Biography:Branislav Hadzima

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Branislav Hadzima
Born1976
Levoča
Known forElected Rector of the University of Žilina, research on corrosion of magnesium alloys
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of Žilina
Academic work
DisciplineMaterials science, Mechanical engineering
InstitutionsUniversity of Žilina
Short description: Slovak materials scientist and academic administrator

Branislav Hadzima (born 1976 in Levoča, Slovakia) is a Slovak mechanical engineer, materials scientist, and university professor of materials engineering at the University of Žilina. His research focuses on corrosion science, surface engineering, and the electrochemical behavior of lightweight metallic materials.

In March 2026, he was elected Rector of the University of Žilina for the 2026–2030 term, with his tenure scheduled to begin on 3 July 2026.[1][2]

Early life and education

Branislav Hadzima was born in 1976 in Levoča, Slovakia. In 1994, he enrolled at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Žilina, where he specialized in materials engineering.[3][4]

He completed his engineering degree (Ing.) in 1999 and subsequently entered doctoral studies. His PhD research, completed in 2003,[3] focused on threshold states of materials and their role in fatigue and failure mechanisms. He later obtained his habilitation (Docent) in 2008[3] and was appointed full professor in materials engineering in 2017.[5][6]

Research

Hadzima's research is primarily situated in the field of corrosion science and materials engineering, with emphasis on electrochemical processes, surface treatments, and the durability of lightweight alloys such as magnesium and aluminum.[4]

A major part of Hadzima's research examines the relationship between microstructure and corrosion behavior in ultrafine-grained (UFG) materials produced by severe plastic deformation techniques such as Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP). His work demonstrated that grain refinement can both enhance and impair corrosion resistance depending on microstructural homogeneity and phase distribution.[7]

Hadzima has contributed to the development of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings for magnesium alloys. His research emphasizes the role of electrolyte chemistry in improving coating performance, including reduced porosity and enhanced corrosion resistance. He also investigated laser surface treatments as pre-processing techniques to improve coating adhesion and tribological performance.[8][9]

His research extends to biomedical applications, particularly biodegradable metals for orthopedic implants. He studied magnesium-based alloys and iron-based materials designed to degrade safely in physiological environments, contributing to the development of temporary implants that eliminate the need for surgical removal.[8][9][10]

Academic career and administration

Hadzima has spent his entire academic career at the University of Žilina, where he has held several academic and managerial positions.

In 2013, he co-founded the university's Research Centre (VC UNIZA),[11] a major infrastructure project funded by the European Regional Development Fund. He served as its founding director until 2021.[12] The center became a key hub for applied research, integrating disciplines such as materials science, transport systems, and renewable energy.

Hadzima has been actively involved in university governance. He served as Chairman of the Academic Senate of the University of Žilina for the 2023–2025 term. In this role, he oversaw legislative processes, budget approvals, and institutional strategy.[13][14]

Rector of the University of Žilina

On 30 March 2026, Hadzima was elected rector of the University of Žilina for the 2026–2030 term, succeeding Ján Čelko.[1][2]

His appointment followed a vote by the university's electoral assembly, composed of members of the Academic Senate and Board of Directors. His term is scheduled to begin on 3 July 2026, following formal appointment by the President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini.[1][2]

Professional affiliations

He has served as editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Communications – Scientific Letters of the University of Žilina.[15]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Výsledok volieb kandidáta na rektora UNIZA" (in sk). Žilinská univerzita v Žiline. https://www.uniza.sk/index.php/zamestnanci/vseobecne-informacie/oznamy/6337-vysledok-volieb-kandidata-na-rektora-uniza. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Akademický senát UNIZA zvolil za kandidáta na rektora Branislava Hadzimu". 2026-03-31. https://www.tasr.sk/tasr-clanok/TASR:2026033100000033. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "VR UNIZA 2022–2026 – Branislav Hadzima resume" (in sk). 2026. https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/graduacny-rast/2023/charakteristiky-clenov-VR-UNIZA/VR-UNIZA-2022-2026-Hadzima.pdf. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Branislav Hadzima – Official website (EN)" (in en). https://hadzima.sk/en. 
  5. ↑ "ZÁPIS zo zasadnutia inauguračnej komisie pre vymenúvacie konanie za profesora - Branislav Hadzima" (in sk). 2017-10-21. https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/habilitacie-a-inauguracie/inauguracia/Hadzima-SjF/Zapis-komisie-VR-UNIZA-21112017-Hadzima.pdf. 
  6. ↑ "ORCID - Branislav Hadzima" (in en). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8201-905X. 
  7. ↑ Hadzima, Branislav; Janeček, Miloš; Estrin, Yuri; Kim, Hyoung Seop (2007). "Microstructure and corrosion properties of ultrafine-grained interstitial free steel" (in en). Materials Science and Engineering: A 462 (1–2): 243–247. doi:10.1016/j.msea.2005.11.081. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921509306018879. Retrieved 2026-05-07. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Effect of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation on the Short-Term Corrosion Behaviour of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy in Aggressive Chloride Environment" (in en). https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/12/5/566. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Influence of Laser Ablation Treatment on Electrochemical Characteristics of AZ80 Magnesium Alloy" (in en). https://komunikacie.uniza.sk/artkey/csl-202503-0009_influence-of-laser-ablation-treatment-on-electrochemical-characteristics-of-az80-magnesium-alloy.php. 
  10. ↑ "Accelerated biodegradation and improved mechanical performance of pure iron through surface grain refinement" (in en). https://iris.cnr.it/retrieve/68b66d8a-c561-4077-b14e-6c5a992336de/prod_405485-doc_144225.pdf. 
  11. ↑ "Research Centre of the University of Žilina" (in en). https://vyskumnecentrum.sk/en/. 
  12. ↑ "Branislav Hadzima - Research Centre Uniza" (in sk). https://vyskumnecentrum.sk/en/o_nas/zoznam-zamestnancov/branislav-hadzima/. 
  13. ↑ "Výročná správa o činnosti AS UNIZA za rok 2023" (in sk). 2024-04-18. https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/uradna-tabula/vyrocna-sprava/VS-2023/Vyrocna-sprava-o-cinnosti-AS-UNIZA-za-rok-2023.pdf. 
  14. ↑ "Výročná správa o činnosti AS UNIZA za rok 2025" (in sk). 2026-04-13. https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/uradna-tabula/vyrocna-sprava/VS-2025/Vyrocna-sprava-o-cinnosti-AS-UNIZA-za-rok-2025.pdf. "prof. Ing. Branislav Hadzima, PhD., začiatok funkcie predsedu AS UNIZA: 22.5.2023, skončenie funkcie: 31.10.2025" 
  15. ↑ "Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Žilina" (in en). https://komunikacie.uniza.sk/. 



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