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Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology

Faculty of Pharmacy

EMPLOYEES

Head:

Prof. Dr. Habil. Iwona Inkielewicz-Stępniak

Prof. Dr. Habil. Iwona Inkielewicz-Stępniak

E-mail:iwona.inkielewicz-stepniak@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 16 ext. 1516

I am a graduate of the MUG (Faculty of Pharmacy). I completed two post-doc research internships at Trinity College Dublin, where I was involved in researching the pharmacological activity of new aspirin analogues as well as nanopharmacology and nanotoxicology in vitro. My research interests are focused on experimental nanomedicine, platelet pharmacology, research on the interaction of platelets with neoplastic cells and the role of platelets in the formation of neoplastic metastases, and research on the development of targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer. Currently, I am Principal Investigator of two grant projects financed by the National Science Center: OPUS (evaluation of the potential antitumor activity of new opioid growth factor analogues in the treatment of pancreatic cancer), HARMONIA (evaluation of the anticoagulant and antiplatelet activity of functionalized silver nanoparticles) and a PI at MUG of EU-funded Research and Innovation Programme Horizon: PRECODE (development of a three-dimensional model of pancreatic cancer). I am also a research supervisor in three PRELUDIUM grants and two intra-university Young Creator of Science grants. I cooperate with Trinity College Dublin, Erlangen Clinical University and the University of Saskatchewan. I am the supervisor of five completed doctorates and four currently being pursued.

Professors:

Prof. Dr. Habil. Barbara Lewko

E-mail:barbara.lewko@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 21 86 ext. 2186

The scope of the research performed in the Laboratory of Experimental Nephrology includes the in vitro studies on podocytes, the cells of the renal glomerulus. Currently, the interest is focused on
• Effects of the polyphenolic compounds, urolithins on the mechanisms regulating podocyte functions
• Impact of the high glucose milieu on podocyte functions and structure.

Assistant Professors:

Damian Flis, Ph.D.

Damian Flis, Ph.D.

E-mail:damian.flis@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 17 ext. 1517

Assistant professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology.
The topic of his doctoral dissertation was the influence of swimming on the concentration
of mitochondrial cholesterol and energy metabolism in conditions of oxidative stress. The main scientific interests of the doctor include research on energy and free radical metabolism
and mitochondrial function in conditions of health, physical exercise, and pathology development.
At present, Mr. Damian works on scientific projects related to the search of the mechanism responsible for changes in the mitochondrial cholesterol level under exercise condition-
the role of Caveolin-1 protein, and molecular mechanism of the protective effect of swimming training on skeletal muscle atrophy and the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Senior Assistant:

Edyta Wysokińska, Ph.D.

Edyta Wysokińska, Ph.D.

E-mail:edyta.wysokinska@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 17

I am a graduate of Wrocław University of Science and Technology from the Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, majoring in Technical Physics. I obtained a doctoral degree in Biological Sciences at the Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy in Wroclaw, defending thesis titled “The mechanism of the toxicity of lanthanides nanoparticles to selected immune cell subsets”. I enhanced my qualifications by participating in numerous training and during a research internship at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome. I worked as an assistant and as an assistant professor at the Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy in Wroclaw. I was a Principal Investigator of grant project PRELUDIUM focused on toxicity of gadolinium-doped nanomaterials. Currently, I am employed as a post-doc researcher at the Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology at Medical University of Gdańsk.
My primary scientific interests encompass the study of nanomaterials used in cancer diagnostics and their potential anti-cancer effects.

Senior Specialists:

Shaoshan Mai, MPharm.

Shaoshan Mai, MPharm.

E-mail:shaoshan.mai@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 17

I did some research on stem cells and autoimmune disease during my study of Master degree in China. After graduation, I worked as a research assistant to investigate lung cancer, hepatic cancer and pancreatic cancer in Sun Yan-sen University. In 2018, I moved to Germany and worked with gastric cancer induced by helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection. Currently, I am an ESR in EU Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Program(PancREatic Cancer OrganoiDs rEsearch, PRECODE) under the supervision of Prof. Iwona Inkielewicz-Stępniak. I cooperate with colleagues in our lab to develop three-dimensional model of pancreatic cancer ( Patient-Derived Organoids ), set up co-culture system in organoids with platelets, organoids with human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs). To investigate the crosstalk between platelets or HUVECs and organoids, and effect of chemical drugs, nanoparticle drugs on pancreatic cancer treatment are part of my PhD study project. My scientific interests are tumor treatment, autoimmune disease and nanoparticle medicines.

Olga Tovchiga, Ph.D.

Olga Tovchiga, Ph.D.

E-mail:olga.tovchiga@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 17 ext. 1517

I Graduated of Clinical Pharmacy, obtained Ph.D. degree and Doctorate degree in the field of experimental pharmacology at the National University of Pharmacy (Kharkiv, Ukraine). My primaryscientific interests are focused on pharmacology of purine metabolism regulation and water- salt exchange.I possess an experience in verification and in-depth study of nephrotropic, metabolic (especially, anti-diabetic), neurotropic, psychotropic, organoprotective effectsof natural and synthetic agents, acute and chronic toxicity determination, as well as basic skills of in vitro techniques. My background in teaching pharmacology and toxicology facilitates comprehension during the studies of biological systems.

Junior Specialists:

Julia Klebba, M.A.

Julia Klebba, M.A.

E-mail:julia.klebba@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 17 ext. 1517

I am a graduate of medicinal chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. As part of my master’s thesis, I conducted research on the antioxidant potential and health-promoting properties of polyphenolic compounds. My current scientific research focuses on breast cancer and concerns the assessment of the potential anticancer activity of compounds from the group of benzenesulfonamides.

Doctoral Students:

Justyna Budka, M.A.

Justyna Budka, M.A.

E-mail:justyna.budka@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 17

I am a graduate of the Faculty of Biology and the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Gdańsk. The subject of my interest is the problem of cancer, in particular pancreatic cancer. In the oncological therapy of the pancreas, chemotherapeutic agents that would be highly effective in reducing tumor mass and show a selective effect are still being sought. As part of my doctoral dissertation, I synthesize compounds with potential antitumor activity and determine their impact on pancreatic cancer cells.

Damian Drążewski, M.D.

Damian Drążewski, M.D.

E-mail:damian.stom@gmail.com

I am a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the Medical University of Poznań. My research interests focus on the molecular mechanisms related to the aging process of the skin and the use of tissue stimulants in anti-aging treatments. The second area of my research is to determine how collagen stimulators work at the cellular level and to assess their impact on protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation on skin cells.

Justyna Hajtuch, M.A.

Justyna Hajtuch, M.A.

E-mail:justyna.hajtuch@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 17

I am a graduate of biotechnology and a pharmaceutical technician. My research interests are focused on nanomedicine. In the ongoing projects, I am assessing the potential application of nanoparticles in diseases related to the hemostatic system. These studies consider the antiplatelet activity of functionalized silver nanoparticles and their use as a drug delivery system or as a coating material for medical devices.

Eliza Iwicka, M. Eng.

Eliza Iwicka, M. Eng.

E-mail:eliza.iwicka@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 17

I am a graduate of biotechnology at the Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology. My research interests are mainly in the field of cancer. The project of my doctoral thesis is focused on the search for new chemotherapeutics that exhibit selective cytotoxic effects on pancreatic cancer cells. Due to my knowledge of organic chemistry, I am not only concerned with the biological aspect of the experiments, but also with the synthesis of multifunctional chemical compounds for pancreatic cancer research.

Milena Kotewicz, M.A.

Milena Kotewicz, M.A.

E-mail:mkotewicz@gumed.edu.pl
Direct number:58 349 15 17

Laboratory diagnostician by profession, scientist by choice. I conduct experiments in the field of experimental nephrology, studying the influence of polyphenolic derivatives on the structure and functions of podocytes. In the times of diabetes epidemic around the world, I am trying to find a natural alternative in protecting the diabetic kidney.

Swathy Krishna Reghukumar, MPharm.

Swathy Krishna Reghukumar, MPharm.

E-mail:swathy.reghukmar@gumed.edu.pl

I graduated in Pharmacology from JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (Mysore, India). My current research topic under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Iwona Inkielewicz-Stępniak and prof. Elzbiety Megiel from Warsaw University involves evaluation of anti-cancer activity of novel functionalized metal nanoparticles in breast cancer therapy. This involves the synthesis of functionalized metal nanoparticles and evaluation of their potential for selective cytotoxic action against cancer cells.

Karol Steckiewicz, Ph.D.

Karol Steckiewicz, Ph.D.

E-mail:karol.steckiewicz@gumed.edu.pl

My scientific interests focus on nanotechnology with particular emphasis on research in the field of nanomedicine. In the current projects, we are focusing on assessing the role of noble metal nanoparticles as drug carriers that can potentially be used in periodontitis and inflammatory bowel diseases. We study the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles as well as the synergistic effects of nanoparticles and drugs. My clinical interests focus on anaesthesiology and intensive care

Site update: 26.04.2024
Justyna Budka, Iwona Inkielewicz-Stępniak, Eliza Iwicka, Julia Klebba