Gala of Polish Science 2026. Awards for researchers from UWr!
The Day of Polish Science was established in 2020, and the day – 19th of February – was chosen because it is Mikołaj Kopernik’s birthday. The culmination of this holiday was the Gala of Polish Science, held on February 20th at the Polish Theatre in Warsaw, during which scholars from the University of Wroclaw were commended with prestigious Minister of Science and Higher Education awards.
Prizes were awarded for achievements in scientific, educational, implemental, organizational work, and overall achievements.
Professor Jolanta Zakrzewska-Czerwińska from the Faculty of Biotechnology was awarded for her overall scientific achievements.
Three faculty members from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures received Minister of Science and Higher Education awards for their scientific, educational, and organizational contributions.
Regarding significant scientific achievements, dr hab. Karol Zieliński, prof. UWr was given the award for his monograph „The Iliad and the Oral Epic Tradition,” published in 2023 by the prestigious Hellenic Studies Press of Harvard University. The over-600-page book addresses one of the most important and widely discussed problems in world classical philology – the issue of the oral character of “The Iliad”. Professor Zieliński had proposed a new and interdisciplinary interpretation which combined classical philology with anthropology, folkloristics, and cognitive psychology. Its release was met globally with unanimous enthusiasm, and the thesis it presents is gradually implemented in syllabuses in Poland and around the world.
A team consisting of dr hab. Justyna Deszcz-Tryhubczak, prof. UWr, dr hab. Agata Zarzycka, prof. UWr and dr hab. Mateusz Świetlicki, prof. UWr, got a prize for teaching activity. Since 2018, they have co-created the international „Erasmus Mundus Children’s Literature, Media and Culture” program in consortium with top universities from Europe and North America. „Film and Participatory Culture” combined film education, social practice, and reflections on children’s culture. Students from several countries across the world took part in international mobilities (Erasmus+), participated in internships during film festivals, published research papers, and developed their educational and cultural careers. The program greatly internationalized the Faculty’s educational offers and strengthened its position in the global web of partnerships.
The award for organizational work was handed to dr hab. Irena Barbara Kalla, prof. UWr for creating and managing the Centre for Research on Children’s and Young Adult Literature. From 2017 to 2024, she established a dynamic, internationally recognizable research facility that implemented esteemed European grants, organized conferences, and led a series of lectures, „International Voices in Children’s Literature Studies”. Thanks to her actions, the Centre became one of the most important units of its sort in Poland and contributed to our university’s positive reputation.
Three ministerial prizes awarded to one faculty validate the high standard of research, modern didactics, and efficient organizational activity carried out at the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. It was the success of people, their courage, ambition, and consistent work in aid of science.
More to read in the text.
The prize for overall scientific achievements went to a scientist from the Faculty of Biotechnology, prof. dr hab. Jolanta Zakrzewska-Czerwińska. She is a renowned researcher with recognized authority in the field of molecular biology of bacteria. Her findings contributed to the understanding of basic biological processes, particularly DNA replication machinery regulation and organization of chromosomes in pathogenic bacteria.
Her most important discoveries include:
- discovering and describing a new species of Staphylococcus bacteria
- explaining the molecular basis of initiation of replication of the chromosome and regulation of these processes observed in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, using respectively Streptomyces and Helicobacter pylori
- describing key stages of the Mycobacterium cell cycle on the intracellular level
- understanding the mechanisms behind chromatin proteins functioning in Mycobacterium
- demonstrating that the predator bacteria Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, referred to as a “living antibiotic”, as the only bacteria known so far, can reproduce not only through binary fission, but also in a non-binary way
More to read in the text.
Congratulations to our scientists!
Translated by Weronika Wolak (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
Date of publication: 20.02.2026
Added by: M.J.
