Prof. Ewa Łojkowska, a plant biotechnologist from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk, has been awarded the title of honorary professor at the University of Gdańsk. ‘I came to Gdańsk via the United States,’ said the scientist, recalling her academic career. ‘I met some truly wonderful people at the faculty, outstanding scientists and excellent teachers,’ she emphasised.
The title of honorary professor was awarded to prof. dr hab. Ewa Łojkowska by a resolution of the Senate of the University of Gdańsk on 12 June 2025. The ceremonial conferral of the title took place on 7 October during the inauguration of the 2025/2026 academic year at the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk. The Rector of the University of Gdańsk prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski presented the scientist's career, and the Dean, dr hab. Ewelina Król, prof. UG, read the diploma in Latin.
‘I am extremely pleased that Professor Król, not only an outstanding scholar, but also an excellent organiser of the academic world and a tireless advocate of equality and equal treatment of female scientists, is joining the ranks of our university's honorary laureates. She is an excellent populariser of knowledge. Prof, I congratulate you with all my heart,’ said the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Piotr Stepnowski.
The Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. Michał Markuszewski, recalled his personal memories. ‘It is an honour and a real pleasure for me to say that I have known Professor. Łojkowska for many years. I was a young student when I first had the opportunity to meet Prof. Ewa Łojkowska at one of the summer schools of biotechnology in Kashubia. Even then, I was impressed by her scientific attitude. She was a distinguished researcher in the Tricity community. I am very happy, Professor, and once again I congratulate you on this honour,’ emphasised prof. Michał Markuszewski.
To Gdańsk via the United States
Prof. Ewa Łojkowska did not hide her emotion during the ceremony and recalled the path that led her to the University of Gdańsk: ‘I am extremely honoured and moved by the title I have received, it is truly a great honour for me. All the more so because I have spent over 30 years at the University of Gdańsk. My path to this university was not easy, as it led through distant countries. I graduated from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. I obtained my doctorate at the Institute of Plant Breeding and Acclimatisation in Bonin, and then I went on a postdoctoral internship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA. It was there that I met Prof. Anna Podhajska and Prof. Wacław Szybalski, with whom I became friends. Then I did another research internship in Lyon. At the end of the internship, Prof. Podhajska contacted me to say that she was starting to set up an Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology at the university and strongly encouraged me to join the faculty and help in its creation and development. So I ended up in Gdańsk via Madison, via the United States,’ said the honorary professor.
'(...) Behind all this lies the non-randomness of fate, which guides our path so that we meet the right people in the right place and at the right time. And there was no better time to renew my contact with Prof. Podhajska than when she came up with the initiative to establish the MWB UG and GUMed – a unique and one-of-a-kind faculty, which I had the honour of participating in creating from the very beginning. Since its establishment, my professional life has been inextricably linked to this unit. Therefore, if we take into account my length of service at the University of Gdańsk and the years of the Faculty's existence, we are the same age,' recalled prof. Ewa Łojkowska in the publication ’50 meetings for the 50th anniversary of the University of Gdańsk’.
Outstanding achievements
The achievements of the Gdańsk researcher are impressive. ‘Professor Ewa Łojkowska has made an outstanding contribution to the development of scientific research in the field of molecular phytopathology. Her scientific contribution to the development of science is significant. She is the author of over 250 publications, most of which have been published in international scientific journals in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and microbiology. These publications have been cited in the world literature over 4,200 times, and the researcher's Hirsch index is 36,’ said prof. Piotr Stepnowski, listing the scientist's achievements.
The honorary professor expressed her gratitude and added that she was able to develop at the University of Gdańsk thanks to the outstanding scientific environment. ‘This is where I formed my first research team, and the achievements mentioned by the Rector are undoubtedly the achievements of the entire team,’ she emphasised.
Activities promoting gender equality
Prof. Ewa Łojkowska was also involved in organisational activities not only at the University of Gdańsk, but also in activities promoting equal treatment, which were important to her. In 2005-2012, she served as dean of the faculty, was a member of the Central Commission for Degrees and Titles, and a member of the University of Gdańsk Council. She is currently the chair of the Biotechnology Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the president of the Board of the Prof. Wacław Szybalski Foundation.
‘Prof. Ewa Łojkowska's activities in the field of gender equality and equal treatment of academics deserve special attention. Not only has she actively supported the scientific development of women by serving as president of the L'Oreal UNESCO programme for women and science for many years, but she was also chair of the committee that prepared the report ‘Women in Science at the University of Gdańsk’. She also developed the Gender Equality Plan for the University of Gdańsk, which is a necessary document for the university to be recognised as one that recognises equality issues,’ said the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, listing the scientist's numerous achievements.
‘I enjoy working with women and highly value their commitment and scientific passion. I believe that I am very familiar with the problems of combining professional work with family responsibilities,’ explained prof. Ewa Łojkowska in the publication ‘50 meetings for the 50th anniversary of the University of Gdańsk’ about her involvement in activities promoting women's equality.
At the end of the ceremony, she emphasised how important the University of Gdańsk is to her: ‘I have always travelled a lot, but I have always returned to Gdańsk with great pleasure. The Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology is my place in life and I have truly been able to fulfil myself here.’
We congratulate prof. Ewa Łojkowska on receiving the title and wish her continued success.
