To get more insights into Dr. Shmit‘s academic journey, our BRT Communications team conducted an interview to capture his thoughts and share his story.

ENJOY THE INTERVIEW!

Question 1: How does it feel to have successfully defended your doctoral dissertation?

Dr. Shmit: Defending my doctoral dissertation was definitely an accomplishment; I feel confident and ready to face new challenges.

Question 2:  Can you share pivotal moments from your academic journey that you believe were crucial in successfully defending your doctoral dissertation?

Dr. Shmit: Several moments carved the road for me to defend my doctoral dissertation successfully. Obtaining the CIGA project was crucial in requiring funding for the research. It helped me focus on writing, preparing for conferences, and performing laboratory work for two years without having to worry about financial security. Publishing my first paper was motivation in and of itself, but it also opened doors to co-work with several scientific researchers. This, in turn, led to a broader spectrum of experimental and research direction, which further shaped my final results.   

Question 3: How has this achievement influenced your overall experience and professional growth?

Dr. Shmit: I have a stronger belief in my capabilities and personal perseverance. Success comes through hard work, positive forward-thinking, and constructive teamwork. I have learned all of these things through my doctoral journey, and they have now come in handy for my professional career.     

Question 4: Reflecting on the process, what were the significant challenges you encountered during your dissertation's writing and defence phases, and how did you navigate through them?

Dr. Shmit: Obtaining results from the experimental work was challenging time-wise. I invested a great deal of time and effort into experiments which did not materialise. With positive results, it is different; you discuss follow-up experiments to highlight further and evaluate the data while considering possible scientific journals where to publish. You can imagine the disappointment from failed experiments and the excitement which comes with success. The major challenge here was staying motivated and focused; picture a heartbeat monitor, with your motivation fluctuating up and down. I navigated through this by consulting with my supervisors, setting new plans to overcome obstacles, and going forward. 

Question 5: Balancing academic commitments, personal life, and other responsibilities can be demanding. How have you managed to strike that balance while working on your dissertation?

Dr. Shmit: I guess one day at a time. There is no formula here; I could not balance, instead I sacrificed and compromised.

Question 6: What advice would you offer fellow doctoral candidates preparing for their dissertation defence?

Dr. Shmit: Believe in yourself, trust your colleagues, and be confident in your leadership.  

Question 7:  Do you have any recommendations for current and future BRT students?

Dr. Shmit: BRT offers you endless opportunities and valuable skills to embark on a successful future. Make the best out of it! Personally, I learned a lot about constructive work ethic and leadership from the BRT director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubik. And I now see the fruits of such skills in my professional career.

Question 8: Now that you have reached this momentous achievement - What are your plans for the future?

Dr. Shmit: I plan to further combine my scientific knowledge with practical experience in the agricultural field. In my master's, I researched the effect of certain essential oils in fighting plant pathogens. In my doctoral studies, I worked on enhancing essential oils in medicinal plants. Today, I am pursuing a career in plant Biostimulants as natural and sustainable tools in combating biotic and abiotic stresses in field conditions.  

We thank Dr. Shmit for sharing insights into his academic journey and wish him success, new discoveries, and a continued sense of fulfilment in his future endeavours!