Postdoctoral Fellow at the Chair of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
Total years of experience :18 years, 6 Months
1. Managing research project: planning and performing experiments, creating developing and optimizizing the applied methods, completing the protocols, data analysing, results interpretation, writing reports, writing scientific papers, oral results presentation.
2. Supervision of the laboratory: organizing work in the laboratory, making work plans and maintaining laboratory equipment, supervision of Master’s students and lab staffs.
3. Teaching: teaching biochemistry to students of following faculties: Medicine, Biology, Biotechnology and Dietetics.
Thus, during my post-doc fellow at University of Warmia and Mazury I developed the independence in planning and conducting consecutive scientific tasks as well as factual interpretation of results obtained which resulted in obtaining the relevant results that were well-published and gained scientific recognition. To achieve this goal, I had to demonstrate to ability to manage the project, analyze and solve problems and outline necessary courses of action.
Moreover I always was seeking both the local and international collaborations and was trying to promote science and my knowledge. I had the opportunity to work with the world class specialists from the field of molecular and cellular biology. I have gotten the practical and theoretical knowledge of the immune system regulations, cell culture techniques, proteomics and genomics. Regarding methodological and analytical training, I have solid experience in the field of in vitro cell cultures (culturing methodology, flow cytometry, various cell functional assays as proliferation, degranulation, necrosis and apoptosis), proteomic (FPLC, HPLC, 1D and 2D electrophoresis), immunoassays (ELISA, westernblot) and genetic (DNA/RNA isolation, real-time quantitative PCR). This experience and intensive molecular training enriched extremely positively my knowledge and background in medical biochemistry, food biochemistry and immunology.
Teaching of biochemistry, proteomics, molecular methods, food biochemistry, toxicology and supervising of masters’ students.
Management and implementation of individual research project funded by Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education titled “Influence of glycation on biological properties of 7S globulin isolated from peanuts (Arachis hypogeae L.)”. I was responsible for performing a wide variety of research tasks, including planning and performing experiments, completing the protocols, data analysing, results interpretation and writing the papers. I also created, developed and optimized the applied methods. I was responsible for research reports and the budget of my own project. The final report was evaluated and noted as “excellent” what confirmed the good leadership skills.
Participation at the five research projects funded by Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (the titles - see cv). Development of knowledge and skills from the fields of protein/peptide extraction, purification and characterization (chromatography - SPE, SEC, FPLC, HPLC; electrophoresis- SDS-PAGE, 2D-PAGE; degree of hydrolysis). Improvement of skills from the immunology field: vaccines preparation, polyclonal antibodies production and purification, direct and indirect ELISA.
Realisation of the European project called EuroPrevall (EU 6th FP, FOOD-CT-2005-514000).
• The research activities focused on the effect of processing and physicochemical modifications of food on protein allergenicity. The studies required the multipronged approach and variety of methods from the fields of proteomics, biochemistry and immunology.
• Responsible for planning and performing the experiments, methods development, data analysis and interpretation, writing reports and presentation of results on the scientific conferences.
• Cooperation with variety of Scientific Institutions from Poland and Europe: Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK; Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University, Netherlands; French National Institute for Agricultural Research, Paris, France; Medical University, Bialystok, Poland.
Dissertation title: “Influence of glycation on physicochemical and biological properties of 7S globulin isolated from peanuts (Arachis hypogeae L.)” The PhD Thesis was awarded with the University Prize as one of the best PhD. I am a person with a passion for science which during six years of research experience has been intensively developed my experience and independency through the following activities: • During the realisation of my PhD Thesis I adopted a leadership position in the development of my own research project. It showed my ability for designing experimental work with intuition, initiative and planning aptitude. • I successfully applied for different grants from different organisations (European Union and Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education – see cv). • During my PhD education I started the fruitfully collaboration with the variety of Scientific institutions from Europe (see cv). • The numerous short trainings and internships at Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University, Netherlands developed my multidisciplinarity as well as independent thinking and adaptation skills. • I coached several MSc students (including work plans, trainings, performing experiments, thesis revisions) which improved my leadership skills and organisational skills. • I published 13 papers in peer reviewed journals with word class recognition (see cv). • I actively participated in different International Conferences and meetings what offered the possibility to share my experiences. • I am an active member of Member of the Polish Biochemical Society and the Federation of European Biochemical Societies. • Participation in ”Research and Development Manager Course”. During one year I have taken the part in a series of management training modules. Summarizing, during my PhD studies, I gained multi-level experience which shaped my independent thinking and project management skills.
Dissertation title: “Identyfication of β-casomorphin in human milk in different phases of lactation ”. The Master Thesis was awarded with the University Prize as one of the best Master Thesis.