I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) in Tenerife, Spain, and at the Astronomical Institute of Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. My research focuses on symbiotic binaries and related interacting systems, combining photometric, spectroscopic, astrometric, and interferometric observations with modern data-driven approaches and machine-learning methodologies to identify and characterize these rare objects. I am particularly interested in their population properties in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies, stellar variability, and the discovery of new symbiotic stars using large astronomical surveys such as Gaia, TESS, or others.
One of my projects that I value the most is the creation and maintenance of the New Online Database of Symbiotic Variables (NODSV). The database provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date catalogue of symbiotic stars currently available, bringing together orbital, stellar, photometric, spectroscopic, and other observational parameters collected from the literature into a single, continuously updated resource for the community. You can find more information in the Research section of this website.
Before joining the IAC, I was a postdoctoral intern at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Garching near Munich, Germany. I obtained my PhD through the cotutelle de thèse joint-degree programme between Charles University in Prague and Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia. Since Košice is also my hometown, where I completed both my bachelor's and master's degrees, the cotutelle programme held a special significance for me by allowing me to strengthen my ties with both institutions while broadening my scientific experience in an international environment.
Alongside my research, I have a strong interest in science communication and public outreach. Over the years, I have organized numerous public lectures, observing nights, and educational events for audiences of all ages. For several years, I hosted a weekly online astronomy podcast and a weekly radio programme in Slovak, discussing recent astronomical discoveries, current events, and interesting phenomena visible in the night sky. I have also contributed to a variety of television and radio programmes and continue to actively promote astronomy to the general public. More information about these activities can be found in the Outreach section.
Beyond astronomy, I am a devoted husband and father. I enjoy travelling, exploring new places, and spending time hiking in the mountains. I am also a lifelong admirer of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth and Terry Pratchett's Discworld, whose richly imagined worlds continue to inspire my imagination.