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By decision of the President of the Republic of Poland dated July 23, 2025, Małgorzata Wronkowska, was awarded the title of Professor of Agricultural Sciences in the discipline of Food Technology and Nutrition. She is affiliated with the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences and works in the Department of Food Chemistry and Biodynamics.

In January 2026, Prof. Małgorzata Wronkowska, took part in the ceremonial presentation of professorial nominations held at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw. The ceremony took place on January 7, and the acts of nomination were presented by the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, to representatives of the academic community from across the country. During the event, the role of science and the academic community in the development of the state was emphasized. Professor Wronkowska joined the group of scholars who received this highest academic distinction in Poland.

– The world of science, Polish professors and researcher, plays a crucial role in ensuring that Poland develops towards prosperity, awareness, and the progress we all hope for in the 21st century. My warmest congratulations and sincere thanks – the President emphasized during the ceremony.

Professor Wronkowska is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in the study of the physical, chemical, and functional properties of plant-based products. Her research also includes the physiological effects of these products on the human body.

Her scientific work focuses on plant biopolymers, with particular emphasis on resistant starch – a specific fraction of starch with significant physiological importance. Like dietary fiber, this type of starch undergoes fermentation in the large intestine, helping to restore the balance of gut microbiota, which has a beneficial effect on human health.

Professor Wronkowska also conducts research in the area of both gluten-free and conventional baking. In her work, she uses cereals, pseudocereals, and selected by-products of the food industry. These are an important source of bioactive compounds that play a significant role in dietetics, prevention, and nutrition.

Another area of her research interests involves the multifunctional properties of baked goods and the biologically active compounds they contain. Many of her studies focus on the biological activity of these products and compounds in the prevention of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetic complications, and inflammatory conditions.

Professor Wronkowska has repeatedly enhanced her expertise through research internships in Poland and abroad, including in Finland, the Netherlands, and Spain. She is a co-author of fou patents related to the production or processing of baked goods.

She is a recipient of several scientific awards, including the “Pro Scientia et Vita” award from the Foundation of Members of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Scientific Award granted by the Marshal of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. She actively participates in both national and international research projects.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations and wish her continued scientific success!

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Workshops in modern laboratories, demonstrations and experiments, and science that could be seen and experienced firsthand. Instead of dry theory – inspiring meetings and direct contact with scientists. This was the “Scientist’s Compass” project, implemented by the Institute in cooperation with the Educational Association “Erudycja” between October and December 2025. More than 1,300 students from the Warmia and Mazury region took part in the project.

As part of the project, scientists conducted workshops and educational sessions in the laboratories of the InLife Institute, in schools across the Warmia–Mazury Voivodeship, as well as at the Research Station in Popielno. These were exceptional biology, chemistry and nature science lessons – full of experiments, questions and discoveries. Even the youngest participants took part in hands-on activities!

The project involved over 1,300 students from 27 schools in the region, ranging from preschool children to upper secondary school students. A total of 50 Institute scientists were engaged in delivering the project activities.

The project consisted of six educational components:

1. Scientists with Passion – Pass it on

Scientists visited schools across the region to talk about their research work, share their experience and present possible scientific career paths. They also showcased their scientific achievements.

2. Academy of Big Questions for Young Minds

The youngest participants – preschoolers and students in grades 1–3 – visited the Institute’s laboratories, where through experiments, workshops and demonstrations they asked their first scientific questions and discovered the world of science in an accessible and engaging way.

3. Experiment, School!

These were outreach workshops delivered in primary schools throughout the region. The workshops and demonstrations focused on healthy nutrition, food safety and informed consumer choices.

4. Career Days

Held at the Research Station in Popielno, these activities gave upper secondary school students the opportunity to learn about the daily work of scientists and explore diverse research areas, including animal breeding, food science and environmental protection.

5. Science First-Hand

These workshops took place in the Institute’s modern laboratories. Students learned selected research methods and carried out their first professional experiments under the supervision of scientists.

6. „Student Research Project„ Competition

Upper secondary school students developed their own research projects under the guidance of mentors. Th competition concluded with a presentation of results during Researcher’s Day. Prizes included financial and material awards, as well as two mini-internships at the Institute.

The project was funded by the Ministry of Education.

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The human body functions in close connection with daily circadian and seasonal rhythms. Health and well-being are influenced by many biological and environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight, sleep, physical activity, diet, and the gut microbiome. How natural cycles shape the functioning of the human body was the focus of the educational meeting „In the Rhythm of the Sun and the Seasons. Cycles That Govern Our Body”.

This was the fifth meeting organized as part of the ERA Chairs WELCOME2 project. The event took place on Saturday, December 13, at the InLife Institute and gathered more than 60 participants. The speakers included researchers from the InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, as well as a guest expert from the University of Warmia and Mazury.

The circadian rhythm as the key to health

At the very beginning of the meeting, dr Aleksandra Szczepkowska from the Physiology and Toxicology Team emphasized that every cell in our body has its own timekeeping mechanism. In a professional yet accessible way, she explained how being influenced by the day–night cycle and changing seasons affects the functioning of the human body, well-being, and energy levels. The lecture clearly showed that disruptions to the circadian rhythm-such as shift work, excessive artificial light, or irregular sleep-have real physiological consequences.

The sunny vitamin – D3

Dr Julia Jarosławska-Miszkiewicz from the Nutrigenomics Team spoke about how vitamin D affects our immunity, well-being, and sleep rhythm. Participants learned how the lack of light in winter influences brain function and the immune system. The researcher emphasized that vitamin D, commonly known as a dietary supplement or medication, is first and foremost a hormone. It acts as a guardian of our immunity, and the most powerful factor influencing its level is sunlight.

The clock and gut function

The next lecture shifted attention to the gut. Dr Anna Ogrodowczyk from the Food Immunology and Microbiology Team explained that the microbiome also “lives by the clock.” The composition and activity of gut bacteria change throughout the day and across seasons, responding to what we eat, when we eat, and how we live. She highlighted the importance of a seasonal diet for the microbiome and discussed the consequences of improper nutrition, which may lead to a reduction in the natural cyclical diversity of the microbiome-an important foundation of our immunity.

The clock and physical activity

An expert from the Collegium Medicum of the University of Warmia and Mazury, dr hab. Michał Boraczyński, professor at UWM, talked about how physical activity influences the regulation of sleep and wakefulness rhythms. Participants learned when to engage in intense exercise and when to choose calmer activities that support recovery. He also discussed chrono-exercise, a new field of research that takes into account the timing of physical activity.

– Knowledge builds resistance to disinformation and manipulation, which is why during educational meetings we offer a high-quality dose of reliable information. Direct contact with scientists helps build trust in credible scientific sources – emphasized Iwona Kieda, the event coordinator.

During breaks, participants were able to take part in a tasting of fermented foods. Healthy products were provided by Łukasz Świątkowski from a family-owned company in Kisiny, which has specialized in the natural production of fermented foods for many years.

Thank you for your participation, engagement, and interest. See you at the next educational meetings!

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