Our team comprises world-class scientists, dedicated PhD students, and talented research associates who share a common passion and commitment to our mission.
With diverse backgrounds and expertise, our team members bring a wealth of knowledge and creativity to our research efforts in cancer biology. Together, we strive to make groundbreaking discoveries and advance innovative treatments for the benefit of patients worldwide. Our collaborative and driven approach fosters an environment where excellence thrives and ideas flourish.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT & gROUP LEADER
Prof. Magdalena Król
Magdalena is a distinguished academic in the field of cancer biology, having earned the prestigious title of Full Professor through a nomination by the President of Poland in 2019. Her educational journey is marked by notable achievements, including the distinction of a post-doctoral degree (Habilitation) from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in 2014, as well as a doctoral degree with distinction from the same institution in 2009.
With a deep commitment to global engagement and knowledge exchange, she has embarked on enriching internships and collaborations with renowned institutions across the world. In 2018, she served as a Visiting Researcher at the University of British Columbia in Canada and Stanford University in California, USA. In 2017, she had the privilege of being a Visiting Professor at the Sapienza University of Rome in Italy. In earlier years, she contributed as a Research Associate at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in New York, USA, and as a Research Fellow at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam in 2009. She also dedicated time as a Visiting Scientist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Sweden and Utrecht University in the Netherlands in 2007.
Throughout her academic journey, she has remained steadfast in her pursuit of advancing the understanding and treatment of cancer. Her international experiences and collaborations have broadened her perspectives, allowing her to bring diverse insights and approaches to her research. She has made significant contributions to the field of cancer biology, striving to improve patient outcomes and address the most pressing unmet medical needs. Leading a team of world-class scientists, PhD students, and research associates, she inspires and guides them towards the shared mission of transforming cancer care.
With unwavering enthusiasm and dedication, she continues to push the boundaries of cancer research, aiming to revolutionize treatment options and make a lasting impact on the lives of patients worldwide.
Read full bio of Magdalena here.
Scientists
Dr. Paulina Kucharzewska–Siembieda, PhD – Assistant Professor
Paulina has obtained her PhD degree in experimental oncology in 2014 at Lund University in Sweden. Later (2014-2017) she obtained a Postdoc position in AstraZeneca (Goeteborg, Sweden) in iMED RIA (Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Diseases) biotech unit. She has joined our group in 2017.
Dr. Bartłomiej Taciak, PhD – Assistant Professor
Bartłomiej has obtained PhD degree in 2019 at Warsaw University of Life Sciences. During his scientific career he has completed many internships at: Nencki Institute, Groningen University (The Netherlands), Edinburgh University (UK), Bilkent University (Turkey), La Sapienza University of Rome (Italy).
Dr. Jacek Szeliga, PhD – Assistant Professor
Dr. Jacek Szeliga obtained a PhD degree in biological sciences at the University of Lodz. Then he started working as an assistant professor at the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology of the University of Lodz, completed a scientific internship at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz (Germany) Institute of Immunology Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz and a postdoctoral internship at the Department of Biochemistry University of Texas Health Center at Tyler (USA) . After returning to Poland, he worked as a laboratory manager in an accredited microbiological and physicochemical laboratory. Since 2008, he has been associated with the Warsaw University of Life Sciences – initially with the Analytical Centre, and later with the Independent Laboratory of Cancer Biology.
Małgorzata Kubiak, MSc – University Assistant
Małgorzata holds a Master of Science by Research in Genetics and Molecular Medicine from The University of Edinburgh, completed in 2017. Later she focused on biomedical immunology, working on the project “Study of the mechanism of H-ferritin uptake by human macrophages”. She also gained research experience in the areas of autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis, and molecular biotechnology during her previous roles at various institutions.
Małgorzata Górczak, MSc – University Assistant
Małgorzata’s expertise includes cell culture in an automated system, flow cytometry, RT-PCR, immunobiological techniques, cell transfection, Western Blot, and optical microscopy. She contributed to the European project “Entrapment of hypoxic cancer by macrophages loaded with HAP”. During her Master’s degree at Gdańsk University of Technology, she investigated the cellular response and changes in the course of the cell cycle induced by selected acridine derivatives in cancer cells.
Irena Padzińska-Pruszyńska, DVM – University Assistant
Irena is currently a Research and Teaching Assistant at the Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, where she is a member of the didactic council and coordinates the Erasmus program for biomedical technology students. She is also a PhD student at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Additionally, she works as an Oncologist at Animal Clinic Medicine vet. Michał Trzebiatowski.
Emilia Górka, MSc – Lab Manager
Emilia has been working in our team since 2015. She graduated from Laboratory Medicine Faculty at the Medical University of Warsaw. Currently, she is employed in the Department of Cancer Biology as a Scientific technical specialist. She takes charge of purchasing lab equipment and materials, ensuring that our research team has all the necessary resources to carry out their work efficiently.
Anna Smolarska, MSc – PhD Student
Anna graduated from Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk. She has joined our team in 2019 and since 2021 she is working on her PhD project. Anna’s studies focus on ferroptosis in tumor microenvironment. She is a member of Doctoral Students’ Council and works as a Spokeswoman for PhD Students’ Rights at Warsaw University of Life Sciences.
Administration
Jakub Jarząbek, MSc – Administrative Specialist
Jakub has been working in our team since 2021. He graduated from European Studies at the University of Warsaw. Currently, he is employed in the Department of Cancer Biology as an administrative specialist. He is responsible for preparing documents in accordance with university procedures, such as public procurement, purchasing plans, financial documents, and assisting in hiring employees for the department.
