Team

Prof. dr hab. Stanisław Karpiński

Professionally I am interested in plant molecular biology, genetics, biophysics and biotechnology. I am working on mechanisms of excess light signalling pathways (intra- and inter-cellular), especially on quantum-redox-hormonal coordination of biotic and abiotic stress responses and plants productivity under natural semi-drought environment. Recently (1^st of Feb. to 2^nd of May 2012) I was a Sceretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

Referee for Nature, Plant Cell, Plant Physiology, Plant Journal, Plant Cell and Environment, Journal of Experimental Botany, Molecular  Plant-Microbe Interaction, Plant Molecular Biology, Journal of Plant Physiology and others. I am also doing reviews for the German Scientific Agency (DFG), the Polish Science Agency (NCN) and Polish Science Foundation (FNP).

Teaching on M.Sc/M.Sc. Res. biotechnology and physiomics.

My hobby is  theory of everything, astronomy and  history. I like swimming and weight lifting (I can press 115-130 kg), I used to play inebandy.

e-mail: stanislaw_karpinski@sggw.pl 

phone: +48225932172

dr Joanna Dąbrowska

Scientifically I am interested in plant molecular response into biotic and abiotic stresses. The subject of my Ph.D thesis was functional characterization of tomato genes putatively engaged in signal transduction after infection of roots with potato cyst nematodes. Actually I am working in Welcome 2008/1 project. The point of my interest is an influence of CO2 acumulation on biomass production in Arabidopsis and poplar plants.

In my spare time I like swimming and playing tennis.

e-mail: joanna_dabrowska@sggw.pl

dr Anna Rusaczonek

I obtained my PhD in January 2009 from the Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences at Warsaw University of Life Sciences. During my PhD study I focused on measuring the antioxidant activity of plants and animal tissues, measuring markers of oxidative stress as well as the characterization of polyphenolic compound content in plants.
During a postdoctoral fellowship (18 months) under Annette Schürmann at the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE) I investigated the role of ARFRP1 in hepatic lipid metabolism in Arfrp1liv-/- mice and I conducted research in order to establish a novel lipodystrophic mouse model using the Cre/loxP recombination system.
In March 2011, I joined the research group of Prof. Stanisław Karpiński. Within the Welcome 2008/1 project, I am exploring the role of selected photoreceptors and glutation peroxidase in biotic and abiotic stress responses.

dr Magdalena Szechyńska-Hebda

My scientific interests are focused on the mechanisms of systemic acquired acclimation to abiotic stresses versus pathogen induced systemic acquired resistance. During the postdoctoral fellowship at Stockholm University and within Welcome 2008/1 project I have studied the role of photosynthesis and signals generated within PSII and PSI in SAA and SAR and the role of electrophysiological signals in the induction of plant cellular memory.

I am fascinated by CLSM, SEM, electrophysiology and other similar techniques e.g. microinjection, immunodetection.

Developmental and social psychology as well as the neurological basis of learning are my hobby and passion

e-mail: szechynska@ifr-pan.krakow.pl

assoc. prof. Ireneusz Ślesak

I studied biology and I was graduated at the Jagiellonian University in 1994. Results of my studies concerning biochemical characterization and regulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the C3-CAM intermediate plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum have been described in my Ph. D. thesis. My research interest is focused on the plant responses to different environmental stresses. Moreover, another field of my interest is the evolution of antioxidant systems in different groups of organisms and their hypothetical role at the early stages of life evolution on the Earth.

I participate in Welcome 2008/1 project, where I am involved in the characterization of antioxidant system and some ecophysiological parameters in Arabidopsis thaliana and Populus sp. mutants, such as: eds1, pad4, lsd1.

I am married and I have two children. My hobby is astrobiology, philosophy and history of science.

e-mail: i.slesak@ifr-pan.krakow.pl

See also: www.ifr-pan.krakow.pl

MSc Paweł Burdiak

My name is Paweł Burdiak. I’m 25 years old. I’m a graduate from the Interdisciplinary Studies of Biotechnology in Warsaw University of Life Science.

In Welcome 2008/1 programme I am working as Ph.D. student on some DUF26 kinases and their role in inter- and intra-cellular signalling.

Beside my work I try to lead active life, I’m very fond of sports, especially swimming and cycling. Moreover I love traveling, particularly to far-away countries where I can get familiar with other cultures.

e-mail: pawel_burdiak@sggw.pl

phone: +48225932161

MSc Piotr Gawroński

My name is Piotr Gawronski and I graduated biotechnology in Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Department at Warsaw University of Life Sciences. The subject of my master thesis was organization of mitochondrial genome in cucumber. Working at Wageningen University in project “Plant-nematode interactions” I have been developing my interests of molecular biology.

Currently I am working in Welcome 2008/1 programme on the role of salicylic acid in acclimation of plants to environmental cues  and on function of novel genes from LSD1 regulon.

In spare time I’m hiking in mountains, often as a mountain guide.

e-mail: piotr_gawronski@sggw.pl

phone: +48225932161

MSc Magdalena Górecka

My name is Magdalena Górecka. I am Ph.D. student in The Laboratory of Physiomics and Crop Design lead by professor S. Karpinski.
I prepared my MSc. thesis in the Department of Microbial Biochemistry in the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, where for a one-year I continued the project started during MSc. studies.

In Welcome 2008/1 programme I am interested in the role of glutathione synthesis in stress responses (rax1 mutant), regulation of APX2 expression (Arabidopsis, poplar) and mechanism of systemic acquired acclimation (SAA).

Privately I am enthusiast of sailing, motor races and interesting music.

e-mail magdalena_gorecka@sggw.pl

phone: +48225932161

MSc Weronika Wituszyńska

I graduated from the Poznan University of Life Sciences. My field of study was biotechnology. I did my master thesis at the Institute of Human Genetics in the Polish  Academy of Sciences in Poznan. It concerned the application of RNA interference for modification of domestic pig cells for the purpose of xenotransplantation.

At present I am doing doctoral study within the confines of the Welcome 2008/1 programme under supervision of professor Stanisław Karpiński. My interests concentrate on the functional characterization of a new elements of LSD1 regulon and their role in different abiotic and biotic stresses.

In my spare time I like traveling.

e-mail: weronika_wituszynska@sggw.pl

phone: +48225932161

MSc Milena Kulasek

I am a graduate of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. I graduated from two faculties: biotechnology (MA) and philosophy (BA). I performed my Master's Degree Thesis at the Department of Immunology. It was concerned with the molecular mechanisms of fever in slipper animalcule (Paramecium caudatum).
Currently I am employed in the Welcome 2008/1 programme as an independent biotechnologist. Under the guidance of prof. Karpinski I investigate the molecular and biophysical mechanisms of plant cellular memory.
In my spare time I read Stephen King’s books or I go for walks. In summer I do kayaking. The area of philosophy I’m most interested in bioethics and cognitive science.

e-mail: milena_kulasek@sggw.pl

I graduated from National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” Department of Nature Science in 2011. During my term at university (Kiev, Ukraine) I was recruited by Institute of Dairy and Meat and worked there for 3 years. The subject of my master thesis was “Bacteriophage Streptococcus thermophilus: Detection, Identification and Mechanism of Inhibition”.

Few months after graduation I have relocated to Poland. In order to increase my knowledge in molecular biology, which represents my strongest subject of interest, since November 2011 I have joined research group of prof. Karpiński. Topics of my current research are “Production of plants with dexamethasone inducible MPK4-silencing constructs” and “Characterization of protein phosphatases 2C (PP2Cs) and mitogen activated kinases (MAPKs) from poplar (Populus trichocarpa) and/or cucumber (Cucumis sativus B10)”.

About my hobbies: I enjoy embroidering, yoga, collecting postcards from all over the World, cooking deserts. I also practice making still life photos of what I’ve cooked.

I am biotechnology master student at Warsaw University of Life Sciences, where at the Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology I performed BSc thesis about expression level of genes encoding PSII proteins in mpk4 mutant of A.thaliana. Currently I investigate interactions between MAP kinase MPK4 and specific phosphatases, in Populus trichocarpa cells. My science interests include: signals transduction in plant cell, photosynthesis, synthetic biology, biotechnological sources of energy, bioremediation. Moreover in my free time I play guitar, ride my bike, kayaking, or read good books. Also I am interested in survival, nature, politics and economics.

BSc Maciej Białasek

My name is Maciej Białasek and I am biotechnology master student at Warsaw University of Life Sciences. My Bachelor Degree Thesis concerned effect of electrical signals induced in plants on non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence.
In Welcome 2008/1 program I continue working on effects of electrical signals in plants on photosynthetic response.
Privately I am interested in evolutionary biology, contemporary literature (particularly postmodern) and cinema.

e-mail: mbialasek@gmail.com

Past MSc Students

Dawid Głów

Sylwia Kacprzak

Dorota Komar

Kamila Gałązka

Ludwik Bielczyński

Halina Fedak

Joanna Makaruk

Paweł Mroczkowski

Damian Witoń