Modern transport, chemistry and Anglophone literature. UWB has three new professors

New professors at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen are Pavel Drábek, Justin Quinn, and Zdeněk Slouka. They were appointed on 1 June in Prague. Drábek focuses on electric energy in transport, Quinn on poetry and modern literature, and Slouka on chemical processes such as water treatment.

Newly appointed professor and electrical engineer Pavel Drábek specializes in power electronics, which underpins most modern electric drives and energy systems. “It enables, for example, a train to accelerate and brake smoothly, and ensures that energy from braking is not only turned into heat but can be partially reused,” explained Pavel Drábek from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of West Bohemia. According to him, modern power electronics also contributes to making today’s transport and energy systems more efficient, lighter, and more compact.

Alongside his research, he has long been involved in teaching. He says students are increasingly attracted to topics related to electromobility and modern energy. “I think power electronics is appealing because it is closely linked to real-world applications. Many students today see their future in electromobility, energy, or advanced drives, so motivation is quite high,” he added.

Irish poet, translator, and literary scholar Justin Quinn has long focused on Anglophone literature, especially 20th- and 21st-century poetry, modern Irish and American literature, and the relationship between Czech and English-speaking cultural environments. He is the author of both academic books and poetry collections, combining research, creative writing, and translation. He also works at Charles University, where he earned his degree.

A significant part of his work is translating Czech poetry into English. He has made the work of Petr Borkovec, Ivan Blatný, Bohuslav Reynek, and Jan Zábrana accessible to international audiences. “Literature has always been a way for me to cross boundaries – linguistic, cultural, and geographical. I am glad to work in an environment where teaching, research, translation, and creative writing meet, and where students can see literature as a living space of dialogue between different worlds,” said Justin Quinn.

Another scholar at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen who was appointed professor is Zdeněk Slouka from the NTC research center. He specializes in electromembrane processes and microfluidic technologies used, for example, in water purification. He obtained his professorship in Chemical Engineering at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, where he also holds his main position. However, the NTC research center closely collaborates with UCT Prague and Professor Slouka through its Department of Electrochemical Process Engineering.