University of Primorska Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies
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Monday, 14 October 2024 Three Zois Prize winners at UP this year

This year's Zois Prize winners include three employees of the University of Primorska. The award, named after the Slovenian researcher Žiga Zois, has been awarded in Slovenia since 1998 to all outstanding researchers whose work has made a lasting mark on scientific research and development in the Republic of Slovenia and has made a significant contribution to its development. We would like to extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners of this highest and most prestigious award in Slovenia.

This year, three UP employees are among the recipients: Associate Prof. Dr. Tomaž Grušovnik and Prof. Dr. Vito Vitrih received the Zois Acknowledgment, and Prof. Dr. Igor Klep received the Zois Award - we congratulate them all on receiving the award.

The winners were announced at today's press conference of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and the prizes will be awarded at a ceremony to be held this year in the Gallus Hall of the Cankarjev dom on 28 November.

Among the recipients of the Zois Award for significant scientific and research achievements in the field of cardiovascular medicine is Prof. Dr. Mitja Lainščak, who participates as a lecturer in the study process at UP FVZ and we also congratulate him!

The Zois Acknowledgment for significant achievements in the field of numerical mathematics will be awarded to Prof. Dr. Vito Vitrih, UP IAM, UP FAMNIT.

Prof. Dr. Vito Vitrih's research in the fields of numerical mathematics and computer-aided geometric design has contributed significantly to more effective solutions of engineering challenges and developments in the fields of robotics, computer graphics and animation. His contribution in isogeometric analysis is particularly valuable in helping to improve technological processes and the design of industrial products. By developing new mathematical tools, he strengthens the link between theoretical knowledge and its application in industry.

The Zois Award for outstanding achievements in the field of algebra and its applications will be awarded to Prof. Dr. Igor Klep, UP FAMNIT, UL FMF.

Prof. Dr. Igor Klep is one of the most prolific and internationally renowned Slovenian mathematicians, especially in the field of the application of algebra in quantum physics, functional analysis and computational mathematics. He has solved one of the key problems in matrix theory, which had been unsolved for almost 40 years, and with his colleagues has proved important properties of matrix bundles, opening up new areas of research in algebra. His work also includes the application of mathematical theories to quantum physics, where he and his colleagues have contributed to a better understanding of quantum networks.

The Zois Acknowledgment, for outstanding achievements in the field of environmental and animal ethics goes to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tomaž Grušovnik, UP PEF.

Associate Prof. Dr. Tomaž Grušovnik researches the relationship between people and the environment and animals. His work reveals that people know, but at the same time ignore, unpleasant truths about environmental problems and animal exploitation. Willful ignorance makes it difficult to tackle these issues. He stresses that it is not enough to give information; it is also important to foster a desire to learn about the world. With his original thesis, he has contributed to a better understanding of the public's unresponsiveness to the key environmental challenges facing humanity.

Foto: Peter Irman for MVZI