"The Voice of Science" is a podcast series designed to popularize various fields of knowledge. Across six episodes, scientists from Maria Curie-Sklodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin – renowned for their discoveries and achievements both in Poland and internationally – will present their research in an engaging and accessible manner.
Our guest in this episode is prof. Wiesław Gruszecki – Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation and Head of the Department of Biophysics at the Institute of Physics. He talks to us about what biophysicists do, shares insights from his research on plant photosynthesis and the role of the yellow spot in the human eye, and explains what is the importance of grants in a scientist's work.
Photo: Bartosz Proll
Prof. Wiesław Gruszecki – graduate of higher education in physics (1984). He obtained his doctorate from UMCS in 1986, his postdoctoral degree from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków in 1993, and the Full Professor title from the President of the Republic of Poland in 1999. He completed long-term internships abroad in Canada, the USA, Germany, and Switzerland. In 2006–2008, he was the Director of the Institute of Physics at UMCS, and since 2006 he has been the Head of the Department of Biophysics. In 2011–2013, he was the president of the Main Board of the Polish Biophysical Society. Corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences. Since 2020, he has been the Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation at UMCS. Winner of many grant programs of the National Science Center and the Foundation for Polish Science. Expert of domestic and foreign bodies assessing applications for funding of scientific research. Author of numerous scientific works in the field of biophysics (approx. 250 articles) cited over 4600 times (H-index = 42). Awarded with the Silver Cross of Merit, Medal of the National Education Commission, and Silver Medal "Meritorious for Polish Science Sapientia et Veritas". Apart from science, prof. Wiesław Gruszecki is passionate about music and visual arts. He is a frequent guest at the best theatre and opera performances.
"The Voice of Science" podcast series was produced as part of the project "The Power of Relations – Activities Aimed at Strengthening the Potential of UMCS in Serving Foreign Students". This initiative is financed by the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) under the NAWA Welcome to Poland Program.
