At the beginning of March 2026, the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University welcomed a distinguished guest from Canada – Professor Emilio I. Alarcon from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. His visit, held on 2–3 March, included not only a specialist lecture on modern biomaterials for regenerative medicine but also intensive discussions on future international cooperation in research and education.
Professor Alarcon works at the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa and also serves as a Principal Investigator at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. At the Faculty of Medicine, he holds the position of Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Program Development Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. He is also the recipient of a University Research Chair in Peptides for Tissue and Organ Repair, reflecting his leadership in the development of peptide‑based, light‑activated and biomimetic materials for regenerative medicine.
The impetus for the visit: new opportunities for collaboration with Canada
The visit was motivated by new possibilities for joint projects between European and Canadian institutions. In July 2024, Canada officially became an associated country to Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme. This enables Canadian institutions to take part in European grants under conditions similar to EU member states.
This development created space for deeper collaboration between Canadian and European research teams. Professor Alarcon therefore contacted his former postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Veronika Sedláková from the Department of Histology and Embryology at the Faculty of Medicine MU (DHE FM MU), and together they planned a visit aimed at discussing opportunities for scientific cooperation and student mobility.
“Initial contact was made in mid‑January, and the visit took place already at the beginning of March. The biggest challenge was aligning Professor Alarcon’s schedule with the availability of all colleagues he was to meet during the two days,” says Dr. Sedláková, adding that the communication with Professor Alarcon was smooth and efficient.
Laboratory tour and research discussions
At the Department of Histology and Embryology, Prof. Alarcon toured the laboratories, microscopy halls, instrumentation and cell culture facilities.
He was particularly impressed by the extensive collection of histological slides used in student education. “Professor Alarcon appreciated that students have access to such a wide collection of histological slides for individual study. What we consider standard is, in many places abroad, not commonly available,” noted Dr. Sedláková.
A discussion followed with the Head of the Department, Prof. Aleš Hampl, and research group leaders – Assoc. Prof. Petr Vaňhara, Dr. Dáša Bohačiaková and Assoc. Prof. Tomáš Bárta. The researchers presented their projects in regenerative medicine, cellular plasticity, neurobiology, vision research and stem cell biology.
Professor Alarcon introduced his own research programme focused on cardiac and corneal tissue repair, the development of injectable collagen and peptide‑based materials, and technologies for in situ biofabrication at the site of tissue damage. The discussion gradually turned to the possibility of a joint project within Horizon Europe.
Together with Dr. Dáša Bohačiaková and Dr. Mária Kreger Karabová, he also explored links between cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
Lecture on biomaterials for regenerative medicine
In the afternoon, Prof. Alarcon delivered a lecture entitled From naturally occurring polymers to peptides as building blocks for soft materials for tissue and organ repair. The event took place in lecture hall B11/334 and was streamed online.
The audience included students and researchers from the Faculty of Medicine MU, the Faculty of Science MU and CEITEC. Among the attendees were, for example, Vice‑Dean for English‑Language Studies and Internationalisation Assoc. Prof. Lubomír Křivan, Head of the International Office Helena Melicharová, Assoc. Prof. Lucy Vojtová, Head of Clinic of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery Assoc. Prof. Libor Streit, and chemist Dr. Tomáš Fiala.
Prof. Alarcon highly appreciated the active engagement of the audience. “It was clear that the topic resonated deeply. There were numerous thought‑provoking questions,” summarized Dr. Sedláková. Prof. Alarcon and Dr. Tomáš Fiala then discussed potential collaboration between their laboratories in collagen and peptide synthesis.
Campus tour and mobility discussions
The second day focused primarily on presenting the two medical faculties and discussing student mobility. Professor Alarcon visited the Simulation Centre of Masaryk University, the Department of Anatomy and its museum, the university campus and CEITEC.
“Professor Alarcon was impressed by the Simulation Centre, which functions as a multi‑storey model hospital with complete facilities, including an ambulance. Such an extensive simulation environment is rarely encountered elsewhere,” noted Dr. Sedláková.
This was followed by presentations of both institutions. Professor Alarcon introduced the study programmes, student numbers and the structure of undergraduate and postgraduate training at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, including its unique Clinical Science and Translational Medicine programme. The International Office of the Faculty of Medicine MU, in turn, presented the structure of studies, international programmes and English‑language teaching at Masaryk University.
The discussion focused primarily on opportunities for student exchanges at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Discussions on Joint Projects
The visit culminated in a meeting with Vice‑Dean for Research, Doctoral Studies and Organisational Development Prof. Tomáš Kašpárek, Head of the Department of Histology and Embryology Prof. Aleš Hampl, Dr. Veronika Sedláková and Head of the Grant Office Ing. Jitka Blažková.
The main topic was the involvement of both faculties in joint research projects, particularly within Horizon Europe. The role of project support offices in preparing international grant proposals was also discussed, as well as opportunities for postgraduate student exchanges between Brno and Ottawa.
On the way back, Professor Alarcon also met Prof. Ondřej Slabý, Head of the Department of Biology FM MU, Director of the Center for Precision Medicine and the Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Laboratory at University Hospital Brno, and Chair of the Czech Health Research Council.
A scientist with global impact
Professor Alarcon is a prominent figure in regenerative medicine. He has built an internationally recognized research programme focused on cardiac and corneal tissue repair, injectable collagen and peptide‑based materials, and technologies for in situ biofabrication. He has published over 110 peer‑reviewed papers in leading journals such as ACS Nano, Advanced Functional Materials, Nature Communications and Science. His work has been cited more than six thousand times and has led to several patents and new translational platforms.
As a principal or co‑investigator, he has secured over 10 million dollars in research funding. His work has earned numerous awards, including the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award (2025), the Early Career Investigator Award (Canadian Biomaterials Society, 2024) and membership in the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars (2024).
An inspiring figure for students
According to the organizer of the visit, Professor Alarcon left a very positive personal impression. “He is not only an excellent scientist but also a very open and inspiring person who is deeply dedicated to students and actively engages in volunteer activities,” says Dr. Sedláková.
The beginning of a new collaboration
According to faculty representatives, the visit opened several concrete opportunities for cooperation. In addition to a planned joint Horizon Europe project, student exchanges between the two institutions are also being discussed.
“The benefits of this visit are both scientific and educational. Alongside joint research, we want to further develop student mobility and internationalisation at both faculties,” summarizes Dr. Sedláková.
The two‑day meeting may therefore be the first step towards a long‑term partnership between the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa.
