Our Team
Staff
Prof. Łukasz Opaliński, PhD, DSc
Full Professor, Head of the Department of Medical Biotechnology, Head of the Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences
I am a graduate of the University of Wrocław (2008, biotechnology). I obtained my PhD in 2012 at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. I completed a 2.5-year postdoctoral internship at the University of Freiburg in Germany. In 2015, I returned to the Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław. In 2019, I obtained habilitation degree in biological sciences, and in 2023 I was employed as a professor at the University of Wrocław. Since 2023, I have been the head of the Doctoral College of Biomedical Sciences operating at the Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Wrocław. By order of May 15, 2024, the President of the Republic of Poland awarded me the title of professor in the field of natural sciences in the discipline of biotechnology. Since September 2024, I have been the head of the Department of Medical Biotechnology at the Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Wrocław.
I received a long-term fellowship from the European Organization for Molecular Biology EMBO, FUGA, SONATA BIS and OPUS grants from the National Science Center, a prestigious First TEAM and First TEAM FENG grants from the Foundation for Polish Science and a scholarship from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education for outstanding young scientists. I am a several-time winner of the Rector’s Award of the University of Wrocław for scientific and teaching achievements. In 2020, I received the Prime Minister’s Award for highly rated scientific achievements, which are the basis for awarding the degree of habilitated doctor. In 2023, I received the award of the National Science Center in the Life Sciences. So far, I have promoted five doctors: four as the main supervisor and one as an auxiliary supervisor.
My research focuses on protein transport, signaling and protein engineering. I am the author of 59 publications (all from the Philadelphia list) in journals like: “Nature Communications”, “EMBO Journal”, “PNAS”, “EMBO Reports”, “Molecular Cell”, “Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences”, “Journal of Biomedical Science”, “Biotechnology Advances”, “Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews” and “Molecular Oncology”.
Privately I enjoy travelling, automotive, martial arts and strength sports, gardening and DIY
Contact: lukasz.opalinski@uwr.edu.pl
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=opKv2hgAAAAJ
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lukasz-Opalinski?ev=hdr_xprf
Prof. Ewa Marcinkowska, MD, PhD, DSc
Full Profesor, Group Leader, Member of the National Science Centre Board
I am a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine of the Medical University of Wrocław. During my studies, I took part in student strikes in 1988 and 1989, and I contributed to the reactivation of the Independent Students’ Association at the Medical University in 1988. After completing a postgraduate internship at the Jan Babiński Hospital in Wrocław, I completed my doctoral project at the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław. Then I completed a short postdoctoral internship at Radiumhospitalet in Oslo, in the team of Professor Sjur Olsnes. Since 2013, I have been working at the Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław, where I teach immunology and cancer biology.
I conduct research on the crossroads of hematology and immunology, focusing on therapies involving the induction of maturation of acute myeloid leukemia blasts and stimulation of innate immunity.
In free time I enjoy hiking and skiing
Contact: ema@cs.uni.wroc.pl
Dr Natalia Porębska
Assistant Professor
In 2018, I completed my master’s studies at the Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Wrocław and joined the group of prof. Łukasz Opaliński, where I started my doctoral project. After completing my doctoral studies in 2022, I became an assistant professor at the Department of Medical Biotechnology, where I manage the Preludium-21 grant awarded to me by the National Science Center. In 2022, I was awarded the START scholarship from the Foundation for Polish Science.
In my research, I focus on the development of new protein drug carriers that could be used in targeted cancer therapies.
Contact: natalia.porebska@uwr.edu.pl
Dr Aleksandra Marchwicka
Assistant Professor
I am a graduate of the University of Wrocław (2008, major in Biology). After graduating, I worked in the Cytogenetics Laboratory of the Lower Silesian Cell Transplantation Center with the National Bone Marrow Donor Bank, where I had the opportunity to learn cytogenetic and genetic diagnostic techniques in hemato-oncological diseases. In 2011, I joined the team of prof. Ewa Marcinkowska, where I started my doctoral project. My research focuses on differentiation-inducing therapies in acute myeloid leukemias.
In my free time, I practice strength sports, sports climbing, and I also prefer outdoor activities, including: mountain walks and cycling.
Contact: aleksandra.marchwicka@uwr.edu.pl
Dr Dorota Pajdzik
Biotechnologist
I graduated in Biotechnology from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology. I defended my doctorate (2008) at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology. Since 2008, I have been employed at the University of Wrocław as an independent biotechnologist.
Privately, I like the sea, walking and psychology.
Contact:
Telefon:+48 71375 2611
E-Mail:dorota.pajdzik@uwr.edu.pl
Marta Minkiewicz, Msc
Biotechnologist
I completed my engineering and master’s studies at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, majoring in Biotechnology. I have been associated with the University of Wrocław since 2014, and in 2019 I was employed as an independent biotechnologist. Currently, I run the cell culture laboratory of the Department of Protein Engineering and the Department of Medical Biotechnology.
Contact: marta.minkiewicz3@uwr.edu.pl
Dr Eng. Marta Kalka
Postdoc
I completed my engineering and master’s studies at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, majoring in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. I then completed doctoral studies at the Department of Biochemistry of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, during which I studied the relationship between the structure and function of inherently disordered proteins in the biomineralization process. During my doctoral studies, I completed a foreign research internship at the University of Toronto in Canada, where I was involved in proteomic research on proteins isolated from Danio rerio. Currently, as a postdoc in the group of prof. Opaliński, I study human galectins and their role in the regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptors. I am particularly interested in the impact of protein oligomerization on their activity and the induction of liquid-liquid phase separation by human galectins.
Contact: marta.kalka@uwr.edu.pl
PhD students
Aleksandra Chorążewska, Msc
PhD student
I graduated with a master’s degree from the Faculty of Biotechnology in 2022. I am currently a PhD student at the Department of Medical Biotechnology. In my work, I focus on obtaining cytotoxic conjugates and examining their internalization into cells. In particular, I am interested in identifying endocytosis pathways and searching for chemical compounds that can influence this process (both promoting and inhibiting it). For this research, I use HCS (High Content Screening) microscopic imaging, which has become one of my main scientific interests.
Contact: aleksandra.chorazewska@uwr.edu.pl
Krzysztof Ciura, Msc
PhD student
I am a graduate of the Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław, where I graduated in Biotechnology in 2022. Currently, I am continuing my scientific path as a PhD student at the Department of Medical Biotechnology.
My research focuses on the development and synthesis of oligomeric cytotoxic conjugates directed against pancreatic cancer cells. I test the created compounds in vitro, analyzing their effectiveness and specificity of action. I also deal with data analysis and visualization.
Contact: krzysztof.ciura@uwr.edu.pl
Paulina Gregorczyk, Msc
PhD student
I am a PhD student in Professor Łukasz Opaliński’s team. In 2020, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław. I continued my master’s studies at the University of Wrocław, majoring in Medical Biotechnology, which I graduated in 2022. My master’s thesis involved the overproduction, purification, and characterization of the physicochemical and biological properties of recombinant fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) variants. I am currently working on the topic of unusual localizations of the first fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR1) and the regulation of the function and interactome of FGFR1 by its N-glycosylation.
Contact: paulina.gregorczyk@uwr.edu.pl
Subhradeep Haldar
My passion for science led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at the University of Wroclaw, which I completed in 2021 with academic distinction, including two rector’s scholarships. My thesis focused on molecular targets for anti-diabetic therapies, integrating nanotechnology-driven solutions. In 2022, I began a master’s in Medical Biotechnology, gaining hands-on experience in protein biotechnology and nanotechnology. During this period, I have worked on a research internship at Fraunhofer IKTS in Dresden, before getting promoted to pursue my PhD studies at the doctoral school of the University of Wrocław in the Department of Medical Biotechnology. I combine academic excellence, technical expertise, and programming skills (Python, R, etc) to tackle challenges in human medicine and contribute to innovative research. My current research is focused on developing a targeted combination therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Outside of work, I enjoy playing the piano, cooking, and spending time in the lab, which feels just as much like a hobby as it does a career.
PhD student
Contact: subhradeep.haldar@uwr.edu.pl
Mathilde Rey, MSc
PhD student
My name is Mathilde Rey, I am from France and I am passionate about molecular biology with a particular interest in multidisciplinary approaches to cancer research.
Regarding my academic background, I completed my Bachelor in Life Sciences at the University of Bordeaux (France). I then moved to Montréal (Québec, Canada) to obtain a Master’s in Public Health to improve my knowledge of the health system and public policy. I returned to Bordeaux to obtain a second Master’s degree in the international Cancer Biology Graduate Program, to follow an integrated training covering the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of cancer biology. During this time, I completed two internships at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) at the Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC). My research focused on genetic regulation in age-associated leukemia using molecular techniques, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.
Currently, I am a PhD student in the Marie-Skłodowska Curie Doctoral Network “Eradicate”. My research focuses on the role of RARγ in the malignant potential of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts, to develop novel therapies targeting cancer stem cell-driven relapse and metastasis. Ultimately, I aim to contribute to AML treatment advancements to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Contact: mathilde.rey@uwr.edu.pl
Dominika Mangabat, MD
PhD student / Assistant
I obtained my medical degree from the University of Lübeck, Germany, in November 2023. During my studies, I completed a year-long research placement at the Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (2019–2020), investigating the complement system’s role in allergies. This experience deepened my interest in immunology and translational research.
Currently, I am pursuing a PhD at the University of Wrocław under the supervision of Prof. Ewa Marcinkowska. My project, Genomic Actions of Retinoic Acid Receptor and Vitamin D Receptor Ligands in Acute Myeloid Leukemia, is part of eRaDicate, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network funded by the European Union. My research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of AML to contribute to the development of targeted therapies.
Contact: dominika.mangabat@uwr.edu.pl
Julia Ptak, MSc
PhD Student
I am a graduate of the Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław, where I completed my master’s studies in 2024. Currently, as part of my doctoral thesis at the Department of Medical Biotechnology, I am researching a new method of directed degradation. I am also continuing the work I started during my Master’s studies on galectins.
Contact: julia.ptak@uwr.edu.pl
Students
Izabela Janusz
Master student
In 2023, I started master’s studies at the Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Wrocław. The topic of my work is the study of the interactions of human galectins. As part of the Erasmus program, I completed a three-month internship at the University of Copenhagen, the topic of which was the functional characterization of the residues involved in the formation of the GPCR-G-Protein complex and the study of the selectivity of their conjugation.
Olimpia Sobota
Master student
I am a second-year master’s student. In 2023, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology. I am working on my master’s thesis at the Department of Medical Biotechnology, where I am involved in the development of new drug carriers targeted at cancer cells.
Giulia Preto
Master student
My name is Giulia Preto and I am from Italy. I started my journey in the science field three years ago, when I started my Bachelor’s program of Biotechnology at the University of Wroclaw. Currently I am a Master’s student from Medical Biotechnology program at the same University. My Bachelor’s thesis focused in the involvement of lipid droplets in cancer progression. At the moment I am working on my Master’s thesis, which is investigating differentiation-inducing activities of new analogues of 1,25-dihydroxyvitain D in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells.
Eryk Kozak
Master student
I am a final-year master’s student at the Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław. My passion is immunology and cancer research. Under the supervision of Dr. Aleksandra Marchwicka, I am involved in the optimization of methods for detecting potential tumor markers in chronic myeloid leukemia. As part of the Erasmus+ program, I completed an internship in Germany, where I evaluated the immunomodulatory properties of platelets.
Apart from science, I am interested in astronomy and astrophotography, and I also learn improvisational dance.
Artem Petruk
Master student
My name is Artem Petruk, and I am from Ukraine. In 2024 I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology in the University of Wrocław. I did my bachelor’s thesis in the Department of Chemical Biology, focusing on the development of a system to control protein ligation reaction via biarsenical probes and zinc-binding domains. This thesis gave me additional experience with peptide synthesis, fluorometry and HPLC-MS. Currently, I am a master’s student at the University of Wrocław and part of the Department of Medical Biotechnology, where I research whether galectins induce differentiation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, hiking and listening to metal music.
Pola Mikhail
Master student
I am a recent graduate from the University of Wrocław, where I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology. I gained experience in molecular cloning, particularly with Mycobacterium smegmatis. Currently, I am pursuing my Master’s degree in the Department of Medical Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław. My project focuses on investigating the impact of various galectins on FGFR1 interaction with partner proteins.
Outside of my academic work, I enjoy jogging and reading. You will probably find me at a concert or two 😉
Julia Kaniok
Master student
In 2024, I started working on my master’s thesis at the Department of Medical Biotechnology, which I am working on under the supervision of Dr. Natalia Porębska. My work focuses on multivalent drug carriers based on the affibody molecule, targeting the HER2 receptor. During my studies, I became particularly interested in the branch of medical biotechnology, especially precision therapies for cancer diseases.
Agata Budzyńska
Bachelor Student
