Science that changes the world
Ing. Lenka Lacinová, Ph.D.
Specialisation: Analytical chemistry – inorganics, in particular instrumental methods, retired senior researcher
From analyst to researcher to civil servant, or whatever I was, I was happy :-D
I started my studies at a time when the choice of school was not entirely free, and the University of Chemistry and Technology was my second choice. Gradually, however, I discovered the system, logic, and wide range of applications in chemistry. I was fascinated by glass, but in the end I found my calling in analytical chemistry. After 17 years in a commercial laboratory, I was looking for a change and started working with the remediation divisions at AQUATEST on laboratory and semi-operational tests. This led me to TUL in Liberec, where I have been involved in building a new laboratory at the Faculty of Mechatronics since 2006. We worked on testing nano-iron for remediation technologies, tried combining it with biological methods, and tested other methods for cleaning groundwater and wastewater as part of the NANOBIOWAT project and others. Being there at the birth of a new laboratory was great—creating, testing colleagues' ideas, and getting closer to hydrogeology. In the meantime, I was studying for my doctorate and the laboratory was growing until we moved to CXI, where an accredited analytical laboratory was established.
I gradually took on the role of quality manager, which meant overseeing analytical practices and documentation. My involvement in projects gradually decreased until, in 2021, I wrote my last final report and returned to instrumental analysis. Covid arrived, along with challenges related to rising costs, but the laboratory persevered. In 2023, I accepted an offer to become the head of the laboratory, which today means managing operations, dealing with customers, and overseeing quality—last year, we successfully passed reaccreditation. Today, I am almost 100% an administrator, occasionally acting as a CIA auditor, and I only get to the laboratory on rare occasions as a "reward." Sometimes I miss the daily routine of laboratory work – and who knows where life will take me next...