Assoc. Prof. Polonca Serrano, an expert in pedagogy, didactics, and competence development in higher education, successfully completed a three-month secondment at the innovative neurotechnology company BrainTrip in Ljubljana between June 1 and August 31, 2025.
With her interdisciplinary knowledge, she excellently integrated into the company's research and development environment and focused on three key content areas:
- System, measurements, and research – she learned about the operation of the BrainTrip cognitive assessment system, participated in demonstrations, familiarized herself with the clinical validation process, and the regulatory framework compliant with GDPR and medical standards.
- Partnerships and broader social impact – she delved into BrainTrip's collaboration with the Pomni Institute and the ways the company presents its results at scientific and professional conferences, while also strengthening awareness of the social impact of technology.
- Strategic vision and product development – she actively participated in discussions about the company's long-term development, learned about the neuroscientific foundations of the technology, and the process of transferring scientific knowledge into practical products.
"The contribution of the secondment exceeded expectations. I gained insight into the entire process – from the initial idea in the academic environment to the establishment of the company. BrainTrip is an example of good practice on how to successfully transfer academic knowledge into entrepreneurship, which is often a big challenge for researchers," says Dr. Polonca Serrano.
As an added value of the collaboration, she also highlighted opportunities for future connections between the company and Alma Mater Europaea University, especially in the fields of social gerontology, nursing, and physiotherapy, where awareness and assistance in early diagnosis of dementia are of exceptional importance.
