PAS researchers awarded with FNP Prizes
Two PAS researchers, Prof. Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology and Prof. Grzegorz Pietrzyński from the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, were among the laureates of the 2021 Foundation for Polish Science Prizes. The FNP Prizes, widely recognized as the Poland’s most prestigious distinctions, were awarded for the 30th time.
Prof. Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek and Prof. Grzegorz Pietrzyński, source of photo: Foundation for Polish Science
Professor Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek from the M. Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences received the 2021 FNP Prize in the area of life and earth sciences for the discovery of mechanisms that cause malignant gliomas to reprogram immune cells in such a way that they support the development of these brain tumors.
The laureate specializes in molecular biology and neurobiology, is the head of the new Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology at the Nencki Institute and the director of the Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine Study at the Medical University of Warsaw, and a correspondent member of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Prof. Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek runs pioneer research on the impact of brain tumors on the local immune system. She discovered the mechanisms by which cells of the immune system, both those residing in the brain (microglia) and those migrating from the blood, instead of destroying glioblastoma (a brain tumor), support its development. Her achievements contributed to the development of advanced therapies in the treatment of gliomas and may give rise to further research into a variety of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.
Professor Grzegorz Pietrzyński from the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences received the 2021 FNP Prize in the area of mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences for the precise distance determination to the Large Magellanic Cloud.
He leads the international project Araucaria, which aims to improve calibration of the extragalactic distance scale. He is an outstanding researcher in the field of observational astrophysics and a world expert in the field of cosmic distance measurements. The laureate managed to measure the distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud (the closest galaxy to the Milky Way and the most important cosmic distance scale ladder) with an exceptional accuracy of 1%. The distance to the LMC is currently the basis for determinations of the Hubble constant using supernovae. Prof. Pietrzyński is also the first Pole to receive an ERC Synergy grant to build a telescope for more precise measurement of the Universe.
Other laureates
Professor Jacek Jemielity from the Centre of New Technologies at the University of Warsaw received the 2021 FNP Prize in the area of chemistry and materials sciences for developing chemical modifications of mRNA as tools for therapeutic applications and studies on cellular processes. Prof. Jemielity was a guest at "Coronavirus in the Crosshairs" a program of weekly meetings organized by the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Copernicus Science Center.
Professor Cezary Cieślinski from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Warsaw received the 2021 FNP Prize in the area of humanities and social sciences for solving the key problems of the deflationary theory of truth.
FNP Prizes
The FNP Prizes have been awarded since 1992 to Polish scholars in recognition of scientific achievements in four separate areas. They are awarded to distinguish research and discoveries for special achievements and scientific discoveries that shift the boundaries of human understanding, open new research perspectives, contribute significantly to the advancement of civilization and culture in Poland and help ensure that the country will take a prominent position in coping with the most ambitious challenges of the modern world.
So far, 110 scientists have been awarded the FNP Prizes. Candidates for this award are nominated by outstanding representatives of science invited by the foundation's management board and council. The FNP Council acts as the jury of the competition and selects the winners on the basis of the opinions of independent experts and reviewers – mainly from abroad – assessing the candidates' achievements.
The awards ceremony will be held on December 7, 2021 and will be broadcast online.
Source of information: Foundation for Polish Science
