"I love the feeling you get when you discover something new," says Kamila Burdová, the new incubation manager at i&i Prague
Kamila joined i&i Prague in May this year. She brings over a decade of scientific experience in molecular biology, genome stability, and DNA repair, gained at leading research institutions including the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Prague, the University of Oxford, and the University of Sussex. “I want to be part of a team that can turn a unique scientific idea into a real product that will help people,” says Kamila about her work at i&i Prague.
Kamila, in your CV, we find some interesting addresses such as Oxford and Sussex. What made you return to the Czech Republic?
I spent a total of four years in England, specifically from 2018 to 2022. One year I was at Oxford and three at the University of Sussex. There were two reasons for my return. The first important factor was Brexit and everything that came with it. Prices skyrocketed, and some goods became unavailable. It all brought enormous uncertainty, which I didn’t want to endure long-term. The second reason was that I was approached by a former colleague who was expanding her activities to Switzerland and was looking for someone to help her run her laboratory in Prague.
Am I right in understanding that a scientist working in the United Kingdom had trouble financing everyday life after Brexit?
Unfortunately yes. I moved to the UK shortly after the referendum and left a few months after the Hard Brexit. I lived in some of the most expensive parts of the country, and sadly, living there as a postdoctoral researcher became economically unsustainable.
So you returned to the Czech Republic to work in academia. Why did you decide to leave and join i&i Prague?
I had been thinking about leaving academia for some time, mainly due to uncertainty about the future. The negatives started to outweigh the positives, and the academic environment stopped fulfilling me personally. So when I came across the position at i&i Prague, I knew right away. Here I can use what I enjoy most about science, but at the same time look at it from a completely different perspective.
So when I came across the position at i&i Prague, I knew right away. Here I can use what I enjoy most about science, but at the same time look at it from a completely different perspective.
KAMILA BURDOVÁ
Incubation Manager
What do you enjoy most about science?
The necessity of constantly learning. And then that feeling you get when you discover something new, something no one else has ever seen before.
At i&i Prague, you work as an incubation manager. What exactly does this role involve?
For projects going through our incubation program, we help with all the key aspects of launching a biotech startup. We assess the quality of the technology and the team’s readiness, the technology’s potential, intellectual property issues, and propose financing strategies. After joining, I started to be involved in multiple projects in different stages of the incubation process. Sometimes the work is more scientific, other times more business-oriented.
In your view, how can the gap between science and business be bridged?
I think this gap is mainly caused by a lack of information. Many scientists have no idea that commercialization is even an option. And those who have heard of it often hold misconceptions and are full of mistrust. We need to systematically raise awareness of this topic – include it in university curricula and show the benefits it can bring. It’s a long-distance run, but that’s the only way we’ll bridge this gap.
What excites me more is being part of a team that manages to turn a unique scientific idea into a real product that helps people. That’s the goal for me.
KAMILA BURDOVÁ
Incubation Manager
What types of projects do you enjoy the most?
All our projects are interesting. However, projects related to my scientific background, such as cell therapies and drug development, are still closest to my heart.
What do you think is the biggest weakness of Czech biotech?
A major problem is definitely the low number of companies engaged in research. For a young scientist, it’s not easy to find a path outside academia if they want to continue doing science. Larger companies with in-house research are extremely scarce here.
Do you have a dream project?
I don’t have a specific area or technology I dream of. What excites me more is being part of a team that manages to turn a unique scientific idea into a real product that helps people. That’s the goal for me.
I know that travelling and discovering new flavours are big hobbies of yours. Do you see any parallel with science?
Absolutely! The kitchen is essentially a kind of home laboratory. And just like science, it’s about experimenting, discovering, and learning new things. Both have fascinated me all my life.
So if you had to choose just one room, would it be the laboratory or the kitchen?
Honestly? I’ve had my fill of laboratories. So at the moment, the kitchen – and discovering all those fascinating flavours the world has to offer.
Thank you for the interview.
Author: Martin Kovalčík