The recipients of the highest national prizes and awards in the field of science for 2025 have been announced

The Zois Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the field of medical virology has been awarded to Acad. Prof. Dr Tatjana Avšič Županc from the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana (UL MF). Acad. Prof. Dr Tatjana Avšič Županc has made a major contribution to public health and safety through her research on viruses that cause severe diseases in humans. Her work has significantly advanced the understanding and control of dangerous viral outbreaks in Slovenia and worldwide. She discovered and named an entirely new type of virus – Dobrava. She also developed rapid virus detection methods, leading to the groundbreaking discovery that Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause brain damage in the foetus. The results of her research have improved the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and form a crucial foundation for modern medical virology.

The Puh Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the field of pharmaceutical product development and technological processes in industry has been awarded to Prof. Dr Franc Vrečer from KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, and the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana (UL FFA). Prof. Dr Franc Vrečer has left a profound mark on the Slovenian pharmaceutical industry through his innovative work in developing solid pharmaceutical dosage forms. At KRKA, he has led numerous development projects and played a key role in implementing new work methods. His pioneering contributions to the creation of advanced pharmaceutical forms, such as pellet-based medicines, have helped secure KRKA’s leading position among global generic manufacturers. He has co-authored more than 30 international patents and authored numerous highly cited scientific publications. As a full professor at the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Pharmacy, he has contributed to establishing the master’s study programme in Industrial Pharmacy, and been actively involved in developing professional pharmaceutical terminology.

The Zois Prize for Outstanding Achievements in the field of chemical and biochemical microprocess engineering has been awarded to Prof. Dr Polona Žnidaršič Plazl and Prof. Dr Igor Plazl from the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana (UL FKKT). Prof. Dr Polona Žnidaršič Plazl and Prof. Dr Igor Plazl are pioneers in transforming the way chemical and biochemical processes are developed. In their laboratories, they design miniaturised flow systems and microreactors – small but exceptionally powerful devices in which reactions and product isolation occur more rapidly, with lower energy consumption and reduced waste. They precisely predict process dynamics using mathematical models, thereby enabling the more efficient and environmentally friendly production of medicines and chemicals. Their innovations extend beyond scientific publications – they are actively transferred into Slovenian industry, helping to lay the foundations for sustainable production.

The Zois Prize for Outstanding Achievements in the field of microscopic sources of laser and quantum light has been awarded to Assoc. Prof. Dr Matjaž Humar from the Jožef Stefan Institute, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana (UL FMF), and the Centre of Excellence in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology – NANOCENTER. Assoc. Prof. Dr Matjaž Humar is exploring new optical devices made not from traditional solid materials, but from soft and biological substances. This gives them unique properties applicable in quantum technology, medical diagnostics and the study of cellular processes. Together with his research team, he was the first in the world to develop highly sensitive lasers from soap bubbles and lasers embedded within living cells. They were also the first to create entangled photons in liquid crystals – a breakthrough that enables, for the first time, the manipulation of quantum light properties using an electric field, in a manner similar to LCD screens.

The Puh Prize for Outstanding Achievements in the development and application of an advanced form of cell immunotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer has been awarded to Dr Mateja Gabrijel Blatnik from the Cell Engineering Laboratory and the Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana (UL MF); Prof. Dr Helena H. Chowdhury from the Cell Engineering Laboratory and the Institute of Pathophysiology, UL MF; Prof. Dr Marko Kreft from the Cell Engineering Laboratory, the Institute of Pathophysiology, UL MF, and the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana (UL BF); Assist. Prof. Dr Simon Hawlina from the Department of Urology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, and the Department of Surgery, UL MF; Prof. Dr Matjaž Jeras from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana (UL FFA); and Acad. Prof. Dr Robert Zorec from the Cell Engineering Laboratory and the Institute of Pathophysiology, UL MF. This group of researchers has developed an advanced form of cell immunotherapy that represents a safer and more effective approach to cancer treatment. Instead of traditional immunotherapies, which are often associated with serious side effects, they used the patient’s own dendritic cells to “teach” the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. By applying electrical impulses, these cells were fused with the patient’s tumour cells to create immunohybridomas, which trigger a targeted immune response. The therapy was tested on patients with prostate cancer, and the results demonstrated that the treatment is safe, modulates the patients’ immune responses, and can prolong survival.

The Zois Award for significant achievements in the field of photovoltaics has been awarded to Assoc. Prof. Dr Marko Jošt from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana (UL FE). In the field of photovoltaics and solar cells, Assoc. Prof. Dr Marko Jošt conducts research on new materials for converting sunlight into electricity, with a particular focus on perovskites. His work encompasses both structurally simpler single-junction and advanced tandem perovskite solar cells – technologies that are at the forefront of modern photovoltaics. Through his research, he has contributed to improving the efficiency of perovskite-based solar cells, deepening the understanding of their operation, and extending their lifespan. In doing so, he has made an important contribution to the global development of this emerging technology and its application in industrial production. 

The Zois Award for significant achievements in the field of quantum materials has been awarded to Prof. Dr Andrej Zorko from the Jožef Stefan Institute and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana (UL FMF). With numerous groundbreaking discoveries of entirely new quantum states and phenomena, Prof. Dr Andrej Zorko sets the direction of the rapidly developing scientific field of quantum materials – materials whose properties cannot be explained by classical physics but require the concepts of quantum mechanics. The discovery and understanding of these materials provide crucial insights into the complex quantum nature of matter and open the door to the development of advanced technologies, such as highly powerful quantum computers and ultra-sensitive quantum sensors. His scientific achievements have gained international recognition and contributed significantly to the advancement of modern high-tech applications.

The Zois Award for significant achievements in the field of research into financial uncertainty and economic policies has been awarded to Prof. Dr Miroslav Verbič from the School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana (UL EF) and the Institute for Economic Research. The research of Prof. Dr Miroslav Verbič contributes to a deeper understanding of how financial crises and government decisions affect businesses and the economy as a whole, particularly in Slovenia and the euro area. His studies demonstrate how financial uncertainty can hinder business investment and economic growth, while also proposing measures that governments and central banks can take to enhance stability during challenging periods. His findings provide policymakers with valuable guidance for protecting jobs, supporting businesses and ensuring financial stability. They serve as an important tool for strategic economic governance, especially in times of crisis.

The Ambassador of Science of the Republic of Slovenia Award has been awarded to Prof. Dr Uroš Seljak from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, for his contributions to the visibility of Slovenia in the field of cosmology and astrophysics. Prof. Dr Uroš Seljak’s work in cosmology and astrophysics has significantly strengthened Slovenia’s visibility and reputation in the global scientific community. He is internationally renowned for his pioneering research on cosmic microwave background radiation, which represents the earliest observable image of the universe. He has received numerous prestigious awards for his exceptional scientific achievements, including the Gruber Prize, the most distinguished recognition in the field of cosmology. He has also established a fund at the University of Ljubljana to support the Dr Uroš Seljak Prizes, which recognise the best scientific papers by first- and second-cycle students. Alongside his career in the United States, he maintains close collaboration with Slovenian research institutions and has hosted several talented Slovenian students through the American Slovenian Education Foundation (ASEF). 

The Zois Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the field of discrete mathematics has been awarded to Prof. Dr Tomaž Pisanski from the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies at the University of Primorska, the Andrej Marušič Institute, and the Institute of Mathematics, Physics and Mechanics. The Zois Prize for Outstanding Achievements in the study of Slovenian political history has been awarded to Prof. Dr Andrej Rahten from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Maribor, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU), and the Milko Kos Historical Institute. The Zois Prize for Outstanding Achievements in the field of systems and molecular biology has been awarded to Prof. Dr Kristina Gruden from the National Institute of Biology. The Zois Award for significant achievements in the field of interdisciplinary research on literature and culture between the 16th and 19th centuries has been awarded to Assist. Prof. Dr Luka Vidmar from the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU) and the Institute of Slovenian Literature and Literary Studies. The Zois Award for significant achievements in the field of tree biology has been awarded to Dr Jožica Gričar from the Slovenian Forestry Institute. The Zois Award for significant achievements in the field of biomolecular simulations has been awarded to Prof. Dr Urban Bren from the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at the University of Maribor, the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies at the University of Primorska, and the Institute of Environmental Protection and Sensors. 

We extend our sincere congratulations to all the recipients. 

The ceremonial presentation of the highest national prizes and awards for exceptional achievements in scientific research and development will take place on the eve of World Science Day, on Sunday, 9 November 2025, at 20:00 at Cankarjev Dom.

The Zois and Puh prizes and awards, together with the Ambassador of Science of the Republic of Slovenia Award, represent the highest and most prestigious national honours in the Republic of Slovenia for outstanding achievements in scientific research, technological development and innovation. They are conferred by the Committee of the Republic of Slovenia for the Awarding of Prizes and Awards for Outstanding Achievements in Scientific Research and Development, appointed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia from among distinguished researchers. Candidates for membership of the Committee are proposed by the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, universities and higher education institutions, research institutes, economic organisations, and individual researchers.

The Zois and Puh prizes acknowledge and highlight the exceptional contributions of the recipients to the advancement of science and innovation. Their achievements serve as an inspiration and motivation for young people – the next generation of researchers. By bestowing these prizes, the Republic of Slovenia publicly affirms the importance of science for society and fosters the growth of scientific research and innovation. 

The Zois prizes and awards and the Ambassador of Science of the Republic of Slovenia Award have been presented since 1998, while the Puh awards have been awarded since 2005, and the Puh prizes since 2017.