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    Martin Horák and Pavel Rössner: Scientists from the IEM CAS celebrate the highest honour for scientific excellence – the Res. Prof. degree

    Award Published on 25. 09. 2025 Reading time Reading time: 3 minutes

    Yesterday, in a ceremonial atmosphere in the Library of the Czech Academy of Sciences hall, thirteen new holders received their diplomas for the scientific title of Research Professor (Res. Prof.), from the President of the CAS, Radomír Pánek. Among the honourees were two scientists from the IEM CAS – neuroscientist Martin Horák, Head of the Department of Neurochemistry, and Pavel Rössner, Head of the Department of Toxicology and Molecular Epidemiology.

    The Res. Prof. degree represents the highest scientific qualification achieved on the basis of exceptionally significant, original work that fundamentally advances knowledge in a given field and demonstrates a distinguished scientific personality. The prestige of this award is confirmed by the fact that it is sought after, not only by scientists from the CAS, but also by researchers from universities, non-university institutions and abroad. The title is awarded by the Czech Academy of Sciences on the basis of the decision by the Scientific Council of the CAS, which is supported by the results of a difficult selection process.

    We sincerely congratulate both of our excellent scientists and look forward to their new research projects and inspiring ideas.

    Medailonky

    Res. Prof. Martin Horák is a distinguished scientific authority in the field of neurochemistry. His research focuses on neurobiology and pharmacology in the field of NMDA receptor regulation and pharmacological modulation. The topics he focuses on mainly concern the study of regulatory mechanisms of the glutamate subtype NMDA receptor in mammalian neurons and the development of new pharmacological modulators with innovative effects. In his recent work, he has proposed new compounds with neuroprotective properties that have shown significant potential for clinical applications in neurodegenerative disorders and in the treatment of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.


    Res. Prof. Pavel Rössner is a renowned scientist in the field of environmental toxicology and molecular epidemiology. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of the effects of air pollution and nanoparticles on biological systems, including research on model organisms and human populations. He has made a significant contribution to elucidating the mechanisms of oxidative damage to biological macromolecules caused by respirable dust particles and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives bound to them. He has also contributed to the study of DNA repair pathways and changes in gene expression profiles due to environmental pollutants.


    Photo: Jana Plavec / CAO of the CAS