Jovana Milic (member of the Swiss Young Academy and the Global Young Academy) is an exchange member of the Young Academy Finland for the 2026-2027 term.
I am a Professor of Materials Chemistry at the University of Turku, where I lead the Smart Energy Materials Group. My research focuses on developing bioinspired stimuli-responsive materials for smart and sustainable technologies, particularly solar energy conversion and brain-inspired (neuromorphic) computing. We combine chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering to design functional materials and devices that can adapt to their operating conditions.
I obtained my PhD in Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences at ETH Zurich in 2017 and subsequently worked as a postdoctoral scientist in the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces at EPFL in Switzerland. Before joining the University of Turku in 2024 as Associate Professor, I established an independent research group at the Adolphe Merkle Institute of the University of Fribourg as a Swiss National Science Foundation PRIMA Fellow (since 2020) and Assistant Professor (since 2021).
Beyond research and teaching, I am committed to fostering international scientific collaboration and strengthening the dialogue between science, policy, and society. As a member of the Swiss and Global Young Academies and the Young Academy of Europe, an International Science Council (ISC) Fellow, and a Board member of the Young Academies Science Advice Structure (YASAS), I actively engage in science advice and diplomacy, supporting emerging scientific leaders. As a guest member of Young Academy Finland, I look forward to connecting scientific communities, promoting interdisciplinary exchange, and strengthening the broad societal impact of science.