Join Us for Science: Polish Perspectives (SPP) Cambridge 2025: From Discovery to Disruption: Polish Innovation in the UK

Mark your calendars for September 15th, 2025, and be part of an exciting event organised by the Polonium Foundation in Cambridge.

The event will bring together Polish researchers working in the UK across both academic and industrial sectors. It will feature talks from esteemed speakers, expert-led discussion panels, and researcher and startup spotlights.

Venue

Event Agenda

Monday 15th September 2025, 9:00 - 20:00 GMT

The McCrum Lecture Theatre, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge CB2 1RH

9:00 - 9:30

Registration at the venue and welcome networking coffee

9:30 – 10:00

Official Event Opening

Welcome message from:

• Agata Nyga, SPP Cambridge Coordinator, Polonium Foundation

10:00 - 10:30

KEYNOTE SPEAKER / Academia

• Prof. Ewa Marek, University of Cambridge

“Engineering the Future: Sustainable Energy, Responsibility, and Innovation”

10:30 - 11:30

Discussion Panel

“Crossing Borders: Shaping Science Through International Experience”

Chair: Aleksandra Krzywańska, Polonium Foundation

• Dr Rafał Mantiuk – Reader in Graphics and Displays, University of Cambridge

• Prof. Barbara Pierscionek – Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University 

• Prof. Marzena Szymańska – Quantum Optics, University College London

• Prof. Tomasz Liskiewicz – Surface Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University

11:30 - 12:00

Workshop:

•  Justyna Lisińska - The Role of Academia in Policy Making

12:00 - 13:15

Group photo + Lunch

13:15  - 14:00

Science Spotlight - 5-Minute Pitches

Panel of Judges:

• Prof Ewa Marek – (Engineering, University of Cambridge),

• Dr Agnieszka Bronowska (Newcastle University),

• Prof. Bartek Papiez (Assistant Profressor University of Oxfrod)

session host: Zuzanna Dzieniak, Polonium Foundation

14:00- 14:30

Workshop:

• Agata Zborowska - Beyond the Pitch: Hard-Earned Lessons in Founding Deep Tech Startups

14:30 - 4:45

Coffee break

14:45  - 15:45

Discussion Panel:

“Bridging the Gap: From Academic Research to Market Innovation”

Chair:

• Dr Zuzanna Brzosko, investor, ex M&A Eli Lilly, cofounder/CEO Sixfold Bioscience

• Dr Jurek Kozyra, CEO Nanovery

• Dr Michał Minczuk – Professor, University of Cambridge; Co-founder, Pretzel Therapeutics

15:45 – 16:30

Startup Spotlight - 5-Minute Pitches

Panel of Judges:

• Dr Zuzanna Brzosko (M&A, Eli Lilly),

• Dr Barbara Domayne-Hayman (Entrepreneur-in-Residence @ Francis Crick Institute, Cambridge Angel),

• Agata Nowicka (Female Foundry)

session host: Ewa Nowicka, Polonium Foundation

16:30 - 16:45

Coffee break

16:45  - 17:15

KEYNOTE SPEAKER / Industry

• Danuta Jeziorska (CEO & Founder, Uncover Therapeutics & Nucleome Therapeutics)

17:15 – 17:30

Polonium Foundation in the Future

• Jakub Orłowski, CBO, Polonium Foundation

17:30 - 17:45

Best pitch awards

17:45 - 18:00

Closing remarks

• Michał Winnicki, Partnership Team Lead, Polonium Foundation

• Agata Nyga, SPP Cambridge Coordinator, Polonium Foundation

18:00 - 20:00

Informal Networking Evening - Corpus Christi Gardens

 This Agenda is subject to updates and alterations.

Keynote speakers:

Panelists:

SPP Cambridge 2025 is financed by the Senate of the Republic of Poland in support of Poles and the Polish diaspora (Senat-Polonia 2025). The event is also supported by Connects-UK, co-funded by the European Union.

SPP Cambridge 2025 to zadanie dofinansowane w ramach sprawowania opieki Senatu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej nad Polonią i Polakami za granicą w 2025 roku. Wydarzenie jest również wspierane przez Connects-UK, współfinansowane ze środków Unii Europejskiej.

Honorary Patronage

Strategic Partners

Partners

Community Partners

SPP Cambridge 2025 Coordinator