We express gratitude to the participants who decided to join the interview series and help others make decisions about participation. If you are willing to join this series, contact us via our contact form or through our social media accounts.
Ozana Mišura
“It’s incredibly rewarding, beneficial, and interesting to receive critiques, comments, suggestions, and opinions from fellow young scientists who are also in their PhDs and in different scientific disciplines. “
Please introduce yourself in two sentences.
I am a chemistry PhD candidate currently enrolling the final year of my doctoral studies. My research focuses on exploring material properties and examining their structure, specifically establishing connections between structural features and the potential manifestation of a property.
Which type of participation did you choose in the last symposium’s editions?
In the several last editions, I disseminated my research in a poster presentation, and a couple of times I had the opportunity to present oral talk. It’s been a rewarding experience to be engaged in different formats of participation as it contributed to enriching personal skills in presenting my results, both in writing and orally, in a clear and succinct manner.
Would you recommend PhD students joining the Symposium and why?
Absolutely, yes. It’s incredibly rewarding, beneficial, and interesting to receive critiques, comments, suggestions, and opinions from fellow young scientists who are also in their PhDs and in different scientific disciplines. It’s highly valuable as it requires one to synthesize and critically organize their work when presenting it briefly.
What was the feedback on your presentation?
Based on my own experience, the topic proved to be quite engaging for the majority of the audience, regardless of their scientific background or current research interests. Following the presentation, there were several insightful and interesting questions, making the subsequent discussion both appealing and beneficial.
Why did you join the Symposium (location, no registration fee or something else)?
I joined the Symposium because it provides a highly appreciative platform for presenting my own research. Covering a broad spectrum of areas and diverse branches, it offers a unique opportunity to delve into current issues and research across various scientific disciplines. Additionally, it serves as an excellent stepping stone for larger conferences.
Laura Posarić
“The Symposium is a great place to share your ideas, get feedback from people who are in the same problems as you and on the same level as you…”
Please introduce yourself in two sentences.
I’m Laura Posarić. I am a PhD student of geology at the Faculty of Science. My PhD represents a collaboration between the Arctic University of Tromsø and the Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography at the Faculty of Science. I research mining residues and their impact on the environment and potential reuse. The focus is currently on the residues from copper mining in the Arctic climate both on land and disposed underwater in the fjord. I’ve spent several summer and winter months in Tromsø, enjoying Aurora Borealis and endless snow.
Which type of participation did you choose in the last symposium’s editions?
Last year I participated with a poster presentation. That was my third year as a participant. In those three years, I participated both as a passive and active participant. In 2022, I held an oral presentation.
Would you recommend PhD students joining the Symposium and why?
I would! I think networking and discussing your research is an important part of the PhD journey. The Symposium is a great place to share your ideas, get feedback from people who are in the same problems as you and on the same level as you, but, of course, in different topics, and get new ideas for your research, partnership or help in challenges you faced.
I’m planning to apply this year as well. I still haven’t decided how I’m going to participate – with a poster or oral presentation.
The poster last year got really good feedback. I had interesting discussions with both professors and students.
The first time I joined in 2021 was because of both the location (at my workplace) and “the no-registration-fee situation”. But, every time after that was because of curiosity – I like to know what others do, get different ideas for my research, and learn something new in workshops and lectures.
Antonija Matek
“It’s a great opportunity to share what you’re doing in a friendly environment.”
Please introduce yourself in two sentences.
My name is Antonija Matek, and I am PhD student at Biology Department in Faculty of Science at University of Zagreb. My research primarily centers on Biological Oceanography, particularly on the dynamics of phytoplankton communities, delving into their diversity and ecology, with a specific emphasis on primary production.
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Gaurav Pransu
“I strongly encourage PhD students to attend the Symposium.”
Please introduce yourself in two sentences.
I am Gaurav Pransu, currently pursuing my PhD in the Department of Physics at the University of Zagreb. My research interest lies in the field of Condensed Matter physics.
Which type of participation did you choose in the last symposium’s editions?
I presented a poster at the last symposium.
Would you recommend PhD students joining the Symposium and why?
I strongly encourage PhD students to attend the Symposium for the following reasons:
1. Excellent presentations by both invited speakers and participants. The poster session was also very enjoyable.
2. Excellent opportunity to network with industry professionals as well as collaborate with other groups.
3. Great after-party as well.
I enjoyed the lectures from the invited speakers.
Yes, definitely!
I had a few questions from the judges and received some feedback regarding my experimental results, which was helpful.
I joined the Symposium because it was a great opportunity for me to meet people from other departments of the University of Zagreb and understand their research work.
“I am obsessed with discovering new places and learning about the Earth we live in.”
Please introduce yourself in two sentences.
My name is Tea Vasiljević, I am a PhD student of biology at PMF. I am doing the experimental part of my PhD at the Rudjer Boskovic Institute. I research cancer stem cells in head and neck cancers. The focus of the research is on Toll-like 3 receptors. In my free time, I travel a lot. I am obsessed with discovering new places and learning about the Earth we live in.
Which type of participation did you choose in the last symposium’s editions?
Last year, I decided to be a passive participant. I didn’t have much time to prepare a presentation, but I still wanted to be a part of the symposium. I was curious to hear presentations from other colleagues.
Are you going to apply this year?
This year, I decided to participate with a poster presentation. I am excited to share my work with other colleagues from different branches of STEM who also study at PMF as well as at other institutions.
Would you recommend PhD students joining the symposium, and why?
I would recommend this symposium to PhD students. I think that the overall idea is great and motivating for PhD students. This is the perfect opportunity to meet other PhD students and get familiar with the work of others. This year, I decided to participate with a poster presentation. I am excited to share my work with other colleagues from different branches of the natural sciences who also study at PMF as well as at other institutions.