior Lecturer on Sociology offering higher education courses at the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University and in General Education at Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Listen as they discuss the field of sociology.Dr. Tamara Trošt is an ASEF Tutor and Associate Professor at the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business. She received a Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University and an M.A. in Political Science from Syracuse University. She has published about stereotypes, identity, populism, history education, collective memory, sports, and nationalism and specializes in qualitative research methods.Dr. Manja Klemenčič is an Associate Senior Lecturer on Sociology offering higher education courses at the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, and General Education at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Klemenčič is a local affiliate at the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies at Harvard University. Klemenčič is an external associate researcher at the Centre for Educational Policy Studies, Faculty of Education at the University of Ljubljana and collaborates with the research group at CMEPIUS, Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Mobility and European Educational and Training Programmes, in particular as a member of the global academic network APIKS - Academic Profession in Knowledge Societies. She researches, teaches, advises, and acts as a consultant in the area of sociology and politics of higher education, European and international comparative higher education.The ASEF Podcast host is Tanja Janko, a Master's Student of Chemistry at the University of Zurich. She was an ASEF Fellow 2019 with Dr. Dimitri Krainc at Northwestern University.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Mr. Tone Stanovnik, Founder and CEO of Špica International, a regional leader in Time Management and Access Control focusing on Workforce Management, Supply Chain Management, Sales Force Automation, and Asset Management. We talk with Mr. Stanovnik about the start of his entrepreneurial career and its development. He shares his insights into his company's growth, his views about efficiency and how it can be enhanced, and the many challenges they faced, such as adapting to changes such as migrating from on-premise to cloud models and licensing business models to subscriptions. In addition, we get to know his vision for the field of time management solutions, how he compares the business environment in Slovenia to other countries, the main competitive advantages of Slovenia, and how the Slovenian business environment can be improved.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Polona Kunaver Ličen (Lona Verlich), a Slovenian painter, illustrator, graphic designer, exhibition creator, and musician. Polona Kunaver Ličen earned her bachelor's and master's degree at the Academy of Fine Arts, Ljubljana. During her master's degree, she spent a year in Helsinki, Finland, studying illustration and graphics. In 2006, she won the first prize in Austria for her illustrated book "The Secret of Old Man Bertold" at the author's book competition. She is a member of the Society of Fine Artists of Northern Primorska. Since September 2003, she and her husband have been running the art and design center Lična hiša in Ajdovščina, Slovenia.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In Episode 17, we talk with Dr. Vita Godec, Managing Director at Lenis farmacevtika d.o.o. and ASEF professor Dr. David Sarlah, Associate Professor at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Listen as they discuss the field of chemistry.Dr. Vita Godec is an ASEF Mentor who received her BSc in Biochemistry and her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Later she received her MBA from IEDC-Bled School of Management. Currently, she is a Managing Director at Lenis farmacevtika d.o.o., a Slovenian pharma wholesaler specializing in imports of niche and unlicensed medicines, where she focuses on digitalization in business process management.Dr. David Sarlah is an ASEF Professor who received his BSc in Chemistry from the University of Ljubljana in 2006 and his Ph.D. from the Scripps Research Institute in 2011. Following a postdoctoral stay at ETH Zürich, he joined the faculty at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2014, where he holds the position of Associate Professor at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology.The ASEF Podcast host is Tanja Janko, a Master's Student of Chemistry at the University of Zurich. She was an ASEF Fellow 2019 with Dr. Dimitri Krainc at Northwestern University.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Mr. Marko Bitenc, Founder and CEO of GenePlanet, one of the most prominent and innovative personal genetics companies, and Co-Founder of Universal Diagnostics, which is developing primary prevention methods for cancer through the use of blood tests. We talk with Mr. Bitenc about the start of his entrepreneurial career and its incredible development. He shares with us his insights into the growth of his companies, the products they offer, and the motivation behind them. We get to know his vision for the field of personal genetics and its increasingly tighter cooperation with clinical medicine in the future, as well as his thoughts on the potential for similar future life science companies in Slovenia.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Slovenian academic painter Matej Metlikovič. Matej Metlikovič earned his bachelor's degree in 1978 at the Academy of Fine Arts, Ljubljana, under professors Štefan Planinc and Milan Butina, and completed his master’s degree under Kiar Meško and Janez Bernik in 1981. Since he completed his studies, Matej has continually worked, exhibited, and participated in national and international exhibitions, art workshops, and symposiums. His artworks are kept in numerous collections around Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Canada. He has been a freelance artist since 1992.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Why is it important to research mathematics? Do we discover maths, or do we invent it? What is the research purpose in the fields of topology and graphs? In which fields of mathematics does Slovenia have strong research groups? How does the research environment in Slovenia differ from other countries?In Episode 14, we talk with ASEF professors Bojan Mohar, Sara Kališnik, and Andrej Bauer. Listen as they discuss the field of mathematics.Bojan Mohar is a world-recognized mathematician in the field of graph theory. He is a Canada Research Chair in Graph Theory at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada, and a Full Professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana. He obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Ljubljana, was a post-doctoral fellow at Simon Fraser University, and was a Fullbright Visiting Scholar at the Ohio State University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the American Mathematical Society, and the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics. He received the John L. Synge Award and the prestigious Euler Medal. The Republic of Slovenia awarded him the Ambassador of Science Award.Sara Kališnik is a Senior Scientist in the Department of Mathematics at ETH Zurich. Her research focuses on using methods from pure mathematics to study data. She is the co-director of the Applied Algebraic Topology Research Network, which hosts a popular weekly Online Seminar. She obtained her Ph.D. at Stanford University and performed post-doctoral research at Brown University and the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences. In the academic year 2020/2021, she was an Assistant Professor at Bentley University. Her research focuses on applied algebraic topology.Andrej Bauer is a professor at the University of Ljubljana. He obtained his Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University and received the School of Computer Science Distinguished Dissertation Award for his Ph.D. thesis. He was the main coordinator for the 47th International Mathematical Olympiad held in Slovenia. In 2022 he received the American Mathematical Society Levi L. Conant Prize for the article “Five stages of accepting constructive mathematics.”The ASEF Podcast host is Tanja Janko, a Master's Student of Chemistry at the University of Zurich. She was an ASEF Fellow in 2019 with Dr. Dimitri Krainc at Northwestern University.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Ms. Ajša Vodnik, Msc., CEO of AmCham Slovenia and Vice President of AmChams in Europe. In this episode, we talk about her early career, her current role as CEO of AmCham Slovenia and Vice President of AmChams in Europe, lessons learned, and her vision for  Slovenia. Among other things, we asked her how business ties can be strengthened between USA and Slovenia, what collaborations should be established between Slovenia and other countries across Europe, and in which areas Slovenia has the most business potential.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Slovenian painter, lithographer, and graphic artist Leon Zakrajšek. Leon Zakrajšek graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in 1986. He specialized at the Centre Internacional de Recerca Gràfica, near Barcelona, and later as a Japanese government scholarship holder at Tama Art University in Tokyo. Between 1997 and 1998, he studied at the private printmaking studios of Hanga Kobo-Seya-Ku under Harumi Sonoyama and with master woodcutters Fumiu Kitaoka, Yukio Rei, and Seiko Kawachi. Zakrajšek has been a member of the Society of Slovenian Visual Artists (DSLU) since 1987, a member of the Kamakura Print Collection since 1998, and a selector and member of scientific committees in Cremona, Italy (since 2000) in Haifa, Israel, and Sofia, Bulgaria. He is also an honorary member of the Tokyo Print Association Han 17 in Tokyo, Japan, and an honorary member of the Petrovaradinska Tvrdjava Art Circle in Novi Sad. In addition to the above, the artist also organizes exhibitions at home and abroad.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Is the Metaverse a potential stepping stone for robotics and human-machine interaction? Does gamification enhance rehabilitation outcomes? Will we be able to build a comprehensive human-person digital twin for health purposes? How will Digital Twins and robotics change the manufacturing industry? What are the opportunities for Slovenia in this field? What is needed to build an ecosystem among industry and universities similar to the existing ones in the US? Can Slovenia become a test environment for self-driving cars?In Episode 11, we talk with ASEF professors Miloš Žefran, Vesna Novak, and Mitja Trkov. Listen as they discuss robotics and human-machine interaction.Miloš Žefran is an Electrical and Computer Engineering professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he also received an M.S. in Electrical Engineering. He received an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995 and 1996, respectively. From 1997 to 1999, he was a National Science Foundation (NSF) Postdoctoral Scholar at the California Institute of Technology. He was on the faculty at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and held a visiting position at the University of Pisa, Italy. Dr. Žefran received an NSF Career Award in 2001 and has been continuously supported by the NSF since then. His main research areas involve Human-Robot Interaction, assistive robots, cyber-physical systems, autonomous vehicles, runtime monitoring, and switched systems.Vesna Novak is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Cincinnati. She received her diploma and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Ljubljana in 2008 and 2011, respectively. She was a postdoctoral fellow in the Sensory-Motor Systems Lab at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, from 2012 to 2014, and then an Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Wyoming from 2014 to 2021. Her research interests include rehabilitation robotics, wearable robotics, virtual reality, serious games, affective computing, and human activity recognition.Mitja Trkov is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering at Rowan University.  He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, in 2016. He received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 2007. Before his graduate studies, he worked as an R&D engineer in the naval industry. Before joining Rowan University, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT. His main research areas involve wearable and assistive devices, human-machine interactions, soft robotics, mechatronics, rehabilitation, and biomedical engineering, ergonomics, and biomechanics.The ASEF Podcast host is Tanja Janko, a Master's Student of Chemistry at the University of Zurich. She was an ASEF Fellow in 2019 with Dr. Dimitri Krainc at Northwestern University.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Ms. Nana Šumrada Slavnič, Ph.D., Vice President of Legal Affairs at Outfit7 - the only Slovenian unicorn so far. Šumrada Slavnič, Ph.D., holds an LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. She has also worked at the European Court of Justice and PricewaterhouseCoopers. In this episode, we talk about leadership and expertise, the importance of values and kindness, taxation in Slovenia, and its impact on investments, talents, and startups.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Slovenian painter and designer Žiga Okorn. Žiga Okorn graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts Ljubljana with an exhibition in the Tivoli Park’s old Boat House in 1991 with prof. Gustav Gnamuš and prof. Tomaž Brejc. He co-authored the renovation of the former military prison, now known as the Celica Youth Hostel, where he also designed and painted one of the cells. For its renovation, together with the Sestava group, he received the City of Ljubljana Distinction and was awarded the Golden pencil award by the Chamber of Architects of Slovenia. Since 1994 he has worked as a freelance artist, regularly exhibiting paintings, watercolors, drawings, and sculptures in Slovenia and abroad. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

Which one existed first: DNA or RNA? mRNA vaccines: how do they work? Can such vaccines be used to fight cancer? RNA research in USA and Australia. How can research be improved in Slovenia?In Episode 8, we talk with ASEF professors Jernej Murn and Boštjan Kobe. Listen as they discuss RNA research.Boštjan Kobe is a Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Queensland. Prior to joining the University of Queensland, he was a postdoctoral researcher at St. Vincent’s Institute in Melbourne, Australia, where he also started his laboratory at the end of 1997. Prof. Kobe completed his Ph.D. degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, USA. He has been awarded the Minister’s Prize for Achievement in Life Sciences (2001), an ARC Federation Fellowship (2005), the ASBMB (Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) Roche Medal (2009), the ASBMB Beckman Coulter Discovery Award (2018) and became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2018. He was the President of the Society of Crystallographers in Australia and New Zealand (2012-2014). He is the Editor of Acta Crystallographica Section D Structural Biology and PLoS One. His laboratory focuses on applying structural biology approaches to understanding infection and immunity.Jernej Murn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of California, Riverside. Before joining UC Riverside as faculty in 2017, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital. He trained with Yang Shi in epigenetics and RNA biology. Prof. Murn completed his Ph.D. in molecular biology that he shared between the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the CEA Laboratory for Functional Genomics in France.The ASEF Podcast host is Tanja Janko, a Master's Student of Chemistry at the University of Zurich. She was an ASEF Fellow in 2019 with Dr. Dimitri Krainc at Northwestern University.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Andraž Tori, co-founder of Zemanta, which Outbrain acquired in 2017, and where he is now Head of Recommendations and Data Science. He is also co-founder of Silicon Gardens Fund, a private venture capital fund. In this episode, we talk about Outbrains' IPO and its relevance for Slovenia, get to know more about online advertising and the opportunities behind Web 3.0, whether Slovenia can develop an ecosystem of advertising-related companies, and what we should learn from mature startup ecosystems, such as Silicon Valley (USA) or Silicon Wadi (Israel).If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host Slovenian artist and researcher Dr. Polona Tratnik, who holds a bachelor’s degree in painting, a master’s degree in sculpture, and her Ph.D. is in philosophy and theory of visual culture. Polona Tratnik is Dean of New University, Faculty for Slovene and International Studies, where she is a full professor for philosophy and art; she is a research councilor at Institute IRRIS for Research, Development, and Strategies of Society, Culture and Environment. She is the president of the Slovenian Society of Aesthetics and vice-secretary general of the International Association of Aesthetics. Her bibliography comprises more than 270 entries, of which she published 34 peer-reviewed articles, 40 book chapters, and 8 monographs with one translation to Serbian, as a single author. Her research fields comprise aesthetics, philosophy of art and science, media theory, and interdisciplinary studies of fairy tales. She is a pioneer bio artist. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

How do cancer policies differ across the EU and Slovenia? Prevention and early detection. What are the major differences regarding infrastructure for clinical research and trials between US and Slovenia? How will changes in diagnostics and therapeutics likely change policies across countries? How do concerns over privacy affect medical research, and how do approaches on this matter differ between US and EU?In Episode 5, we talk with ASEF professors Tit Albreht, Robert Jeraj, and Mateja Jamnik. Listen as they discuss research and policymaking in the field of healthcare, with an emphasis on cancer research and prevention.Tit Albreht, is an Associate Professor of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, and a member of the Scientific Committee of the European Public Health Association. Since 2006, he has been actively involved in the development of cancer policies at the European level – during the Slovenian Presidency of the European Council and later as coordinator of Joint Actions on cancer policy at the European Union level, including the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer (EPAAC), Cancer Control (CanCon) and most recently, the Innovative Partnership for Action Against Cancer (iPAAC).Robert Jeraj, is a Professor of Medical Physics, Human Oncology, Radiology, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he leads the Imaging and Radiation Sciences Program at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. He is also a professor at the University of Ljubljana, where he leads a team related to medical physics, and oncology.Mateja Jamnik, is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Computer Science and Technology (Computer Laboratory) at the University of Cambridge, UK. She is an associate fellow at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence and recently served as Specialist Adviser to the House of Lords Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence. She is also a SMUL (World Network of the University of Ljubljana) council member. Among other topics, her research focuses on applying AI technology to medical data to advance personalized cancer medicine.The ASEF Podcast host is Tanja Janko, a Master's Student of Chemistry at the University of Zurich. She was an ASEF Fellow in 2019 with Dr. Dimitri Krainc at Northwestern University.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!

In this episode, we host dr. Mark Pleško, Founder and CEO of Cosylab, to get to know his career path and company. Mark Pleško is a Slovenian scientist and entrepreneur. He founded Cosylab, the world's leading provider of control systems for particle accelerators, fusion reactors, and cancer therapy systems. He has been a member of the management boards of multiple organizations, companies, and faculties. He is also president of the Slovenian Academy of Engineering.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!