The City of Gdańsk Jan Uphagen Prizes for Young Scientists in both categories went to researchers from the University of Gdańsk! The winners were dr Sylwia Klińska-Bąchor from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG (in the category of exact and natural sciences) and mgr Jurand Sobiecki, MA, from the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Gdańsk (in the category of humanities and social sciences). The jury appreciated dr Sylwia Klińska-Bąchor's research on the influence of specific enzymes on the adaptation of plants to changing environmental conditions. Jurand Sobiecki, mgr, was recognised for his interdisciplinary approach (combining perspectives from, among others, intercultural psychology, psychology of religion and microbiology) to research on mental well-being and the formation of social attitudes.

The Jan Uphagen Prize has been awarded since 2004 by the Mayor of Gdańsk at the request of the Prize Committee, composed of the Presidents of the Gdańsk Branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Gdańsk Scientific Society, the rectors of state universities in Gdańsk and a representative of Gdańsk's non-public universities. The award is granted to young scientists (up to 30 years of age) who are students or graduates of Gdańsk universities for outstanding scientific achievements in one of two categories: exact and natural sciences, and humanities and social sciences.

The awards for 2024 were presented on 7 November 2025 during a ceremony at the Uphagen House. The winners received them from the Mayor of Gdańsk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz.

‘I am proud that you are with us. I am glad that you work in Gdańsk, broaden your horizons and cross boundaries to use your knowledge for the common good,’ said the Mayor. 'Gdańsk is strong because of its citizens. A word to your loved ones and teachers: behind every winner are people who support, motivate and love them. Thank you for your presence and support - without you, this journey would have been more difficult. Young scientists, I bow to your talent and diligence. I applaud the universities that give you freedom to conduct research. On behalf of the community of Gdańsk, I ask for more!'

The laudation for the award in the natural and exact sciences category was delivered by prof. Antoni Banaś, and in the humanities and social sciences category - by dr Ilona Poćwierz-Marciniak.

Exact and natural sciences

The scientific work of dr Sylwia Klińska-Bąchor focuses on two areas of research. The first is the study of the physiological role of enzymes involved in plant lipid metabolism and the determination of their impact on the ability of plants to adapt to environmental stress conditions, such as extreme temperatures, drought or flooding. This research is particularly important in the context of ongoing climate change. The second area of interest for the laureate is the reconstruction of the biosynthesis pathway of long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids in plant organisms - she has also achieved significant success in this area, identifying new, effective combinations of enzymes that catalyse the biosynthesis of these compounds.

Dr Sylwia Klińska-Bąchor is also involved in numerous initiatives promoting science, such as Biologists' Night, BioTech Week and Pomeranian Researchers' Night.

‘The Jan Uphagen Prize of the City of Gdańsk is an extraordinary honour and recognition of my hard work, as well as a great motivation to continue my scientific career,’ says the scientist. 'I am glad that my research on plant biotechnology, with particular emphasis on plant lipid metabolism, has been recognised. I believe that supporting young scientists in the early stages of their careers is extremely important because it helps them build confidence and believe that the career path they have chosen - a scientific career - is the right one. Both social and financial support are crucial, as they allow you to carry out your research in comfort. In addition, recognition of our work through various awards and distinctions gives us the strength and motivation to continue, because, as we know, a scientific career is not only about success, but above all about numerous challenges.'

Dr Sylwia Klińska-Bąchor is a graduate of the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG. She currently works as an assistant professor at the Department of Plant Biochemistry and is the manager of a project funded under the NSC OPUS 26 competition ‘The influence of acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine (LPCAT) acetyl transferases on the growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana under standard conditions and under abiotic stress conditions’. The results of her research have been published in 12 scientific articles in international journals (she is the first author in seven of them and the corresponding author in five) and presented at 32 conference presentations. The international recognition of her work is evidenced by her significant reviewing activity, which is remarkable at this stage of her career.

Humanities and social sciences

Mgr Jurand Sobiecki is not only a psychologist but also a medical biologist. In his scientific and teaching work, he applies an interdisciplinary approach, often transcending the boundaries of traditional fields of science and going beyond the combination of areas that usually cooperate with each other. He is currently a participant in the Doctoral School at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Gdańsk and an assistant at the Department of Neuropsychology of the Institute of Psychology of the University of Gdańsk.

His research activity focuses on projects in the field of intercultural and social psychology, in particular on issues related to gender roles, interpersonal relationships and religiosity. He works in large, international research teams. In his latest work, he undertakes interdisciplinary attempts to combine both areas of his interests and his comprehensive training, investigating the relationship between the gut microbiome and mental well-being and social attitudes. He is currently the project manager of ‘Investigating the role of religious affiliation and gender in the relationship between religiosity and beliefs supporting social inequalities’, funded by a grant from the NSC PRELUDIUM 22 competition, in which he conducts advanced meta-analyses in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and analyses mechanisms and groups that have not yet been explored.

In the field of teaching and science popularisation, Jurand Sobiecki stands out as an inspiring mentor and educator. As the founder of the English-language SciClub research club, he engages people from the University of Gdańsk and international exchange students in interdisciplinary research projects and organises educational workshops to popularise knowledge about mental well-being. His innovative teaching methods, such as gamification, increase engagement and inspire young people to explore science. He has also introduced a new course, Gut Microbiome and Well-being, which is very popular among students.

‘Receiving the Jan Uphagen Prize from the City of Gdańsk is a great honour for me and a huge motivation to continue my work,’ said mgr Jurand Sobiecki. 'My research currently focuses on the biological basis of psychosocial functioning, and the most important thing for me is to develop my students and build an interdisciplinary environment within SciClub. I am very grateful to the University of Gdańsk for the opportunities that have facilitated my development and helped me build a sense of agency.'

We invite you to read the report from the event and view the photo gallery on the City of Gdańsk website.