The latest in our series of blogs featuring the various stars of the Mendeley team talks to its HR and Operations Manager Zuzana Borozova. Everybody here at Mendeley calls her Zuz, but lately the nickname Babushka seems to have stuck. So we ask her about what it’s like working at Mendeley and some of her favourite things…

How long have you been with Mendeley for?
2 years, 3 months

Where did you work before coming to Mendeley?
I was an Intern in the Slovakian Parliament (National Chancellery) while finishing my Masters, then I decided to move to London and worked in all sort of places and roles. My last one before Mendeley was as Office Manager and HR admin at a Software company (Retail) where I got involved in HR thanks to my previous manager.

What made you apply for a job at Mendeley?
No dress code and free beers on Fridays!! Haha it was more the huge task list of the role I applied for (Office Manager and HR Admin) that I was presented with at the interview (I love to be busy).

When you started working here, were things like you expected? How?
I actually had no idea what to expect. I came from a corporate company where relationships with managers were so different from what it’s like at Mendeley. I was actually very nicely surprised by the friendly, lovely attitude of our founders, management and co-workers. Everyone is really cool and good fun to work with!

Have things changed in Mendeley since you started working here?
Oh yes, we have grown so much!! When I started it was just about 30 people, now we’re 53, unbelievable. But it’s more fun, I love it!

What’s the best thing about coming to work at Mendeley?
The jokes in the kitchen in the mornings when we’re making our breakfast and coffees/teas. And the whole atmosphere, it’s great fun

Do you have any pets?
I have a dog (black Labrador called Pluto) back at home in Slovakia, I would love to have one here in London (big breed like a Rotweiller, Ridgeback, or Mastiff) but with my crazy lifestyle the poor dog would be very lonely…

Who would be invited to your perfect dinner party?
Marilyn Manson, Ozzy Osbourne, and my parents (great fun people) and all my Czecho-Slovakian friends – if it’s a party then let’s have a crazy one!

If you could acquire one extra skill or talent, what would that be?
Singing

What book are you reading at the moment and why?
Employment law, because I have just started my CIPD. Believe it or not it’s very interesting!

What was the first record you ever bought?
Hmmm I listened to all sort of crap when I was little (Backstreet Boys- no offense) but if I am thinking about the first record I bought with my own money, it would be Marilyn Manson (Mechanical Animals, great great album)

Favourite hobby?
My number one hobby is Boxing ( I spend most of my time in the boxing gym) and cooking. According to my boyfriend who is a Chef, I am pretty good at cooking.

Favourite food/drink?
Food: pork belly with crackling or halushky (Slovakian traditional dish, a bit like gnocchi with sheep’s cheese and crispy bacon) and drink obviously Czech Pilsner (I also cannot live without coffee)

Your greatest vice?
Using f words a lot…trying to get rid of this

Favourite place in the world?
At the moment it’s the gym (lol), the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to was so far Lomnicky stit (one of the highest peaks in Slovakia- High Tatras, the view is gorgeous!)

Now for a serious one worthy of the Mendeley vision: If you could give unlimited funding and resources to one area of research, what would it be and why?
Cancer research, my best friend’s mum died of a cancer and she had to watch her dying in terrible pain, no one should see their relatives and loved ones suffering.