MEET THE WOMEN TRANSFORMING SCIENCE
From medicine and economics to biotechnology, three remarkable women show how research can move far beyond academia and create tangible change in society. Meet the winners of the Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition in the Science category.
Women Changing The World: Meet The Women Transforming Science
Science changes the world long before most of us can see its impact. Behind research, evidence and new approaches are people willing to question what already exists – and to dedicate years of work to finding better answers.
The Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition recognise women whose work creates meaningful impact across industries, communities and society. This week, we introduce three women from the Science category whose careers show how knowledge can translate into leadership, innovation and real-world change.
Milena Králíčková
Medicine, biomedical research and academic leadership
Professor Milena Králíčková is a physician, scientist and academic leader whose work has connected medicine, research and university leadership for decades. Her scientific background is in histology, embryology and reproductive medicine, including research experience at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University through a Fulbright fellowship. From 2022 to 2026 she served as Rector of Charles University, becoming the first woman to lead the university in its modern history. Today she continues her scientific work at the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen and the Biomedical Centre. Her career reflects the impact that can be created when scientific expertise is combined with responsibility for institutions, education and the next generation of researchers.
Lenka Farkačová Říhová
Economics, labour market and science communication
Lenka Farkačová Říhová is an economist and researcher whose work focuses on topics that directly shape everyday life – from the labour market and remuneration to broader economic and social questions. Alongside research, she is strongly committed to making expert knowledge understandable and useful beyond academia. Her approach is built on the idea that information only creates value when it is shared, discussed and applied. By connecting research with public communication and practical questions, she represents a form of science that does not remain behind university walls but enters the public conversation and helps people and organisations make better-informed decisions.
Šarlota Kaňuková
Plant biotechnology and next-generation food technologies
RNDr. Šarlota Kaňuková, PhD. is a Slovak scientist specialising in plant biotechnology. She works with plant cell and tissue cultures, exploring how biologically active compounds and valuable secondary metabolites can be produced independently of traditional agriculture. Her research combines experimental biotechnology with data analysis and machine-learning approaches to optimise cultivation and production processes. Alongside academic and research work, she is also involved in translating science into practical innovation, including plant-cell technologies for the next generation of saffron production. Her work shows how biotechnology can connect scientific discovery with food, sustainability and new commercial possibilities.
Together, these three women demonstrate that science is not one single path. It can mean leading a major university, translating economic research into public understanding, or developing new biotechnologies with the potential to reshape production. What connects them is the ability to turn expertise into impact.
Discover more Women Changing the World Awards winners → https://thewomenchangingtheworld.cz