Nearly one hundred outstanding representatives of the scientific and higher education community received the Minister's Awards yesterday during the Polish Science Gala.
The awards are presented in five categories:
- Scientific activity
- Teaching activity
- Implementation activity
- Organizational activity
- Lifetime achievement
Scientific Activity Award
The award in the scientific activity category was granted to researchers from the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy:
- Prof. Piotr Oleśkowicz-Popiel
- Dr. Eng. Mateusz Łężyk
- Dr. Eng. Filip Brodowski
- Dr. Eng. Anna Duber
- Dr. Natalia Gutowska
Their research team, BioRef, led by Prof. Oleśkowicz-Popiel, focuses on developing new technologies for converting a wide range of waste and wastewater-derived substrates into biochemicals and biofuels. The newly developed processes can be applied in wastewater treatment plants, municipal waste management systems, farms, and food processing plants.
The core of BioRef's research lies in fermentation processes using open (mixed) microbial cultures.
Implementation Activity Award
The award in the implementation activity category was granted to researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering:
- Assoc. Prof. Filip Górski
- Dr. Eng. Przemysław Zawadzki
- Dr. Eng. Damian Grajewski
- MSc. Eng. Paweł Buń
- MSc. Eng. Radosław Paszkiewicz
- MSc. Eng. Jakub Gapsa
The award was given for the development and implementation of a unique national-level IT system with international recognition – the EO-VR Training Application by Enea Operator, which uses virtual reality (VR) in a fully immersive mode to train technical staff.
The system’s implementation leader at Enea Operator is Prof. Krzysztof Walczak from the Poznan University of Economics and Business.
Prof. Filip Górski explains:
“Enea’s electrical technicians can now learn how to perform switching operations or live-line work using goggles and controllers, in a well-controlled, safe, yet realistic environment. The system is currently in continuous use and is still being developed.”
The awards were presented by Minister of Science and Higher Education Marcin Kulasek and Undersecretary of State Maria Mrówczyńska.
Congratulations to all the laureates!
Photos: Torun City Hall
