President appointed eight new professors from BUT

Seven representatives of Brno University of Technology were named during the ceremonial awarding of appointment decrees to new professors on June 16 at the Carolinum in Prague. They received confirmation of achieving the highest academic title from President: Radim Burget, Tomáš Kazda, Roman Šotner (all from FEEC BUT), Pavel Foltin (IFE BUT), Jiří Jaroš (FIT BUT), Zdeněk Hadaš and Josef Sedlák (both FME BUT), and Barbora Klímová (FFA BUT). BUT was represented at the ceremony by Rector Ladislav Janíček.

Ceremonial appointment of new professors. | Author: MŠMT

President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel emphasized the key role of education, science, research, and innovation for the further development of the country and society during the appointment of 87 new professors. He was followed by Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Mikuláš Bek. “The appointment of new professors is an important moment for the entire academic community and society. It is a recognition of long-term scientific and pedagogical work, which strengthens the quality of Czech higher education. The academic excellence to which these experts contribute is key to the development of an educated and democratic society.”

Newly appointed professors upon the proposal of the Scientific Board of Brno University of Technology

Radim Burget – Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, BUT (FEEC BUT)

Field: Electrical Engineering and Communication Technology

Radim Burget specializes in signal processing, machine learning, and forensic analysis using artificial intelligence tools. He is the author or co-author of 138 publications indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) and has participated in more than ten projects. Examples include the use of AI tools in power grid management or transport.

In his faculty teaching practice, he has gradually introduced four new subjects, such as Data Structures and Algorithms. He has also taught abroad, in Turkey and China. He is a member of the advisory body of the scientific council of the director of the Institute of Criminalistics, Police of the Czech Republic and a member of the GAČR evaluation panel "Cybernetics, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Processing."

Pavel Foltin – Institute of Forensic Engineering, BUT (IFE BUT)

Field: Forensic Engineering

Pavel Foltin focuses on risk assessment affecting supply chains. From studying military logistics in international operations, he shifted to broader natural and other risks influence and lifecycle valuation of property. He collaborates with leading international research institutions and is the author of numerous scientific articles and conference papers. He is actively involved in research projects and expert analyses and contributes to teaching at home and abroad.

He is a head of the Department of Risk Engineering at IFE BUT and served as Vice-Rector for Internal Management and Quality Control at the University of Defence and head of the Defence Analyses Department at the same university.

Zdeněk Hadaš – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, BUT (FME BUT)

Field: Applied Mechanics

Zdeněk Hadaš focuses on the development of electromechanical systems and their behavior analysis. He particularly researches energy harvesting devices (which use ambient energy sources for power) and sensory systems for aerospace and railway applications. Through solving issues in many national and international projects, he helped build a stable interdisciplinary team with expertise in mechanics, advanced materials, electrical engineering, electronics, sensors, and informatics. He also co-leads the MEBioSys project, aiming to create a new generation of machines inspired by nature and applying mechatronic solutions to nature, such as next-generation implants.

He is the author or co-author of 104 WoS publications and several patents, utility models, and software. He also serves as director of the Institute of Automation and Computer Science FME BUT.

Jiří Jaroš – Faculty of Information Technology, BUT (FIT BUT)

Field: Computer Science and Informatics

Jiří Jaroš specializes in personalized medicine, focusing internationally on ultrasound and photoacoustics. He uses high-performance computing (HPC), research software, parallel and distributed algorithms, and numerical simulations. He is co-founder of the k-Wave project, which became a global software standard for medical ultrasound modeling in academia and industry, with over 25,000 users in 60 countries.

He has led GAČR-funded and European Horizon/Horizon Europe projects. He has published 15 journal articles and 60 conference papers. He leads the Supercomputing Technologies research group, is a member of the IT4Innovations supercomputing center scientific board, and an international iTRUSST consortium member. He received the Werner von Siemens Award for his innovative teaching, in the category Best Educator.

Tomáš Kazda – FEEC BUT

Field: Electrical Engineering and Communication Technology

Tomáš Kazda focuses on electrochemical energy sources, particularly the study of lithium-ion batteries and related areas such as lithium-sulfur and sodium-ion batteries. He also explores mathematical modeling and simulation tools for battery characteristics and research into materials, applications, and battery recycling.

He is the author or co-author of 55 WoS publications, several functional and utility models, and patents. As a distinguished teacher, he has long overseen and lectured on courses like Materials and Components for Biomedicine and Batteries for Electric Vehicles. He chairs the Czech Battery Cluster, which aims to create a system of companies and research institutions covering the entire battery supply chain.

Roman Šotner – FEEC BUT

Field: Electrical Engineering and Communication Technology

Roman Šotner’s expertise lies in modern circuit solutions and communication systems, particularly in electronic circuit control, circuit synthesis and design (including integrated ones), computer simulation and modeling of circuit behavior, and sensor signal processing.

He is the author or co-author of 111 WoS publications and numerous practical results in the form of functional prototypes or software. He has reviewed for international conferences and journals. As a team member, he has contributed to 14 projects funded by GAČR or the Ministry of Education. He teaches through selected topics in lectures and lab/computer exercises. He is a member of two doctoral program field boards and author or co-author of many textbooks and teaching materials.

Newly appointed professor on the proposal of the Artistic Council of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague

Barbora Klímová – Faculty of Fine Arts, BUT (FFA BUT)

Field: Fine Arts with a focus on Free Art

Professor Barbora Klímová. | Author: MŠMT

Barbora Klímová is a conceptual artist exploring various aspects of locally defined cultural history. She often blends methods and approaches typical of both artistic and theoretical practice, curatorship, and documentary work. Her best-known time-based projects include Replaced (2006), where she re-enacted selected iconic performances from the 1970s and 1980s, and Personal Events (2008), where individuals re-enacted activities shown in old photographs. In her professorial lecture Inspiring Misunderstanding, she discussed intergenerational dialogue and conflicts in the context of changes in Czech art schools after 1989. She teaches at the Environment Studio FFA BUT. In 2006, she received the Jindřich Chalupecký Award.

Newly appointed professor upon the proposal of the Scientific Board of University of Defence

Josef Sedlák – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, BUT (FME BUT)

Field: Machinery and materials

Josef Sedlák focuses on engineering technology and materials, where he participates in the creation of analyses, research reports, and economic activities. He is particularly involved in research in the field of rapid prototyping technologies, reverse engineering technologies, chip removal technologies (especially CNC machining) and bending and welding technologies. He is a co-investigator on several projects funded by non-ministerial providers (MPO TRIO, TAČR – TREND, TAČR – THÉTA) and the principal investigator on two standard internal projects at BUT. Within various research groups at the Institute of Manufacturing Technology, FME BUT, he became the head of a group that deals with testing cutting tools and additive materials, whose potential lies mainly in the field of mechanical engineering.

He is the author or co-author of 43 publications in WoS, one patent and two utility models. He also serves as deputy director at the Institute of Manufacturing Technology, FME BUT.