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Dr. Radosław Kowalski with prestigious CINEA support
The leader of the Aquatic Organism Reproductive Biotechnology Team received technical assistance for his project thanks to a call for proposals announced by the European Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Executive Agency (CINEA). As part of this prestigious programme, in July Dr. Radosław Kowalski hosted at the Institute’s headquarters experts whose support will contribute to strengthening efforts to achieve the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters.
Technical assistance (Cycle 2 – Technical Assistance to support communities of actors to achieve the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters objectives) aims to support selected applicants in developing, facilitating, and strengthening actions that contribute to one or more of the objectives of the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters. The program includes technical assistance and feasibility studies.
“The technical assistance is an exclusive, impact-driven, coaching programme for selected signatories of the EU Mission Ocean and Waters Charter, which consists of expert support to analyse and improve each project. The technical assistance shall be tailored to each project’s maturity and objectives and support the achievement of the selected targets of the Mission.” – as we read in the Call for Expression of Interest.
As part of the assistance provided, in July this year, Dr. Radosław Kowalski hosted two experts: Tim Huntington, Poseidon Director, a sustainable aquaculture expert, and Małgorzata Smolak, Technopolis, a lawyer specializing in environmental and energy law. The assistance provided so far in the development of a project aimed at protecting the aquatic ecosystem will beconcluded with the preparation of a feasibility study.
Following the Call: “The feasibility studies shall provide an assessment of the overall viability of projects, defining risks, opportunities, and probability of success and analysing whether the planned projects are legally, technically, financially, economically, operationally, environmentally, and commercially justifiable and feasible. The studies shall also provide recommendations on how to improve the feasibility of selected actions.”
IN RESPONSE TO THE DEGRADATION OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
The evaluated project focuses on the protection and monitoring of salmonid biodiversity in Central and Eastern Europe – from the Baltic Sea basin to the Adriatic Sea – with particular emphasis on the endangered species of Danube salmon (Hucho hucho). This species, like other salmonids (e.g., Atlantic salmon, sea trout, and brown trout), is highly sensitive to the effects of climate change and habitat degradation, leading to its withdrawal from natural river environments.
The project involves international cooperation between research centers, water management institutions, non-governmental organizations, and representatives of local communities from various countries in the region.
The planned actions include:
- developing and implementing new methods for monitoring the presence and condition of salmonid populations, including the use of eDNA analysis;
- developing cross-border mechanisms for the protection and renaturation of river habitats;
- initiating active conservation programs, such as the restoration of endangered populations, the creation of “living gene banks,” and the improvement of watershed management practices;
- creating a platform for the exchange of knowledge and good practices, which will enable more effective coordination of activities on a transnational scale.
The aim of the project is not only to counteract the decline in biodiversity, but also to contribute to the restoration of functional, climate-resilient river ecosystems, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the European Green Deal.
Competition for the position Specialist / Senior Specialist in the Research Team
Competition for the position:
Specialist / Senior Specialist in the Research Team entitled „Personalized diagnostics of vascular endothelium in oncological therapy; towards modern vasculo-oncology” (acronym: ADEVASCO) financed by the Polish Science Fund.
Place of work:
Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn,
street Trylińskiego 18,
Bioelectroanalytics Team.
Scope of tasks:
conducting research related to the development of an electrochemical aptasensor for detecting biomarkers of vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by anticancer treatment.
Role in the Team:
The person employed in this position will assume the role of a Technical support/PhD Student as described in the project proposal. The role of the Employee will involve responsibility for specific stages of the research work, coordination of certain experiments, and supporting the methodology.
Requirements for candidate qualifications and experience:
- master’s degree in chemical sciences,
- knowledge of biomolecular chemistry,
- ability to use electrochemical methods,
- good knowledge of English, spoken and written,
- ability to prepare reports and present the results of scientific work,
- motivation for scientific work,
- communication skills and very good work organization,
- ability to work independently and in a team.
Type of contract, period, scope of commitment, financial conditions:
- Employment contract, full time,
- Employment for 52 months,
- Salary PLN 9,000 – PLN 10,500 gross (depending on experience),
- Position opening date: August 2025.
Working conditions:
- undertaking education at the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School,
- work on working days, with the possibility of task-based work in the case of specific experiments, also at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow,
- The candidate will be required to comply with the non-competition rules in accordance with the WIB program guidelines.
Required documents:
- copy of higher education diploma,
- CV,
- cover letter,
- references (if the candidate has any).
Application method:
- Entries for the competition should be sent to the following email address: i.grabowska@pan.olsztyn.pl,
- Deadline for submitting documents: August 6, 2025,
- Estimated recruitment result date: August 8, 2025.
After initial analysis of the submitted applications, we will contact selected candidates to conduct further stages of the recruitment process.
The Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn complies with the provisions of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (OTMR).
Any person who feels aggrieved due to the manner in which recruitment and competitive selection were conducted should first file a complaint in writing to the Head of the HR and Payroll Department within 2 weeks of the announcement of the completion of the recruitment process. E-mail address: j.papurzynska@pan.olsztyn.pl;
The complaint should specify the name of the position for which the competition was held, as well as a detailed description of the stage of the recruitment process in relation to which the comments are presented. The complainant should clearly present his position and justify it.
In your CV, please include a clause of consent to our processing of personal data in the recruitment process:
„I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents by the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn with its registered office 10-683 Olsztyn, ul. Trylińskiego 18, in order to carry out the recruitment process and publish the full competition results on the Institute’s website.
Information clause:
- The administrator of personal data processed as part of the recruitment process is the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn with its registered office at 10-683 Olsztyn, ul. Trylińskiego 18, tel. 89 500 32 00, e-mail: institute@pan.olsztyn.pl .
- Contact with the personal data protection officer is possible at: iodo@pan.olsztyn.pl.
- The provided personal data will be processed for the purpose of implementing the current recruitment process and stored until its completion based on the consent given (in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR).
- The data subject has the right to withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
- The data subject has the right to access his or her personal data, request its rectification or deletion. Submitting a request to delete data is tantamount to resigning from participation in the recruitment process. In addition, she has the right to request restriction of processing in the cases specified in Art. 18 GDPR.
- The data subject has the right to lodge a complaint with the President of the Personal Data Protection Office regarding unlawful processing of his or her personal data. This body will be competent to consider the complaint, however, the right to lodge a complaint only concerns the lawfulness of the processing of personal data and does not concern the recruitment process.
- The data provided will not be subject to profiling or made available to entities or third countries. The recipients of the data may be institutions authorized by law.
- Providing the data contained in the recruitment documents is not obligatory, but it is a necessary condition for participating in the recruitment process.
Food today and in the future – challenges for consumers
In recent years, the quality and safety of food has become a hot topic of debate, particularly in the context of importing products from outside the European Union. Farmers and politicians have expressed concerns about the health quality of imported food products. What solutions can protect us from potential dangers? What challenges do consumers face in the context of growing changes in the global food market?
Author: Dr. Adam Jurgoński, Head of the Biological Function of Food Team
Food surveillance
The quality and safety of food in Poland is monitored by a number of government administrative bodies, including the State Sanitary Inspectorate, the Veterinary Inspectorate and the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection. It is mainly they who supervise both domestic and imported food products, including those from outside the European Union. At EU level, meanwhile, there is the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which analyses available scientific data and assesses food-related risks, including the presence of foreign chemicals. The European Union also has the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), which allows information to be rapidly communicated and action to be taken to withdraw products that may pose a health risk from the EU market.
With an organised system of supervision and control, consumers can count on food safety at an appropriate level. However, the subject of food imports from outside the EU, especially in the context of trade agreements such as EU-Mercosur, can raise concerns in some quarters about differences in production methods and, consequently, in the quality of imported foodstuffs.
Food accessibility – local and global situation
The problem of ensuring adequate food supply around the world is not so clear-cut. Indeed, in Europe and North America, there is generally an excess of food, which leads to health problems related to obesity and diet-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Excess food also results in food waste – a growing social problem that is being tackled through a variety of initiatives, including information campaigns, optimising supply chains or creating so-called food banks. However, in regions of the world affected by conflict or poverty, such as some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, food scarcity and even periodic famines are still a real problem.
New sources of protein – insects and artificial meat on the plate?
Contemporary trends related to environmental protection and changing consumer preferences are leading to a search for alternative sources of protein. Although controversial, the topic of using insects in food production is becoming increasingly popular in this context. It has been postulated that insects can provide a valuable alternative to traditional protein sources.
However, it is not just about meeting protein requirements. This phenomenon must also be seen in the context of a changing approach to livestock farming, which, as a result of its intensification, is perceived by a growing number of people as controversial. Among other reasons, this is why some people opt for diets based on plant-based foods, which, if well balanced, can be nutritionally sufficient for adults who are not over-exercising. However, in extreme cases, they can unfortunately lead to severe malnutrition, especially in children. This raises the issue of the incomplete value of plant-based protein and alternative sources of protein, such as artificial meat, the pilot production of which is already underway in some countries.
The future of food – the right to information and choice
Consumers have the right to reliable information and a free choice of food products on the market. Whether we are talking about insects, artificial meat or imported foods, the final decision as to which is better should therefore rest with the well-informed and educated consumer. There are many indications that interest in insects as a source of protein will not be widespread due to their exoticism as a food ingredient in our cultural circle. Instead, price competitiveness and taste will play a very important role when accepting imported or artificially produced products.
The issue of food, both domestic and imported, is a constant topic of discussion. Regardless of accepted trends, it is important to provide adequate education and information to enable informed consumer choices. For children, on the other hand, it is particularly important to have a well-balanced diet, including wholesome animal protein, appropriate to their age and necessary for proper growth and development.
The assessment of the food situation indicates that, in the face of new challenges, consumers should be provided with access to reliable information on the origin, quality, as well as nutritional value and health properties of food products. In this way, it is hoped that the food market will be shaped according to consumers’ preferences and health needs.
Farewell
It is with deep sorrow that we received the news of the passing of our Colleague and Friend, Dr. Bartłomiej Paradowski, a remarkable veterinarian, a dedicated professional, and above all, a kind and compassionate human being.
Dr. Paradowski will always be remembered as someone who cared for animals with great passion and commitment. His professionalism, kindness, and willingness to help will remain in our hearts and memories.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his Family, Loved Ones, and everyone who knew him personally or had the privilege of working with him.
The funeral service will begin with a Holy Mass to be held on July 19 at 11:00 AM at the Blessed Honorat Church, located on Olsztyńska Street in Mrągowo.
With deepest sympathy,
The Management and Staff of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn
The Head, Colleagues, and Friends from the Research Station in Popielno
Our scientists among the world’s top researchers
A researcher’s publications in a given field and the number of citations are factors that were taken into account when compiling the 4th edition of the prestigious international Research.com ranking. Researchers from our Institute were recognized in two of the twenty fields included in the ranking: Prof. Ryszard Amarowicz in chemistry and Prof. Andrzej Ciereszko in biology and biochemistry.
The ranking of Research.com is based on the D-index (discipline-specific H-index), which takes into account a researcher’s publication output in a given field and the number of citations. The data comes from OpenAlex and CrossRef. According to the creators of the ranking, their goal is to inspire scientists, companies, and politicians from around the world to explore the research conducted by leading experts and to provide the entire scientific community with the opportunity to discover who the leading experts are in specific fields of research, in different countries, and even within individual research institutions.
Chemistry: Prof. Ryszard Amarowicz, leader of the Chemical and Physical Properties of Food Team at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn:
- 2nd position in the national ranking,
3013th position in the global ranking,
D-Index: 78,
Citations: 18,811,
Publications: 370.
Biology and biochemistry: Prof. Andrzej Ciereszko, corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, leader of the Gamete Biology Team at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn:
- 27th position in the national ranking,
17,364th position in the global ranking,
D-Index: 45,
Citations: 7,549,
Publications: 260.
Congratulations!
Dr. Daniel Żarski honoured for his contributions to Polish fisheries and science
The Voivode of Warmia-Masuria honoured this year’s Fisherman’s Day celebrations with the Rafał Chwaluczyk Award, a distinction for scientists supporting the development of fisheries and the protection of the aquatic environment in the region. The title of ‘Scientist of the Year’ was awarded to Dr. Daniel Żarski, whose scientific and practical work has for years focused on innovative solutions in ichthyology and aquaculture.
As stated in the official announcement by the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship Office in Olsztyn: Warmia and Masuria, a region with a unique water heritage, could not function without the people who protect its riches. Fisherman’s Day is an opportunity to express gratitude to fishermen, scientists, educators, wardens and all those involved in the protection and development of the fishing industry.
– I am extremely pleased to present you with the Rafał Chwaluczyk Award, also because your first research (on burbot reproduction, as part of Dr. Żarski’s master thesis – Ed.) was conducted in collaboration with the patron of this award. You are an outstanding scientist, gifted not only with great talent and scientific intuition, but also with diligence, humility, caution in formulating conclusions and respect for the achievements of other scientists. All this together makes your achievements outstanding and directly translates into innovation in Polish aquaculture, especially in the field of fish reproduction, hatchery and larviculture, said Radosław Król, Voivode of Warmia-Masuria, in his laudation.
The development of aquaculture is not only a tradition and continuation of local heritage, but also a solid investment in the future – healthy food, resource security and new technologies. Scientific work in this area provides not only knowledge, but also specific tools that help fishing farms operate effectively and responsibly.
– It is a great honour. We work with passion, heart and commitment, combining theory with practice, which translates into a real impact on the development of this sector of the economy. Today’s times present us with major challenges, including climate, environmental and food issues. Aquaculture, if conducted wisely, can be the answer to many of them – explains Dr. Daniel Żarski, leader of our Institute’s Reproduction and Development in Fish Team. The Rafał Chwaluczyk Award aims to highlight the role of scientists who not only describe and explain the world, but also actively change it – for the benefit of the environment, the economy and future generations.
Congratulations!
Farewell
It is with deep sadness that we received the news that on June 24, 2025, our coworker, colleague and friend, Anita Ostaszyk, M.Sc. Eng., passed away.
Anita had been associated with the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn for 34 years, where she was employed while still a fifth-year student at the University of Agriculture and Technology in Olsztyn. After graduation, she continued her work at the Department of Physical Properties of Food, then at the Department of Food Chemistry, and the Department of Sensory Analysis of Food, currently operating as the Sensory Laboratory.
The premature passing of Anita Ostaszyk is a profound and painful loss for our community. We bid farewell to a modest, warm, and cordial person with great personal culture, helpful and always willing to offer advice. She loved nature and long walks with her dogs with all her heart, and her home was always full of pets. Literature and handicrafts were also her great passions. We will remember her kindness and warm smile, which she bestowed on everyone around her. She will remain a symbol of patience and genuine concern for others.
The funeral ceremony will begin on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. with a Holy Mass at the Church at 29 Morska Str. in Olsztyn, after which the mourners will proceed to the municipal cemetery at Poprzeczna Str. in Olsztyn.
The Management and Colleagues
of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn
Ewelina Palak wins the TBR Scientific Award for the best scientific paper in 2024
The groundbreaking nature of the research and its significant contribution to advancing knowledge about the extra-gonadal role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a hormone that plays a significant role in regulating reproductive functions – the Scientific Award of the Society for Reproductive Biology for the best scientific paper published in 2024 was awarded to Ewelina Palak, MSc, from the Biology and Pathology of Human Reproduction Team at our Institute.
As we read further in the justification of the TBR Executive Board: The results obtained challenge the existing beliefs about the involvement of FSH-FSHR signaling in the regulation of uterine muscle contractility during pregnancy, as well as in the functioning of adipose tissue. These findings may be of significant importance in the future design of effective hormonal therapies using FSH.
The award-winning paper, entitled „Revisiting the follicle-stimulation hormone receptor expression and function in human myometrium and adipose tissue” was published last December in the prestigious journal Molecular Medicine (Mol Med. 2024 Dec 4;30(1):241).
– Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone that plays a key role in sexual development and the regulation of reproductive functions in both women and men. In women, FSH stimulates the growth and maturation of Graafian follicles in the ovaries, and its concentration is an important indicator in the diagnosis of infertility, menstrual disorders, assessment of ovarian reserve and in the diagnosis of menopause. Both too low and too high FSH concentrations may indicate gonadal dysfunction. The action of FSH is possible thanks to the presence of its receptor (FSHR), whose proper functioning is crucial for the action of FSH in reproductive biology – explains Ewelina Palak, MSc.
Laureate is a biotechnologist, a graduate of the Warsaw University of Technology. She works in the Biology and Pathology of Human Reproduction Team at our Institute. Her research interests focus on the functional role of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and the effect of FSH on uterine muscle and adipose tissue. She conducts research on the molecular mechanisms occurring in the female reproductive system, with particular emphasis on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY (TOWARZYSTWO BIOLOGII ROZRODU – TBR)
TBR was established in 1998. Currently, it has eight branches (Białystok, Lublin, Poznań, Szczecin, Kraków, Olsztyn, Wrocław, and Warsaw). The aim of the Society is to initiate activities leading to the development of sciences related to human and animal reproductive biology.
More information on the TBR website (available in Polish): tbr.pan.olsztyn.pl.
Congratulations!
Launch of the Summer Science Academy
At the end of June, the Research Station in Popielno hosted workshops inaugurating the Summer Academy of Sciences, a joint initiative of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research PAS and the Masurian Landscape Park. – The aim of the meetings is to create a network of entities involved in the protection of biodiversity in the Piska Forest, while presenting the heritage and uniqueness of Masuria in an interdisciplinary way, combining facts from biotechnology, nature, forestry and aquaculture, as well as cultural studies – emphasizes Prof. Anna Korzekwa, the initiator of the event on behalf of the Institute.
The event will last until the end of August and is held in the form of regular Saturday workshops. The main idea was to present the advantages of Masuria from a scientific perspective, especially in the context of biodiversity. The organizers invited partners—scientific and cultural institutions in the region—to participate in the event. These institutions conduct thematic workshops at their facilities, aimed at both tourists and residents of Masuria.
– We invited the Maskulińskie Forest District, the Research Station of the Botanical Garden of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kosewo Górne, the Masurian Center for Biodiversity and Education of the University of Warsaw in Urwitałt – KUMAK, and the Old Believers Monastery in Wojnowo, to participate in the Summer Science Academy. We also managed to engage a sponsor, Genomed – explains Prof. Korzekwa, leader of the Biodiversity Protection Team at the Institute.
The workshops are run by experienced experts, but above all, enthusiasts, which is particularly important when it comes to science communication. The organizers, aware of the region’s tourist activity, know how important it is to protect it. – Tourists are an important part of Masuria, especially in the summer months. We want to show them the uniqueness of our region, hence the topics of the meetings include walks, field games, talks, workshops and experiments, joint activities, such as making ointments containing valuable herbs – sums up the professor.
The first meeting of the series took place on June 21 at the Research Station in Popielno. Prof. Anna Korzekwa’s team: Dr. Anna Kononiuk, M.Sc. Katarzyna Borońska, and volunteers, doctoral students at the Institute, M.Sc. Paulina Zając and M.Sc. Oliwia Serej, presented popular chemical reactions that occur in every kitchen. After completing the laboratory activities, the participants went on a tour of the station and took part in a field game about the secrets of the Popielno Peninsula.
