Today was definitely one of the most exciting company visits for me personally. Not that the others weren’t amazing, but this one really hit close to home—it connected directly to my major, so I found it easier to stay engaged, ask questions, and truly immerse myself in the discussions. We visited IOCB Prague, the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, a leading research institute that partners with scientists to support their discoveries, offering assistance with funding, patenting, and bringing innovations to market. What I appreciated most was that IOCB isn’t just about the science; it’s about helping scientists translate their work into real-world impact.
We heard from researchers working on three different projects, but my favorite by far was the cancer research presented by Dr. Zuzana. Her work focuses on a protein called LacB, which functions as a tumor suppressor. What fascinated me was how this protein, when present in high concentrations near cancer cells, can actually prevent them from proliferating and eventually cause them to die off. Instead of triggering a full immune system response, her approach targets cancer cells directly using LacB, minimizing side effects and avoiding harm to healthy cells. As someone hoping to go into cancer research myself, this presentation was incredibly inspiring it showed me how targeted, molecular-level research could change the way we treat cancer in the future.
We ended the day on a more relaxing note with a dinner boat cruise along the Vltava River. It was the perfect way to take in one last view of Prague watching the city lights reflect on the water as we enjoyed a warm meal and good company. After everything we’ve seen and learned, tonight felt like a truly special send-off.
Swanson School of Engineering 