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 filmma...
Dec 22, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 34
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 pu...
Sep 22, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 33
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. H...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 32
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, prot...
Jul 11, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 31
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 dy...
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 30
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 An...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 29
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 Ljublja...
Feb 11, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 28
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,...
Jan 20, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 27
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 Hig...
Dec 20, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 26
In this episode, we host three guests related to healthcare in Slovenia: Dr. Alenka Kolar , Director of the General Directorate for Digitalisation in Healthcare, Slovenia Gašper 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 significantly Federico Potočnik, dr. med. , a physician specializing in infectious diseases and a graduate of the Stanford MSx Pro...
Dec 11, 2023•58 min•Season 3Ep. 25
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 ...
Nov 20, 2023•51 min•Season 3Ep. 24
In this episode, we host three guests related to the entrepreneurial landscape in Slovenia: Charlotte Taft , Education Coordinator at the US Embassy in Ljubljana Danijela Pavlica , Head of Educational Content at POPRI, from Primorska Technology Park Jakob Gajšek , director of LUI, Ljubljana University Incubator We 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 pra...
Nov 11, 2023•2 hr 35 min•Season 3Ep. 23
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...
Oct 20, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 22
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...
Jun 20, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 21
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 ...
May 20, 2023•55 min•Season 2Ep. 20
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 adapti...
Apr 20, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 19
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...
Mar 20, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 18
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 Man...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 17
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. W...
Jan 20, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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 collec...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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 fi...
Nov 20, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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...
Oct 20, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 13
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 ...
Sep 20, 2022•54 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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...
Jun 20, 2022•2 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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 ...
May 20, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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 a...
Apr 20, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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 Melbour...
Mar 20, 2022•43 min
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 f...
Feb 20, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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 preside...
Jan 21, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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. ...
Dec 20, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 5
