ASEF Junior Fellow Gregor Puhar on his research visit at University of Illinois

We are excited to announce that Gregor Puhar, a 2024 ASEF Junior Fellow from Slovenia, has just completed his 10-week research visit at Professor 𝗗𝗿 David Šarlah’s group at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Department of Chemistry. 

Gregor worked on the total synthesis of large complex biomolecules with promising anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. His tasks included setting up the reactions, isolating and purifying products, and characterizing the synthesised molecules by NMR and mass spectrometry.

In his free time, Gregor frequently visited the university’s recreation centre where he enjoyed playing basketball and swimming. He also explored Urbana-Champaign by bike and visited Chicago and St. Louis, where he met with ASEF fellows from the United States and Slovenia. After his research visit, Gregor travelled through western United States, exploring the Yellowstone Natural Park, rafting the Salmon River and hiking in the mountains around Salt Lake City. 

Gregor is incredibly grateful to Professor David Šarlah for the opportunity to join his organic chemistry group. The experience provided him with many skills and insights into becoming a researcher. In the group he met with many extremely talented and helpful scientists who guided him through his day at the laboratory.

We are extremely happy that Gregor’s time at University of Illinois brought him an abundance of new experience in his professional as well as personal life and we sincerely congratulate him on completing his research visit!

We also thank the Office for Youth and all ASEF donors for supporting the work of ASEF and our Junior Fellows.