I began my scientific journey in Prof. Zofia Szweykowska-Kulinska's laboratory at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland, where I explored miRNA biogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana for my BSc and MSc theses. I earned the degree in Biotechnology in 2012. I then pursued a PhD in Biochemistry at the same university under the mentorship of Prof. Mikołaj Olejniczak, investigating the interactions between bacterial small RNAs and the chaperone protein Hfq. I completed my PhD in 2017.

After completing my PhD, I joined Prof. Sarah Woodson’s lab at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, to further investigate Hfq-RNA interactions using single-molecule techniques. In September 2022, I launched my lab, where we study RNA-protein interactions in bacterial RNA targeting, degradation, and translation. We employ various techniques, including in vivo fluorescence assays, biochemical assays, and single-molecule TIRF microscopy. Our lab is also passionate about understanding phages and their relationships with bacterial hosts through transcriptomic and mass spectrometry studies.

The first important occurrence in my life was the fact I was born. Some years later, I got myself in this whole biology business. I started with effort to understand replication of two plasmids from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Then, during my PhD I was introduced to the wonderful world of small RNAs, when I tried to elucidate the role of the small RNA GraL and its role in regulation of GreA protein. Now I am preoccupied with the mechanisms of recognition between sRNAs and mRNAs and how it all fits into degradation machinery of the cell. Throw on some translation in the mixand it forms complicated mess of cellular interactions and regulations that one day may be untangled. I hope to contribute to this achievement.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been interested in biology and wanted to purse a career in medical field. Upon discovering how fascinating laboratory work can be, I applied to Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology at University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk. My Bachelor thesis concerned antibacterial properties of Pseudomonas donghuensis and my Master’s explored this topic further, focusing on Type VI Secretion System. In addition to my studies, I also completed two internships: one in the Institute of Oceanology (Polish Academy of Science) and the other in the Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds (UG), where I was then employed and assisted with projects exploring interactions between silver nanoparticles and naphthoquinones.

Hi, I’m Aiswarya, a microbiologist from Kerala, India. I’m deeply fascinated by the world of microbes, especially the ones that cause infectious diseases and how they interact with our cells on a molecular level. Research, to me, is a beautiful mix of curiosity, patience, and problem-solving, a journey where every answer leads to new questions.

Honestly, I find doing a PCR and baking a cake surprisingly similar. You add the right ingredients, set the right conditions, incubate and then wait with hope. Sometimes you get a perfect result (yay, cake!), and sometimes… well, you cry and try again. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy cooking, gardening, and spending time with animals, especially helping with rescues.

I hold a bachelor's degree in biotechnology from the University of Lodz and am currently pursuing a master's degree in biology at the same institution. Since March 2025, I have been serving as a Laboratory Manager, where I am responsible for overseeing the procurement of essential supplies and integrating technical expertise with organizational skills. My role involves ensuring the efficient operation of the laboratory by providing technical, logistical, and administrative support. My journey with Ewelina's team commenced in September 2023 when I joined as a Senior Laboratory Technician. In this capacity, I was tasked with preparing and sterilizing various solid and liquid media, culturing competent bacteria, and maintaining laboratory equipment. In addition to my professional commitments, I engage in reading, skiing, and playing board games during my leisure time.

I’m interested in phage microbiology and the molecular mechanisms that drive evolution. I graduated from the Warsaw University of Technology (Biotechnology, 2023) and am currently pursuing my M.D. at the Medical University of Warsaw.

Previously, I have participated in research projects at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (2019-2022), Warsaw University of Technology (2022-2023), and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (summer 2022) and the University of Chicago (2023-2025). My biggest research achievement so far was reconstituting and determining multiprotein signaling complex that play crucial role in nervous system development in C. elegans. In Ewelina’s lab, I hope to expand my protein science experience by exploring protein-RNA interactions. These days, my research interests oscillate between molecular evolution and microbiology - I’m fascinated by how molecular systems adapt, interact, and evolve over time, especially in the context of phage–host co-evolution. In my free time, I enjoy good coffee, baking, and pizza.

When I was 11, I already knew I wanted to become a scientist and was fascinated by biological mechanisms, especially those occurring inside the human body. My family wanted me to become a doctor and was quite disappointed when I chose biotechnology instead:-) It turned out to be the perfect choice for me, though. At the University I especially loved bacteria, I believe they’re fascinating and can be used in thousands of different ways in medical research (we just need to find out how).

In my Bachelor's thesis, carried out at the University of Warsaw, I focused on identifying functional transposons in the genome of pathogenic Enterobacter bacteria. This year, I completed  summer internship at the IIMCB and got the opportunity to continue my research in Ewelina’s lab as my Master’s thesis project. My topic focuses on bacteriophages and their interactions with bacterial hosts — which, to be honest, sounds a lot like dark magic to my friends :-)

I received my engineering degree in Animal Bioengineering from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) in 2024, and I obtained my master’s degree in the same field in July 2025. Since June 2025, I have been working as a Laboratory Technician. I am responsible for preparing and sterilizing various solid and liquid media, culturing competent bacteria, maintaining laboratory equipment, keeping the lab clean and sterile, and ensuring that my teammates have everything they need to work efficiently.