Dr. Elżbieta Dulko is a systems neuroscientist specializing in the neural mechanisms underlying absence epilepsy and seizure generation. She recently completed her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Virginia, US where her research focused on understanding how neuronal activity and synchrony across cortical and thalamic circuits contribute to seizure initiation and propagation.

Using in vivo electrophysiology, single-unit recordings, EEG, and computational analyses, her work has investigated large-scale neuronal dynamics during absence seizures in mouse models. Her research identified early hypersynchrony in midline thalamic circuits and demonstrated that targeted disruption of thalamic activity can rapidly terminate seizures, highlighting potential targets and stimulation strategies for neuromodulation.

Her broader interests lie at the intersection of systems neuroscience, computational analysis, and translational medicine, with a particular focus on understanding neurological disorders and develop clinically relevant therapeutic strategies.

Outside the lab, she likes any activity that gets her outdoors, plans to see as much of the world as possible, and is a huge Arsenal fan.

Kasia Kuzmicz-Kowalska obtained her MSc in Biotechnology at the University of Warsaw, followed by PhD in Developmental Biology at Institute of Science and Technology Austria. She then decided to pursue a path beyond academia and became a Grant Manager at the Medical University of Vienna. Currently, she coordinates funding acquisition and manages EU projects at high tech company Viewpointsystem (Vienna). During her PhD, she also developed a podcast Science on Trial (and Error) where she interviewed researchers from different fields about their journey within and beyond academia. Reach out if you’d like to talk about career transitions, project management or work-life balance.

I completed my PhD in 2014 and worked 6 years at the University of Edinburgh as a post-doctoral scientist, mainly on industry founded projects. In 2021, I joined a biotech start-up. In my current role as Associate Director, I oversees strategy and execution of pre-clinical development programs.

Main research topics: pre-clinical drug discovery and development/in vivo models of disease/ novel diagnostic markers/ in vivo imagining/ regulatory affairs. Primary area of focus- inflammation and fibrosis/ ATMP. Previous experience: microRNA research ( therapeutics/diagnostics).

I am passionate about translating scientific advances from bench-to-bedside, working across different disciplines. I am keen to help those who are considering the move to industry but have mentored PhD students on their path in academia too. I am a mum of 3 children ( if you need advice from STEM mum). Hope to chat soon!

Dr. Leon Ptaszek is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ptaszek received his undergraduate degree with high honors from Wesleyan University in 1994 and his MD and PhD degrees from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York University) in 2003. He completed a residency program in Internal Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine in 2005 and then completed clinical and research fellowships in Cardiovascular Diseases and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital in 2011.

Dr. Ptaszek’s primary research interests include the molecular mechanisms of scar formation after myocardial infarction and interventions that reduce post-infarct scar burden. His interests also include new technologies related to catheter ablation procedures for cardiac arrhythmias, as well as new clinical treatment strategies to minimize stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Dr. Ptaszek is a co-inventor on nine patents/patents pending and is the author of over 70 original scientific publications, book chapters and reviews. He is regularly invited to deliver lectures related to his areas of clinical and research expertise on national and international levels. Dr. Ptaszek also maintains an active referral practice that includes local, regional, national, and international referrals. In addition, Dr. Ptaszek is involved in international health outreach efforts and has performed pacemaker and defibrillator implantation procedures in Cape Verde, Ethiopia, and India. Dr. Ptaszek also initiated the creation of the Indian Country Cardiology ECHO lecture series, an educational series delivered as part of the Indian Health Service and is regularly attended by clinicians throughout North America.

Dr. Ptaszek received the Franklin G. Ebaugh, Jr. Award for research and the Award for Professionalism from the Stanford University School of Medicine in 2005. He received the Clinician-Scientist Award from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and was named the de Gunzburg Scholar at MGH in 2011. Dr. Ptaszek became a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology in 2013 and became a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society in 2018. He received a Pioneer Award for management of SVT from the Arrhythmia Alliance in 2021. In addition, he received Innovation and Pillar of Excellence awards from MassGeneral Brigham in 2022 and 2024, respectively.

Małgorzata Mnich obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biochemistry from Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. During her studies, she developed a strong interest in immunology, investigating immune-mediated skin diseases, including psoriasis, and gaining early research experience in cellular immunology.

In 2017, she pursued her doctoral research within the Infection and Immunity programme at the Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands, as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Horizon 2020 DISSection project (Doctoral Industrial School on Human Skin Models for Staphylococcal Infections). Her PhD research focused on human-specific pathogenic and immune evasion mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus, with particular emphasis on host–pathogen interactions and protective T-cell immunity. Combining academic and industrial research, her doctoral work was conducted at UMC Utrecht in the Netherlands and GSK Vaccines in Siena, Italy. In 2022, she successfully defended her PhD thesis entitled Skin Immunity in Protection Against Staphylococcus aureus Infections.

Małgorzata is currently a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in the Innate Immunity Unit, Department of Immunology, at Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. Her research focuses on mucosal immunity in the context of bacterial colonization, particularly S. aureus carriage in the upper respiratory tract and its impact on local and systemic immune responses. She is also involved in developing approaches that integrate clinical sample analysis, immunological profiling, and multi-omics to investigate the relationship between bacterial colonization and host immunity. During her postdoctoral research, she has been awarded research seed and travel grants to support her independent research projects and participation in scientific conferences.

Throughout her academic career, Małgorzata has gained research experience in Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and France, working in diverse academic and industrial environments. These international experiences have shaped her multidisciplinary approach to research and strengthened her interest in collaborative science, mentorship, and fostering a supportive and inspiring academic environment.

Michal Kurzelewski, a medical doctor with a PhD and Certification in Medicines Development, is an expert in leadership, innovation, healthcare management, and technology transfer. He brings over 20 years of executive experience from leading pharmaceutical corporations (including Sanofi, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer), combining multinational and multicultural leadership across more than 15 countries with an academic background.

In addition, he has been actively involved in identifying healthcare innovation projects in Poland and authored the Pfizer PACTT Academy - a dedicated training program designed to boost tech transfer capabilities among scientists.

As a mentor, he helps mentees navigate technology commercialization, career transitions, and leadership in healthcare.

I pursued my academic journey through Political and Social Sciences as well as International History at esteemed institutions including Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Democritus University of Thrace, and the University of Lausanne. With over two decades of experience in the private sector spanning Greece and international arenas, I've cultivated a rich understanding of various socio-political landscapes.

Presently, I am engaged as a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Lausanne, delving into the intricate history of Greek political refugees in Poland after 1949. Also, I share my passion for history as an educator. My research is multifaceted, focusing on Greeks in the USSR and Warsaw Pact countries, the plight of Pontic Greeks, immigration dynamics, responses to refugee crises, and broader social issues. Through my academic pursuits and teaching endeavors, I aim to contribute meaningfully to our understanding of historical narratives and their contemporary relevance.

Alicja Olszewska, PhD, Eng, earned her PhD at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, where her doctoral research focused on neuromusicology and brain plasticity - using musical training (such as piano instruction) as a model to examine neurocognitive adaptation, auditory perception, and functional brain reorganisation.

Building on her foundation in auditory processing and neural adaptation, Dr. Olszewska’s current research project focuses on the acoustic and prosodic characteristics of infant-directed speech in autistic mothers. Her work investigates how adult neurodiversity shapes intra-familial communication and the dynamics of parent-infant interactions. Utilising acoustic signal processing, psycholinguistics, and non-invasive tracking, Dr. Olszewska quantifies variations in Infant-Directed Speech (IDS) to determine downstream impacts on early infant language acquisition. In her work, she seeks to replace deficit-centred models with neurodiversity-affirming frameworks.

Apart from her scientific research, dr Olszewska is involved in popular science ventures, frequently appearing on radio, in podcast, and social media, where she educates about the brain and neuroscience.

I am passionate about building bridges between people, ideas, and opportunities. Throughout my career, I have spanned academia and industry, gaining diverse experience in research, lab and facility management, business development, scientific consulting, and customer-facing roles within the life sciences sector.

Having worked closely with researchers, industry professionals, and commercial teams, I understand both the scientific and business sides of innovation - and the unique challenges of navigating between them.

I love meeting people from diverse backgrounds, exchanging knowledge, and supporting others as they make pivotal career and life decisions. My core interests include leadership, innovation, intentional networking, and creating environments where people can thrive.

Paulina Babiak is a Senior Scientist at AbbVie, working in Biologics Drug Product Development. She started her career at AbbVie in late-stage R&D and commercial support of synthetic molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients.

She earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, where she focused on developing biomaterials and studying the subcutaneous delivery of monoclonal antibodies. Paulina is a 2021 recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University in 2019, with minors in Biomedical Engineering and East Asian Studies.

Dr. Róża Kamila Przanowska is a Polish molecular biologist specializing in non-coding RNAs in cancer and development. She recently opened her independent research group as an Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Her group studies how long non-coding RNAs drive heterogeneity in estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer through their structure and function, and how transient oncogenes and premalignant microenvironments govern the earliest steps of malignant transformation. Her translational research integrates primary patient-derived organoids, mouse models, molecular approaches, and computational biology to connect fundamental discoveries in RNA biology and cancer genetics to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Przanowska earned her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the University of Warsaw (Warsaw, Poland). She was a Fulbright BioLAB fellow at the University of Virginia, where she subsequently obtained her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics. Her Ph.D. work in Dr. Anindya Dutta’s laboratory focused on long and short non-coding RNAs in skeletal muscle differentiation and extended into cancer biology, DNA replication, the DNA damage response, and developmental disorders. A National Cancer Institute F99/K00 Award facilitated her transition to postdoctoral training in Biomedical Engineering in Dr. Kevin Janes’s laboratory, focused on breast cancer biology and translational research. She developed zero-passage patient-derived organoids, an innovative model for studying estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer in the lab and alongside clinical trials. Dr. Przanowska has received multiple awards recognizing her research, mentoring, leadership, and service, including the Mentor of the Year award from the Polonium Foundation.

Hi, I'm Robert. An engineer, passionate about automation, optimisaiton and unification. I have done my PhD in the field of Digital Electronics. Started my professional career at Cambridge Silicon Radio, now with Arm, Cambridge, focusing mainly on hardware acceleration for SoC prototyping.

I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re starting out or trying to grow your professional career. Having now gained experience from both the technical and leadership perspectives, I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned, help you navigate challenges, and offer a different perspective when you need it.

Marketing expert with expertise in biotech and pharma. My focus is  on specialized marketing, personal brand positioning, and communication strategy for biologic drugs. I specialize in translating complex biologics development, drug manufacturing, and analytical services into clear, value-driven messaging that supports pipeline growth, brand differentiation, and commercial success. I currently lead Mabion's marketing strategy and execution across digital, content, events, and industry communications delivering strong, data-backed performance:

- LinkedIn company growth (2025): +2k followers, 1.3M+ views, 7k reactions, 200+ posts publications

- Content marketing (2025): 40+ scientific and news articles published in 2025, strengthening scientific credibility and brand awareness

- Digital & media presence (2025): 220+ external industry articles and 250+ external LinkedIn posts in leading outlets including Manufacturing Chemist, Contract Pharma, Outsourced Pharma, BioProcess International, CPHI, PharmaSource

- SEO leadership (US market, 2025): 3× increase in TOP3 keywords and 4× increase in TOP10 keywords, driving visibility in competitive biotech and CDMO search landscapes

- Nominated three years in a row as Future Leader in the CPHI Pharma Awards (2024-2026)

- Nominated as One-to-Watch and Marketing Professional of the Year for the Life Science Sales and Marketing Awards (2025)

My role extends beyond digital marketing into global brand visibility and executive positioning. I actively represent organizations at major international industry events, including CPHI 2023-2026, BIO International Convention 2025 beyond others. I participated as a speaker on the “Building the Future Pharma Workforce” discussion panel at CPHI 2024, contributing to industry-level dialogue on talent and leadership.

What differentiates my leadership is a strong scientific foundation. I participated in analytical method transfer during a collaboration with Novavax for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing and gained in-depth exposure to monoclonal antibodies (rituximab, cetuximab). This enables me to bridge science, marketing, and commercial strategy.

I'm driven to lead high-performing marketing organizations, strengthen biotech and pharma brands globally, and enable companies to clearly articulate their value across the entire biologics lifecycle.

Dr Katarzyna Rączy is a cognitive neuroscientist investigating how the human brain represents and processes information across sensory modalities. Her research focuses particularly on how early sensory experience shapes the functional organisation of the human brain.

Katarzyna completed her PhD in Psychology at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, where she investigated tactile Braille reading in blind and sighted individuals. From 2019 to 2025, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hamburg in the Department of Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, where she investigated the effects of transient congenital visual deprivation and subsequent sight restoration on the functioning of the visual system, with a particular focus on the face-processing system.

Since October 2026, she has been an Assistant Professor at SWPS University in Warsaw. A major focus of her current research is understanding how numerical representations are organised in the brain and the extent to which they are shaped by innate constraints, and to which by sensory experience. She is particularly interested in tactile Braille as a unique model for investigating how abstract numerical information is represented in the brain.

Her research combines functional neuroimaging and behavioural methods with advanced computational and multivariate approaches to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying perception and cognition.

Agata Krasoń, PhD, is a biomedical engineer and Clinical AI expert with over six years of experience across pharma, healthcare and medical technology. Her work focuses on medical imaging, AI, imaging biomarkers, precision medicine and clinical data, with particular experience in oncology and clinical trials. She is passionate about translating advanced technology into clinically meaningful solutions and supporting scientists and professionals in building impactful careers at the intersection of research, AI and healthcare.

Dr Barbara Czarnecka is an Associate Professor of Marketing at London South Bank University (LSBU) Business School, where she also serves as Director Postgraduate Research Students for the College of Society and Professions. She is Research Group Lead for Marketing Science Research Group.

Her research focuses on understanding and influencing human behaviour, with particular interests in consumer behaviour, marketing communications, cross-cultural differences and behavioural change. Her work explores how communication, culture and social influences shape people's attitudes, decisions and actions, and how these insights can be applied to address real-world challenges.

Barbara has contributed to research across a diverse range of areas, including health communication, sustainability, social media, consumer identity, multicultural marketplaces and place branding. Her research combines an interest in understanding human behaviour with a commitment to generating insights that can inform policy, organisational practice and community initiatives.

Her recent research includes examining sustainability education in British universities, the privacy implications of social media practices among motherhood influencers, and the role of city branding in driving social media engagement. She has also undertaken applied research evaluating the value of urban community gardens, demonstrating her interest in the social and community impacts of local initiatives.

Barbara is the co-author of two academic textbooks: Marketing Communications (Routledge, 2014 and 2021) and International Marketing (Sage, 2018). She has published research in peer-reviewed academic journals and presented her work at academic conferences, contributing to debates on marketing, communication, consumer behaviour and responsible business practices.

Alongside her research, Barbara is actively involved in teaching, academic leadership and research supervision. Her teaching expertise includes consumer behaviour, cross-cultural consumer behaviour and marketing communications. Through her leadership roles, she contributes to the development of research activities, supports postgraduate researchers and helps strengthen the research environment within LSBU Business School.

Her work reflects a multidisciplinary approach to understanding behaviour and communication, bringing together insights from marketing, psychology, culture and society. She is particularly interested in how research can contribute to positive behavioural change, more effective communication and improved outcomes for businesses, organisations and communities.

I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at NTNU, Trondheim, Norway, where I also obtained both my MSc (2020) and PhD (2025). Throughout my PhD and my current project, I have been investigating silica glass that is used in the solar cell ingot manufacturing, as a crucible in the Czochralski process. Since 2020, I have been on three research stays: one at University of Bologna during my master's thesis work, one at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials in Düsseldorf during my PhD and one at University of Aalborg recently during my postdoc. Each of these have given me great experiences, both professionally and personally. What I love most about my job is that no two days look the same, and that one small unexpected discovery can guide you somewhere you have never imagined. Being surrounded by great minds from all over the world gives you a unique opportunity to continue to develop your work and gain new perspectives on things.

When moving to Norway at 16 years old, I had no plan of becoming an academic researcher in a Natural Science field, but here I am. I acknowledge my luck and privileges that have made it possible, as well as the support that I have been given along the way. The strong and kind encouragement from my high school chemistry teacher and my master's thesis and PhD supervisor, have made it possible to never give up and continue my work. I am eternally grateful for their advice, and feel that now is the time to pass their knowledge through me to other people. I am looking forward to share my humble knowledge of academia and how to navigate this path with someone that needs a little bit of support and encouragement.

I am a researcher specializing in experimental oncology and nanotechnology, a veterinarian, and a specialist in canine and feline medicine with over 17 years of professional experience. I currently work as a university professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences.

My main research interest focuses on the application of nanotechnology in oncology and personalized therapies based on molecular targets. Together with my team, we evaluate the efficacy of novel anti-cancer drugs based primarily on gold nanoparticles. I gained my experience at leading research centres in the USA, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, which has shaped my interdisciplinary approach to science and career development. I have led several research projects as a principal investigator, including the National Science Centre's Sonata and Preludium grants, as well as a science-with-business project. I am also a recipient of the ABCD and Merial Young Scientist Award and scholarships from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education for outstanding researchers.

As a clinician, I consult on dermatological cases in dogs and cats and teach small animal dermatology to students and veterinarians during specialization courses. In addition to veterinary medicine, I teach science-based public speaking and lead doctoral seminars focused on individual research plans and methodology. I help others present their research findings accurately, substantively, and with confidence, while also assisting with experimental design, hypothesis formulation, scientific writing, and the implementation of advanced research techniques (including Simple Western).

I serve as the coordinator and main organizer of NanoMalutka in Poland—the exclusive local affiliate of Accademia di Gagliato Globale, dedicated to popularizing science among children.

Passionate about mentoring and diversity, I act as an Ambassador for the "Girls to Science" program by the Perspektywy Educational Foundation, empowering young women in their career paths. Furthermore, I am the Vice President of the Mentoring and Training Committee at the Women on Boards club and a Mentor in several initiatives, including the Global Mentoring Walk and Study, the Ignite program by the Maciejko Family Foundation, and the Dreams into Jobs program within the Big Bank of Skills platform.

As a professional, a wife, and a mother of two daughters, I strongly believe in lead with authenticity and finding balance between a demanding career and a fulfilling personal life.

Chris Sarnowski is an experienced scientist with a robust background in systems biology, proteomics, and computational biology. He is currently a Scientist and Project Lead at DISCO Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology startup in Zürich, Switzerland, where he profiles cell surface proteins on cancer cells to develop novel cancer therapeutics.

Chris began his scientific training at the University of Cambridge, earning a Bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences with a specialization in Genetics. He continued his studies at Cambridge with an MSci in Systems Biology, conducting research in Kathryn Lilley's lab. There, he investigated protein-protein interactions during fruit fly development, learning and utilising proteomics by mass spectrometry.

Following his initial studies, Chris acquired diverse business and industry experience. During his bachelor's degree, he completed a rotational internship at a global investment bank, gaining insights into sales and trading. After his MSci, he joined a major consulting firm in London, focusing on technology-enabled business transformation for nearly two years.

Chris returned to academia to pursue doctoral studies at ETH Zürich, joining the groups of Alexander Leitner and Ruedi Aebersold in the Institute for Molecular Systems Biology. His research focused on developing protocols and data analysis approaches to study protein-RNA interactions using cross-linking coupled with mass spectrometry.

After earning his doctorate, Chris undertook a postdoctoral project at Eawag, in the department of environmental chemistry, where he studied the integrity of enzymes from soil organisms under oxidative stress. In his current role at DISCO Pharmaceuticals, Chris leverages his scientific expertise and industry experience in a dynamic startup environment.

Outside of work, Chris is an avid outdoor enthusiast. In the winter, he enjoys skiing and snowshoe touring, while in the summer, he can be found road cycling, hiking, or climbing via ferratas in the Alps.

Joanna is a neuroscientist with an international background spanning life sciences, biotechnology, and nutrition, with experience in both academia and industry. She recently completed her PhD in Molecular Life Sciences at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, after earning an MSc in Nutrition and Biomedicine from Technical University of Munich in Germany and a BEng in Biotechnology from Warsaw University of Technology in Poland. Her academic achievements have been recognised through several merit-based scholarships.

Alongside her academic career, Joanna has gained industry experience through roles at Nestlé Research and Oriflame Products Poland, as well as experience with emerging medtech and biotech start-ups in Poland and Germany.

Having benefited from mentors in both academia and industry, Joanna values the role that guidance and shared experience can play in academic and professional development. She has supervised several bachelor's and master's student projects and mentored an EPFL team in the 2024 international iGEM competition, where the team won the Best Bioremediation Project award.

Her own path has involved several changes in academic focus and research interests, alongside experiences across different countries and sectors. This has shaped her interest in mentoring, particularly around academic choices, international study opportunities, PhD pathways in Europe, and the transition between academia and industry.

Dr Agata Dymarska is a psychologist and postdoctoral researcher at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland. She holds a BSc in Psychology from Cardiff University (2016), an MSc in Language Sciences from the University of Reading (2017), and a PhD in Psychology from Lancaster University (2022).

Her work explores how language, perception, and memory interact in the human mind, including among bilinguals. Currently, she also investigates human-AI interaction and its consequences for cognitive processing.

Agata has experience working in international teams and is keen to support students who navigate different academic systems, are considering academic mobility or want to learn more about academic research.

Kuba is a computational neuroscientist at Univeristy College Dublin, where he researches innovative approaches to treatment of Parkinson’s disease using brain stimulation techniques. His work connects neuroscience, control engineering and programming, reflecting his interest in understanding complex systems and finding practical ways to improve them.

He began his career in IT, working as a network administrator and software developer, before pivoting to academia. He completed his BSc and MSc degrees in neuroinformatics at the University of Warsaw and moved to France to pursue a PhD in control theory and mathematical neuroscience at Universite Paris-Saclay. In 2022-2023 he received a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship and continued his research at University College Dublin.

Alongside research, Kuba is passionate about community building and making science and learning accessible. He participates in and organises general-audience scientific seminars, and has co-founded a non-profit focused on developing educational board games. Since 2022, he has been involved with Polonium Foundation, an organisation connecting Polish scientists abroad with each other and with institutions and opportunities in Poland. Since 2024 he has served on the Foundation Board, developing strategic plans and overseeing projects, fostering collaboration and network-building in the Polish scientific and professional diaspora.

Having changed professional direction himself, Kuba understands that careers can evolve through exploration, transferable skills and a willingness to follow new interests. He enjoys helping people identify what motivates them, explore unfamiliar options, build connections and turn ambitious ideas into practical next steps. He values open conversations, curiosity and learning from different perspectives.

Karolina Dudek is a PhD student in Cancer Biology at the University of Chicago, where she studies inherited predisposition syndromes that increase the risk of blood cancers, using stem cell models to understand how these diseases begin. She came to Chicago from Poland as a Fulbright researcher, and the move taught her to adapt quickly, build new networks, and keep going when the path is unclear. Since then she has changed research fields and added new skills, and she is now building a career at the point where science meets real-world impact, with a growing interest in industry and biotech entrepreneurship. Karolina completed the Warner-Reynolds Becoming a Leader Program and enjoys working with people from different backgrounds. Outside the lab, she loves the outdoors: she has visited more than 35 national parks and enjoys climbing, horse riding, and trail running.

Paulina Rowicka is a neuroscientist specialising in neurodegenerative diseases. She recently completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Harvard Medical School, where her research focused on developing an innovative stem cell-derived therapy for Parkinson’s disease and investigating early disease mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease.

Paulina holds a PhD in Neuropathology from the University of Cambridge (Gonville and Caius College), an MSc in Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience from Utrecht University (including a one-year exchange at the University of Oxford), and a BSc in Biomedical Sciences from University College Utrecht.

Alongside her academic research, Paulina has gained industry experience at Roche Pharma Research and Early Development and at a medical device start-up. Her work is driven by a commitment to translating scientific discoveries into innovative therapeutic approaches that can improve outcomes for patients living with neurodegenerative diseases.

Vanessa Bijak is a scientist, project manager, and community builder passionate about connecting people, advancing international scientific collaboration, and creating opportunities for personal and professional development.

Originally from Poland, Vanessa earned her Master's degree in Chemical Technology from Warsaw University of Technology before moving to the United States through the prestigious BioLAB program. She later earned a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Virginia, where her research focused on the molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. She continued her scientific career at the University of Virginia, contributing to international collaborations in structural biology and biomedical research.

Beyond the laboratory, Vanessa has extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, program development, and building international communities. Her work included organizing scientific conferences, developing mentoring and networking programs, coordinating international teams, and supporting fundraising efforts.

Vanessa is also actively working to strengthen connections within the Polish diaspora and support young professionals. She serves on the Polish Youth Advisory Council to the Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland and has contributed to discussions on international talent mobility, scientific collaboration, and engaging young Polish professionals abroad.

Mentoring has been a meaningful part of Vanessa's journey, both as a mentee and as a mentor. She has helped students and early-career professionals navigate educational opportunities, apply for international research programs, and explore career paths beyond traditional academic research.

Drawing on her experiences across academia, nonprofit leadership, and international community building, Vanessa believes in the power of meaningful connections, knowledge sharing, and helping others recognize and pursue opportunities they may not have considered possible.

I became a researcher because I'm passionate about understanding how living organisms work: how the intricate mixture of molecules powers every cell action, and how busy cell networks sustain tissue and organism action. My PhD thesis was about biophysical aspects of T cell activation, so this one specific cell interaction, between a T cell and an antigen presenting cell. Currently, I'm working with diagnostic ELISA kits, so I'm spending quite a lot of time at the molecular level, studying the antigen - antibody interactions.

I am a public policy researcher with over 15 years of experience specialising in regulatory and policy studies, evaluations and impact assessments for the European Commission and European agencies. My comparative research contributes to the development of EU policy, legislation, funding programmes and the wider evidence base for policymaking. My thematic expertise spans employment and skills policy, education-to-work transitions, working conditions, work–life balance and children’s rights. I can offer guidance and support on navigating the European public policy landscape, including engagement with EU institutions, European agencies and civil society organisations across these policy areas.

I completed my PhD in Economics and Finance at the Warsaw School of Economics in 2023, after many years of combining research with a full-time career in industry. I have worked for nearly two decades in international companies such as Financial Times Deutschland, CBRE, UBS and IONOS. In my current role at IONOS in Berlin, I work in the staff unit of the Head of Cloud Solutions, where I built a strategic IT vendor management function.

Main research topics: innovation capacity / international technology transfer / economy of the People’s Republic of China / digital transformation. Previous experience: data analysis / IT service management (ITIL) / team leadership / training for employees (ITIL and Excel).

I am passionate about bridging research and practice and about showing that academic and industry careers don’t have to be separate worlds. I am happy to help those considering a move to industry or abroad, and anyone whose path doesn’t follow the usual script. I am a mum of two children, so I’m glad to talk about balancing career and family too. Hope to chat soon!

Magda Mroczek is a neurologist based in Switzerland, with research interests in neuromuscular diseases, neurogenetics, and clinical neurophysiology. She completed her specialist training in neurology in 2024 and currently works as an attending physician.

She has undertaken research visits in Newcastle, Aarhus, and London, published as both first and last author, and contributed to international collaborations involving researchers and patient organisations. Magda aims to develop her academic career alongside clinical practice, with a particular interest in building research collaborations, developing independent projects, and improving care for people living with rare neurological conditions.

Since 2022, Magda has been part of the Polonium Foundation, where she has progressively taken on roles of increasing responsibility, from Research and Policy Team Member to Research and Policy Team Lead, and now Chief Operating Officer. Throughout this journey, she has developed a strong understanding of the Foundation’s mission, strategic priorities, leadership, and internal operations.

Bogumiła Mucha is a business psychologist, trainer and consultant working with companies, and a doctoral candidate at the Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Her research explores the cognitive and motivational factors that shape decision-making among Forex traders at different levels of market experience. She also teaches economic and consumer psychology at WSB Merito University in Warsaw. For over ten years she has worked in financial education and mindset coaching, training managers, sales teams, Forex traders and stock market investors. Her expert commentary has appeared in Forbes and Gazeta Wyborcza. What drives her is building bridges between science and business practice: she believes psychological research should help people make better decisions and stay well under pressure. When she is not doing science, she loves travelling and discovering new places. Endlessly curious, she enjoys meeting new people and never stops learning and growing.

I am currently a PhD candidate at Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz, Germany where I am studying a molecular mechanism of a process utilised by cancer cells, especially the ones that are often resistant to treatment, to potentially divide indefinitely. However, my path here was not obvious. I have obtained an integrated Masters degree from University of Aberdeen in Biomedical Sciences (Developmental Biology) during which ideas about my future career were constantly evolving. I had the opportunity to complete a summer placement in Francis Crick Institute in London where I worked on double strand break repair pathways which helped me discover my passion for biochemistry and molecular biology. I also was able to work for 6 months with a postgraduate research school at University of Aberdeen to support PhD students and postdoctoral researchers at the university which prepared me (or at least so I thought) for my own PhD and the challenges it brings. During my Masters I worked in a Vertex Pharmaceutical for a year on developing cell-based assays to test drug candidates and support the drug discovery for some of the most serious diseases which made me appreciate the differences between academic and industrial environment and how the interplay between the two shapes research that is conducted all around the world.

I am also very passionate about scientific communication and for a few years I have been a member of Global Awareness Movement where we aim to spread awareness of important social and environmental issues where I contributed to articles on longevity and its ethical concerns, importance of scientific communication and important women throughout history. I believe interdisciplinary research and collaboration between different scientific areas is the best way of achieving most impactful research.

I had a very wide range of experiences throughout my degree and they all led me to where I am today but it wasn’t without it ups and down that I was able to discover my passion. None of it would have been possible without the support and guidance of mentors along the way. I was able to freely explore different opportunities until I found what I am most passionate about so I am fully aware how having the safe space to do so is essential especially early on in the scientific career.