ASEF Podcast

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 artis...

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-fo...

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 ada...

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 capita...

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 SPEKTRA...

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 st...

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, a...

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 Potočni...

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...

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 yo...

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 art...

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...

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...

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 v...

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 priz...

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 Chemistr...

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 i...

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 an...

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...

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 collab...

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...

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 indu...

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, th...

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...

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...