Assoc. Prof. Dr. Martina Laubertova | Hydrometallurgy | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor, Technical University of Košice, Slovakia

Martina Laubertová is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Košice, Slovakia, specializing in Environmental Engineering. She holds a PhD in Metallurgy with a focus on Non-Ferrous Metals and Waste Treatment. Martina’s academic journey began with a Master’s degree in Metallurgy, followed by a successful postdoctoral research period. She was habilitated in 2020 and has since led groundbreaking research in sustainable metal recovery and waste treatment. Martina is an advocate for environmental engineering and has contributed significantly to the fields of recycling technologies and hydrometallurgical processing. Additionally, she has been involved in numerous international projects and Erasmus exchanges, sharing her expertise globally. Martina’s commitment to education is exemplified by her pedagogical qualifications, including the prestigious ING-PAED IGIP certificate in Higher Education Pedagogy. She has also authored many scientific articles and conference papers on materials recycling and sustainable metallurgy.

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Strengths for the Award

1. Extensive Experience in Environmental Engineering: Martina Laubertová is an accomplished academic with a strong background in Environmental Engineering, particularly in the field of metallurgy and recycling technologies. Her current role as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Recycling Technologies at the Technical University of Košice highlights her leadership in research and education.
2. Significant Research Contributions: Laubertová has authored numerous articles in reputable journals, with recent publications focusing on sustainable metallurgical processes, hydrometallurgical treatment, and waste recycling. Her work on copper, zinc, lead recovery, and the treatment of industrial waste is highly relevant to global sustainability challenges. Her research papers, such as “Thermodynamic Study of the Sustainable Hydrometallurgical Treatment of Copper Converter Flue Dust” and studies on the recycling of electronic waste, underscore her significant contribution to environmental engineering.
3. Expertise in Hydrometallurgical Processes: She has a strong focus on sustainable materials processing, notably in hydrometallurgical methods for recovering valuable metals from industrial byproducts. This aligns with global efforts in resource conservation and circular economy practices.
4. International Collaboration and Mobility: Laubertová’s involvement in international teaching and research mobility through Erasmus programs, including collaborations with universities in the Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, Finland, and Italy, shows her commitment to fostering global academic partnerships. Her participation in EU-funded events, such as Horizon Europe, further enhances her international visibility.
5. Leadership in Professional Development: Beyond her research, Laubertová is committed to professional development, evidenced by her certifications in higher education pedagogy and quality management. She actively contributes to the academic community through training and mentorship, both locally and internationally.
6. Recognition and Impact: Her scholarly work, backed by a high number of citations and the diversity of her publications, speaks to the impact of her research. She has contributed significantly to advancing metallurgical practices, focusing on the recovery of metals from waste materials, an area of increasing importance for sustainability.

Areas for Improvement

1. Broader Public Engagement: While Laubertová’s research has a significant impact within the academic and industrial sectors, expanding her outreach to public audiences could further amplify the relevance and applicability of her work. Increased visibility in public forums or policy discussions would enhance the broader impact of her research, especially in the context of environmental awareness.
2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Although Laubertová is highly skilled in her niche of environmental engineering, expanding her collaborations with other fields, such as biotechnology or environmental policy, could provide new avenues for research and innovations in sustainable practices. This could further enrich her work in recycling technologies and metallurgical waste processing.
3. Increased Funding and Large-Scale Projects: While Laubertová has been involved in several supported grants, pursuing larger, cross-institutional, or EU-level research projects could help her influence the field on a wider scale, driving more significant change in environmental engineering and waste management practices.

Education

Martina Laubertová completed her Master’s degree in Metallurgy at the Technical University of Košice (1994-2000), specializing in Non-Ferrous Metals and Waste Treatment. She then pursued her PhD in Metallurgy (2001-2009), focusing on the treatment of non-ferrous metal wastes, further developing her expertise in materials recycling. In 2020, she achieved the position of Associate Professor (Habilitation) in Environmental Engineering at the same university. Martina also holds a range of certifications, such as the International ING-PAED IGIP in Higher Education Pedagogy (2011-2012), and completed specialized courses on working with chemical agents and quality management. Her educational background is complemented by continuous professional development, including attending international workshops and courses related to sampling, recycling, and metal recovery. This academic foundation has shaped her as a leader in sustainable engineering practices, particularly in the fields of hydrometallurgy and environmental engineering.

Experience

Martina Laubertová has a robust academic career, currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Košice (since 2021). She has been with the Institute of Recycling Technologies since 2003, transitioning from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. Her primary focus is Environmental Engineering, with an emphasis on sustainable metal recycling and waste treatment technologies. Martina has also held a postdoctoral position (2001-2003) at the same institution, where she conducted research on metallurgy. Throughout her career, she has been involved in various projects, including the national initiative “Universities as Engines of Knowledge Society.” In addition, she has contributed significantly to international collaborations, offering her expertise as a lecturer and researcher in several European universities under the Erasmus program. Martina’s diverse teaching experience includes courses on recycling, hydrometallurgical treatment, and waste management, strengthening her global academic presence in engineering education.

Awards and Honors

Martina Laubertová has earned several prestigious awards and honors throughout her career. She was awarded the ING-PAED IGIP International Certificate in Higher Education Pedagogy, recognizing her excellence in teaching. Martina has also received various travel grants and funding for her contributions to environmental engineering and metallurgy, such as the Horizon Europe Brokerage Event (2023) in Brussels and Erasmus teaching mobility grants from universities in the Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, and Finland. These awards acknowledge her commitment to academic collaboration and international outreach. Furthermore, she has been recognized for her role in the national project “Universities as Engines of Knowledge Society,” contributing to the development of higher education and research. Martina’s continuous involvement in scientific research, education, and international partnerships further solidifies her reputation as a leading expert in sustainable engineering practices and recycling technologies.

Research Focus

Martina Laubertová’s research is focused on sustainable practices in environmental engineering, specifically within the domains of recycling, hydrometallurgy, and metal recovery. Her work primarily deals with the treatment of metal-bearing waste, such as flue dust, electronic waste, and other industrial by-products. She explores novel methods for recovering valuable metals, such as copper, lead, and zinc, from waste streams using environmentally friendly processes. Her research also delves into the thermodynamic aspects of hydrometallurgical treatments and the development of efficient techniques for waste-to-resource transformation. Martina is dedicated to reducing environmental burdens through innovative recycling technologies and sustainable metallurgy. She has published extensively on topics like the recycling of electronic waste, the recovery of lead from copper dust, and the treatment of galvanizing flue dust residues. Through her work, Martina aims to promote a circular economy by advancing technologies that help mitigate the environmental impact of industrial waste.

Publication Top Notes

• Thermodynamic Study of the Sustainable Hydrometallurgical Treatment of Copper Converter Flue Dust 🌿🔬
  Alexandra Kollová, Martina Laubertová, Jarmila Trpčevská, Martin Sisol
• Study of Hydrometallurgical Treatment of Metal-Bearing Material from Environmental Burdens ⚒️💨
  Martina Laubertová, Oksana Velgosova, Martin Sisol, Tomáš Vindt
• Experimental Study of a Representative Sample to Determine the Chemical Composition of Cast Iron 🛠️📊
  Martina Laubertová, Silvia Ruzickova, Jarmila Trpcevska, Jaroslav Briancin
• Extraction of Lead from Hydrometallurgical Processing of Copper Shaft Flue Dust 🔋💡
  Michaela Ruzickova, Martina Laubertová, Jarmila Trpcevska, Alexandra Kollova, Zita Takacova, Tomas Vindt
• Obtaining Usable Products by Processing Converter Flue Dust from Copper Production ♻️💎
  Alexandra Kollova, Martina Laubertová, Jarmila Trpcevska, Michaela Ruzickova, Katarina Pauerova
• Utilization of Galvanizing Flue Dust Residue: A Sustainable Approach towards Complete Material Recycling 🌍🔄
  Jana Pirošková, Jakub Klimko, Silvia Ružičková, Martina Laubertová, Vladimír Marcinov, Erika Múdra, Marek Vojtko, Dušan Oráč
• Characterization of Galvanizing Flue Dust and Recycling Possibilities 🔬🔧
  Jana Pirošková, Jakub Klimko, Jarmila Trpčevská, Martina Laubertová, Beatrice Plešingerová, Pavol Liptai, Tomáš Vindt, Dušan Oráč
• Hydrometallurgical Treatment of Converter Dust from Secondary Copper Production 🏭💧
  Martina Laubertová, Alexandra Kollová, Jarmila Trpčevská, Beatrice Plešingerová, Jaroslav Briančin
• Characterization of Dusts from Secondary Copper Production ♻️💨
  Orac, D.; Laubertova, M.; Piroskova, J.; Klein, D.; Bures, R.; Klimko, J.
• Evaluation of US EPA Method 3052 Microwave Acid Digestion for Quantification of Majority Metals in Waste Printed Circuit Boards 🔬📱
  Remeteiová, D.; Ružičková, S.; Mičková, V.; Laubertová, M.; Slezáková, R.
• The Effects of Microwave-Assisted Leaching on the Treatment of Electric Arc Furnace Dusts (EAFD) ♻️⚡
  Laubertova, M.; Havlik, T.; Parilak, L.; Derin, B.; Trpcevska, J.
• Assessment of Sampling and Chemical Analysis of Waste Printed Circuit Boards from WEEE 🧪♻️
  Laubertova, M.; Malindzakova, M.; Trpcevska, J.; Gajić, N.
• Metals Recovery: Study of the Kinetic Aspects of Copper Acidic Leaching Waste Printed Circuit Boards from Discarded Mobile Phones 📱🔧
  Laubertová, M.; Derin, B.; Trpčevská, J.; Šándorová, K.; Sminčáková, E.
• Hydrometallurgical Treatment of Copper Shaft Furnace Dust for Lead Recovery 🔄🔋
  Pirošková, J.; Laubertová, M.; Miškufová, A.; Oráč, D.
• Leaching of Zinc Ash with Hydrochloric Acid Solutions ⚙️🌱
  Trpcevska, J.; Rudnik, E.; Holkova, B.; Laubertova, M.

Conclusion

Martina Laubertová is a highly qualified and accomplished researcher whose work significantly contributes to environmental engineering, especially in the fields of metallurgical recycling and sustainable waste treatment. Her expertise, extensive publications, international collaborations, and dedication to professional development position her as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Further engagement with interdisciplinary research and public outreach could enhance the broader impact of her pioneering work in the field.