ASEF Podcast Live from Križanke – Season 4 Finale
The final episode of ASEF Podcast Season 4 brings to a close a six-month period of discussions centered on research, science, and connecting Slovenians at home and around the world. This episode is truly special — it was recorded live at the Arena of Technologies event in Križanke, Ljubljana!
The discussion was hosted by Martin Jurkovič, joined by four ASEF Fellows: Zala Perko, Domen Škerlep, Jaka Godejša, and Milena Zupanc. In an engaging and insightful conversation, the guests shared their personal stories from the ASEF Research Abroad and ASEF Visit Slovenia Fellowship Programs. They discussed their research visits in the U.S., Australia, and Slovenia, their mentors, and how the ASEF Fellowship has shaped their academic, professional, and personal journeys.
The episode also explores how the application process works, how fellows find their mentors, and what ASEF offers throughout the fellowship — from research and mentorship to community events, lifelong connections, and professional development opportunities. With Milena, who is currently completing her research visit at the Oncology Institute in Ljubljana, the conversation also touches on the Slovenian community in Argentina and the importance of maintaining Slovenian heritage abroad.
The episode was recorded live in front of an audience and is also available in video format on YouTube.
HOST OF THE EPISODE:
Martin Jurkovič
Martin is a Data Scientist and AI Engineer at Viaduct AI, a Silicon Valley–based company developing artificial intelligence solutions for vehicles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Ljubljana, where he is currently completing his master’s degree in Data Science. As a visiting researcher at Stanford University, in the lab of Prof. Jure Leskovec, he explored graph neural networks and relational deep learning. For his research work, he received multiple awards, including first place at the University of Ljubljana Data Science Competition, leading to his first publication at ICLR 2025 in Singapore.
GUESTS OF THE EPISODE:
Zala Perko
Zala holds a master’s degree in Biochemistry from the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana. She completed her 10-week research visit at the University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, in Brisbane, Australia, under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Boštjan Kobe. Her research focused on the structural biology of PETases — enzymes that break down the plastic polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The visit formed part of her master’s thesis, in which she studied the impact of introducing coiled-coil motifs on the structural properties, oligomerization, and activity of PETases.
Domen Škerlep
Domen holds a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. He recently returned from his ASEF Research Abroad visit at Princeton University, where he studied vibrations in metamaterials. He currently works as a pseudopilot at Slovenia Control, the national air traffic control authority, and will soon continue his studies at ETH Zürich, pursuing a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.
Jaka Godejša
Jaka is a master’s student of Tourism at the Faculty of Tourism Studies – Turistica, University of Primorska, where he is also employed. He completed his bachelor’s degree under the mentorship of Dr. Dejan Križaj, researching the use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) at events. Previously, he worked at the startup Fairbnb.coop, which was accepted into the MIT Design X incubator in Venice. As an ASEF Fellow, he conducted research at Deakin University in Australia, studying the impact of virtual cycling on the image of tourist destinations. At Turistica, he is actively involved in establishing the Center for Digital Excellence and Innovative Sustainable Technologies.
Milena Zupanc
Milena comes from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is of Slovenian descent. She is currently completing a 10-week research visit across several departments at the Oncology Institute of Ljubljana. In Argentina, she works at the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires, in the Oncology-Hematology Department and the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Her professional duties include administering chemotherapy and medication, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patients and their families. Her research focuses on integrating public health topics into nursing education, with an emphasis on the treatment of celiac disease in legislation and curricula in Argentina.
Apply for the ASEF Research Abroad Fellowship 2026!
Applications for the ASEF Research Abroad Program 2026 are open until November 2, 2025! If you are a motivated Slovenian student or young researcher eager to gain experience at one of the world’s top universities or research institutions, now is the time to apply!
🔗 Learn more about the call: https://asef.net/event/open-applications-for-the-asef-research-abroad-program-2026/
🔗 Register for Info Sessions: https://gddtzs4uo42.typeform.com/to/J7BqSsdd?typeform-source=www.google.com
🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1753090/episodes/18041616
🎥 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/a14j0yna47Y
