Saša Novak Krmpotič
Photo: osebni arhiv

Novak Krmpotič Saša

Assoc. Prof. Dr Saša Novak Krmpotič launched herself into scientific waters at a very early age. At the very beginning of her studies she was employed as a chemistry technician at the Jožef Stefan Institute.

While employed she gained her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the University of Ljubljana. She enhanced her professional knowledge as a guest researcher at Imperial College in London, one of the best university institutions in the world, and at the Polytechnic University in Turin.

In 2013 the Institute awarded her the title of scientific councillor, and in 2014 she became an associate professor at the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School. She conducts research at the Department for Nanostructure Material of the Jožef Stefan Institute, where she is involved mainly with the development of advanced composite materials for use in future fusion reactors and of materials for use in biomedicine. Her successful research earned her a Zois award in 2013 for important scientific achievements in the field of materials, and in 2003 a Zois award for a group of researchers for technological achievement. She is ranked among the top internationally recognised experts in the field of materials for extreme conditions and materials for use in medicine.

Together with colleagues she has published more than 110 scientific articles, garnering more than 1,900 citations, and is also the author of patents and patent applications.

Dr Novak is a strong advocate for spreading knowledge and informing the public about the achievements of science, so it is no surprise that she is a representative of the Slovenian Fusion Association for providing information to the public, she lectures on the communication of science and is an originator and head of the Science on the Streets project, which was established in 2013 in response to the extreme slashing of funds for science, under the patronage of the SATENA association. She also collaborated in establishing the non-profit institution of the same name (2017), which continues to present scientific research and achievements in the form of popular lectures, which have attracted large-scale audiences and a very positive response from those attending.

Alongside her numerous lectures, Saša can also be seen on television and in the print media, and she also participates in numerous conferences, while also regularly spreading knowledge via the Science on the Streets blog.