ASEF Visit Slovenia Fellows 2026 Gather at Government Office for Slovenians Abroad

The Government Office for Slovenians Abroad hosted an official reception to welcome six (out of eight) current Visit Slovenia junior fellows of the American Slovenian Education Foundation (ASEF), along with Dr. Špela Jalen, member of the Board of Directors, Novartis LLC and Site Head of Biologics Development Mengeš. She is a representative of mentoring organizations, which this year includes Novartis Mengeš. The delegation was warmly received by Minister Suzana Lep Šimenko and State Secretary Dr. Helena Jaklitsch, highlighting the strong partnership between the Slovenian government, academic host institutions, and the global Slovenian diaspora. 

Since 2017, the ASEF Visit Slovenia Fellowship has offered a highly selective, all-inclusive educational experience, empowering over 90 junior fellows to conduct top-tier research in Slovenia, reconnect with their heritage, and integrate into a lifelong international scientific network. Under the core motto “Reconnect with your roots – study in Slovenia,” the program serves as a vital bridge connecting talented young minds across oceans and continents.

Meeting the 2026 Visit Slovenia Fellows

This year, ASEF is proud to host an exceptional and diverse cohort of eight 2026 Visit Slovenia fellows originating from the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Argentina, and Australia. During the reception, the fellows presented their research initiatives and shared the valuable experiences gained through their international study exchanges.

The 2026 generation represents a wide spectrum of academic fields and top-tier host institutions in Slovenia. Cecilija Rowane from the USA (Ohio), a nursing student at The Ohio State University, is conducting her research visit at UMC Ljubljana under the mentorship of Dr. Urh Grošelj. Also from Ohio, Eleanor Withrow, who studies Chemical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, is applying her knowledge at Novartis Mengeš under the guidance of Lucija Majal Belca, Žan Kovačič, Janja Dermol-Černe, and Aleš Ručigaj. From Chicago, physics student Nikolas Gestrich (University of Minnesota) is performing applied research at SportRadar under Dr. Andrej Bratko, where he is joined by Ignacio Bečaj, an economics student at the University of Bologna from Argentina (Garin), who is focusing on economic modeling and analytics.

Further strengthening the economic and legal focus, Kevyn O’Connell from Toronto, Canada, holding a Master’s degree in Economics from the Barcelona School of Economics, is dedicating her visit to the Slovene Regional Development Fund (Ribniški sklad) under Matjaž Ribaš. Geronimo Miguel Comba from Miramar, Argentina, a law graduate from National University Mar del Plata specializing in international law and digital marketing, is working at Celtra mentored by Ana Malave. Additionally, ASEF acknowledged two other outstanding fellows from this generation: Jacob Tyler, an astrophysicist from Villanova University mentored by Prof. Andrej Prša, who recently completed his research visit, and Matija Šraj, a screenwriting fellow from Melbourne, Australia, currently conducting his research visit at the production house Stara Gara.

Fostering Excellence, Mentorship, and Heritage

The central theme of the reception focused on the transformative power of mentorship, knowledge transfer, and youth engagement. ASEF extended its heartfelt gratitude to the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad for its continuous support, which provides the necessary foundation for these success stories to flourish. Equally vital is the contribution of host organizations and academic mentors, whose dedication proves that Slovenia serves as an exceptional ecosystem for world-class research, innovation, and professional growth.

Minister Suzana Lep Šimenko and State Secretary Dr. Helena Jaklitsch commended the fellows for their achievements and wished them continued success in their academic and professional journeys, reassuring them of the government’s strong support for initiatives that connect Slovenians worldwide.

Following the formal reception, ASEF junior fellows enjoyed a warm lunch featuring traditional Slovenian cuisine, including classic beef soup (goveja juha) and traditional dumplings (štruklji), providing a perfect informal setting to celebrate heritage, culture, and new connections.