Forthem Researcher Grand Prix 2025

About FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix

The FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix is an international scientific competition designed to showcase the talents of tomorrow. Inspired by popular science formats such as Ma thèse en 180 secondes and Norway’s Forskningsdagene, the event invites doctoral students from the nine partner universities of the FORTHEM alliance to present their research in just a few minutes. Using clear, accessible, and captivating language, participants transform complex ideas into engaging stories—bringing science closer to society and highlighting the vital connection between research, citizenship, and European cooperation.

 

More than a presentation challenge, the Grand Prix is a unique springboard for early-career researchers. It helps them refine their science communication skills, gain visibility across Europe, and connect with a vibrant, interdisciplinary academic network.

Adrian Armean

 

 

 

Hello! My name is Adrian Armean, and my passion for financial investments led me to pursue a PhD in Economics at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu. At the age of 25, I had the opportunity to develop my teaching skills as a university assistant, where I conduct seminars in both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, followed by a Master’s in Business Management. I am currently passionate about the English language, geopolitics, and psychology—fields that contribute to my personal, academic, and professional development.

Georgian Chivu

 

 

 

 

I am a second year PhD student at the Doctoral School of Mathematics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, with a strong interest in the interaction between mathematics and programming.

My research explores the connections between the theoretical foundations of mathematical analysis and their practical implementation through computational tools.

 

The focus of my thesis is on the study of rates of convergence, with relevant applications in the theory of sampling operators, a field that combines mathematical rigor with algorithmic applicability.

Mihai Ilina

 

 

My research lies at the intersection of numerical analysis, operator theory, and biomedical applications. I focus on the optimization of linear operators for approximation, with a particular emphasis on multidimensional operators used in complex systems. A central aspect of my work involves developing efficient computational methods to detect and analyze calcium deposits in the aorta artery, contributing to early diagnosis and medical imaging advancements. Alongside theory, I integrate parallel computing and algorithmic optimization to handle large-scale data and improve accuracy. This combination of mathematics, computation, and application defines my research vision and ongoing PhD work.

Alin Pepenar

 

 

My name is Alin Pepenar, I am 30 years old, and I am a PhD student at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu in the field of Mathematics. My research focuses on the theory of discrete and integral operators, with applications in medical image processing. The study aims to analyze the properties of these operators and their use in noise reduction, contrast enhancement, and edge detection techniques. My contribution seeks to advance both the theoretical foundation and the practical implementation in software applications for medical imaging using artificial intelligence. In parallel, I teach the Python programming language to students at the Faculty of Sciences. Outside of academia, I enjoy exploring nature and hiking in the mountains.

Tudor Urea



A PhD candidate at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Tudor Urea is currently a history teacher at the “Roth-Oberth” Theoretical High School in Mediaș. He graduated from both the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of History and Protestant Theology, and the Faculty of Law at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu. He furthered his academic training with two Master’s programs in History, at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu and at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. He has benefited from Erasmus study scholarships at universities in Poland, Hungary, and Portugal. He has participated in national and international conferences in his field and has published articles and historical studies in specialized journals.

Local Semifinal – Sibiu, 3 October 2025

In preparation for the Grand Prix in Dijon, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu will host a local semifinal on Friday, 3 October 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Performance Hall of the Faculty of Letters and Arts (Banatului street, 12). This event will bring together doctoral candidates from the university who wish to compete for a place in the international final.

During this exciting preliminary round, participants will present their research projects in the same concise and engaging format as the Grand Prix. The selection of finalists will be based equally on the jury’s evaluation (50%) and the audience’s vote (50%), ensuring that both scientific quality and public appeal are recognised.

The jury will consist of three members representing different perspectives on science communication: a researcher, a journalist, and an actor. Together with the audience, they will choose the candidate who will represent Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu at the European competition in November.

The semifinal will be open to the academic community, offering students, academics, researchers and staff the opportunity to discover the diversity of doctoral research taking place within the university and to support the candidates as they share their passion for science.

FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix 2025 - Dijon, 6 November 2025

Université Bourgogne Europe will host the second edition of the FORTHEM Grand Prix for researchers in Dijon, on November 6, 2025. The university will welcome doctoral students from across the alliance for an afternoon of live presentations open to students, staff, researchers, and curious citizens.

Participants will discover innovative research projects from across Europe and watch the competition between the next generation of scientists for the Researcher Grand Prix title. The event will also be broadcast live on FORTHEM’s YouTube channel so that audiences everywhere can participate in this exciting moment.

Retrospective - FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix 2024