Researchers of the Faculty of Chemistry at Gdańsk Tech Awarded NSC PRELUDIUM 24 and OPUS 29 Grants | Faculty of Chemistry at the Gdańsk University of Technology

The National Science Centre (NSC) has announced the results of the PRELUDIUM 24 and OPUS 29 calls. We are proud to report that as many as six researchers from the Faculty of Chemistry at Gdańsk University of Technology have obtained funding to carry out their own research projects, while a further two members of our staff will serve as partners in projects led by other scientific institutions.

This is an exceptionally strong result, once again confirming the high quality of research conducted at our Faculty and the dynamic development of both early-career and experienced academic staff. This success constitutes an important step in further strengthening the position of the Faculty of Chemistry at Gdańsk University of Technology on the national and international research map.

Below we present the awardees together with brief descriptions of their projects.

PRELUDIUM 24 Grants

• Tomasz Wojnowski, MSc, Eng., Department of Inorganic Chemistry
  Project title: The two faces of boron cations: combining the properties of Lewis acids and bases in synthetic and catalytic applications
• Marta Kowalkińska, MSc, Eng., Department of Process Engineering and Chemical Technology
  Project title: Heterogeneous photocatalysis without critical raw materials: investigation of charge carrier generation and transport mechanisms in hybrid photocatalysts containing porous organic polymers
• Paulina Wiśniewska, MSc, Eng., Department of Polymer Technology
  Project title: Elucidation of interaction mechanisms between sustainable substitutes in rubber blends: a milestone in the development of high-performance, environmentally responsible rubber materials
• Joanna Smorawska, MSc, Eng., Department of Polymer Technology
  Project title: The role of renewable antioxidants in improving the thermal and oxidative stability of thermoplastic bio-polyurethanes during multiple recycling cycles

OPUS 29 Grants

• Miłosz Wieczór, PhD, Eng., Department of Physical Chemistry
  Project title: Machine learning of next-generation force fields for atomistic simulations of RNA
• Prof. Paweł Sachadyn, PhD, DSc, Eng., Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology
  Project title: Molecular mechanisms of pharmacologically activated regeneration
• Justyna Łuczak, PhD, DSc, Eng., Department of Process Engineering and Chemical Technology – the Faculty of Chemistry is a project partner
  Project title: New surface-mounted metal–organic framework thin films (SURMOFs) for molecular capture and photoconversion
• Paweł Wityk, PhD, Eng., Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology – the Faculty of Chemistry is a project partner
  Project title: The impact of dietary modulation of the RAGE/AGE axis on neuroendocrine differentiation of the prostate gland and the effectiveness of anticancer therapies

What are the PRELUDIUM and OPUS competitions?

PRELUDIUM is an NCN funding scheme addressed to early-career researchers (without a doctoral degree). It enables the financing of first independent research projects and supports the development of scientific autonomy.

OPUS is one of the most prestigious NCN competitions, open to researchers at all career stages. It supports ambitious projects, often carried out in consortia, and allows for the purchase of research equipment, methodological development, and international collaboration.

Securing funding in both calls is a confirmation of the high scientific quality of the projects, their innovativeness, and their significance for the advancement of science.

We extend our sincere congratulations to all awardees of the PRELUDIUM 24 and OPUS 29 calls.
Your achievements demonstrate that the Faculty of Chemistry at Gdańsk University of Technology is a place of dynamic research, ambitious projects, and scientific discovery.

We wish you every success in the implementation of your projects, satisfaction from your research work, and many further achievements.