Prof. RNDr. Helena Illnerová, D.Sc. as the first appeared the world's dependency function of the biological clock in the brain of mammals in day length throughout the seasons. The department, which has led the Institute of Physiology CAS is now internationally recognized and significantly contributes to research the mechanism of synchronization of the biological clock with the external environment. The study of chronobiology, ie. the theory of time in the living organisms, got start at the Institute, but also in the whole country.

Prof. Illnerová was President of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (2001 - 2005), which introduced a program to support the young scientists. She is still active in the organization of science in the Czech Republic and internationally. She was awarded a number of domestic and foreign awards for her contribution to science. She always advocated passing the joy of understanding the wider community and encourage young people's interest in science. She appears in the media and she has lectures for the public.