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

SPP Cambridge 2025 will focus on showcasing how Polish science, business, and innovation can develop and grow in the UK. By approaching the topic from the perspective of both research and entrepreneurship, we aim to provide you with lively discussions, interesting networking opportunities, and a fresh outlook on Polish innovation in the UK.

At this year's SPP Cambridge, we are excited to highlight ten early-stage scientists and innovators.

You can take an active part in the event and show off your work during a 5-minute pitch in front of a panel of expert judges. Showcase your research and compete for a prize!

You can now submit abstracts for one of two routes:
🔬Science and academia
💡Commercialisation and start-ups

Join us in Cambridge to connect with the scientific and entrepreneurial Polish diaspora in the UK, including early-career scientists and researchers, professors, startup founders, investors, policy makers, and experts from the fields of medicine, technology, and innovation.

⬇️ Scroll down for the event summary and the event booklet.

Venue

EVENT SUMMARY:

Science: Polish Perspectives 2025 - From Discovery to Impact

The historic city of Cambridge once again hosted Science: Polish Perspectives (SPP) on 15th September 2025, an annual gathering that brings together Polish scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators working in the UK and beyond. Known for its unique atmosphere where conversations over coffee quickly turn into collaborations, SPP 2025 proved to be another memorable celebration of science, ideas, and community.

Nature as Teacher

The programme opened with a captivating plenary lecture by Dr Ewa Marek, Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge.

Her talk, “Engineering Inspired by Nature”, reminded the audience that “everything is powered by the Sun”. From the iridescent wings of moths to the aerodynamics of condors, nature’s designs are being reimagined as blueprints for clean energy technologies such as biomimetic photovoltaics and next-generation wind turbines. The message was clear: nature’s solutions often outshine our own and remain a rich source of inspiration for innovation.

Workshop for Change

During our first workshop of the day, Justyna Lisińska, a CORNERSTONE Specialist Policy Officer, raised the topic of the intersection between research and legislation. She explained key aspects of government functioning and policy implementations. Any researcher who strives for their findings to justify new laws and regulations needs to understand how to approach lawmakers and influence change. Without the correct evidence and strategy, it is hard to influence policy, even with the best of ideas.

Science Across Borders

Mobility and international experience were at the heart of the discussion panel “Crossing Borders: Shaping Science Through International Experience”, chaired by Ola Krzywańska from the Polonium Foundation.

The panel featured Prof Barbara Krystyna Pierscionek (Anglia Ruskin University), Prof Tomasz Liskiewicz (Manchester Metropolitan University), Prof Marzena Szymańska (UCL), and Dr Rafał Mantiuk (University of Cambridge).

Each panellist reflected on how moving between countries shaped both their careers and outlook on science. From navigating post-Brexit realities to the earlier challenges of mobility before Poland joined the EU, their experiences highlighted how political and logistical contexts shape the flow of knowledge and collaboration. Yet, a common thread ran through all their stories: curiosity and the drive to explore.

Spotlight on Young Researchers

The Science Spotlight gave early-career researchers five minutes to pitch their projects to a broad audience. The topics spanned biology, medicine, and engineering - from nanomedicine and CAR-T cell transitions to liquid biopsy for aggressive lymphoma.

The jury - Dr Ewa Marek (Cambridge), Dr Agnieszka Bronowska (Newcastle), and Dr Bartek Papież (Oxford) - awarded the top prize to Dr Joanna Krupka (University of Cambridge) for her engaging presentation on liquid biopsy.

Startups Take the Stage

Innovation was also at the forefront of the Startup Spotlight, where five founders presented projects ranging from non-invasive cancer diagnostics to sustainable biomaterials.

The judging panel - Aleksandra Pedraszewska, Barbara Domayne-Hayman, and Agata Nowicka - awarded the prize to Magdalena Karlikowska (Cytecom Ltd) for her breakthrough in ultra-rapid bacterial detection.

The subsequent panel, “Bridging the Gap: From Research to Market Innovation”, chaired by Dr Agata Nyga (Polonium Foundation), explored the realities of translating discoveries into businesses. Prof Michał Minczuk (Pretzel Therapeutics), Zuzanna Brzosko (investor, ex-Eli&Lilly, ex-Sixfold Bioscience), and Agnieszka Rutkowska (Teledyne DALSA) shared candid insights on pitching to investors, balancing scientific and entrepreneurial roles, and the importance of transferable skills.

We were thrilled to host a special talk by Zuzanna Brzosko and Aleksandra Pedraszewska, who chose our conference to unveil their new fund from vastpoint ventures - a first specific fund for Polish founders building deeptech companies globally. Attendees gained exclusive insights into how venture funding works and what deep tech founders need to know when preparing to speak with investors. Their session offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the mindset of funders, the mechanics of early-stage investment, and practical advice for navigating the fundraising journey.

From Idea to Impact

The keynote was delivered by Dr Danuta Jeziorska, CEO and Founder of Uncover Therapeutics and Nucleome Therapeutics. Her talk, “From Idea to Impact - The Inner and Outer Journey of Building Something That Matters”, encouraged the audience to rethink what success means.

Success, she argued, is not a fixed summit but a hike - an ongoing journey guided by resilience, purpose, and values. Drawing on her entrepreneurial experiences, Danuta invited participants to reflect on the future they envision, reminding them that even those who feel they do not “fit the mould” can achieve remarkable things.

A Community in Motion

From nature-inspired engineering to stories of mobility, from research spotlights to startup journeys, SPP 2025 showcased the breadth of talent within the Polish scientific diaspora.

More than just a conference, Science: Polish Perspectives is a community in motion, driven by curiosity, courage, and collaboration. Its impact reaches beyond individual talks and panels - it lies in the conversations, connections, and ideas that continue to flourish long after the event.

✨ Thank you to our guests, partners, sponsors, and volunteers who made SPP 2025 possible.

Photo gallery

Keynote speakers:

Panelists and Judges:

Pitch presenters:

SPP Cambridge 2025 is co-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

Community Partners

SPP Cambridge 2025 Coordinator