International research internships supporting knowledge exchange, and experimental work within the INBIOWAL project
mobility
International mobility is a key component of the INBIOWAL project, supporting knowledge exchange, strengthening collaboration between partner institutions, and enabling researchers to carry out specialized experimental work. Within the project, staff members, PhD candidates, and students participate in short- and medium-term research internships across Europe and beyond.
These research stays contribute directly to the project’s work packages and often support the development of BSc, MSc and PhD theses.
Witold Gładkowski, Assoc. Prof.
Host institution: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta” (CNR-SCITEC), Italy
Duration: 4 Nov – 6 Dec 2024 and 10 Jan – 10 Feb 2025
Dr. Gładkowski carried out research activities within WP6, focusing on enzymatic and chemo-enzymatic transformations of fatty acids. The internship enabled advanced analytical work and strengthened cooperation with Italian partners.
Oliwia Pomarańska, BSc
Host institution: Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), Italy
Duration: 20 Nov – 20 Dec 2024 and 13 Jan – 12 Feb 2025
As a part of WP7, O. Pomarańska performed research on using lipases to esterification and transesterification processes. She was involved in optimizing immobilized lipases for continuous-flow reactor systems to improve productivity and enzyme reuse.
Aleksandra Grudniewska, Assoc. Prof.
Host institution: University of Zagreb (UniZg), Croatia
Duration: 21 Jan – 25 Feb 2025
During the WP4-related internship, Dr. Grudniewska worked on green extraction techniques using deep eutectic solvents. The stay strengthened collaboration on sustainable processing of agro-industrial residues.
Anna Dunal, PhD student
Host institution: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta” (CNR-SCITEC), Italy
Duration: 31 Jan – 31 Mar 2025
Within WP6, A. Dunal conducted research on chemo-enzymatic transformations of unsaturated fatty acids. Her work contributed to the development of innovative lipid valorization pathways.
Abirami Baskaran, PhD student
Host institution: Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), Italy
Duration: 9 Jun – 31 Jul 2025
As part of WP7, A. Baskaran performed research on fungal and enzymatic processes for converting agro-industrial side-streams into valuable aroma compounds and pigments. The mobility facilitated shared methodological development between partners.
Marcelina Mazur, Assoc. Prof.
Host institution: University of Zagreb (UniZg), Croatia
Duration: 2 Jun – 18 Jul 2025
During her WP4-linked internship, Dr. Mazur collaborated on green extraction processes and characterization of plant-derived compounds. The stay supported joint work on environmentally friendly bioprocessing technologies.
Adam Głowacki, ....
Host institution: Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery (SCRR) at University of Borås (UB), Sweden
Duration: 17 Aug – 30 Sep 2025
Within WP5, A. Głowacki conducted research on microbial and enzymatic valorization of complex biomass feedstocks. The internship enhanced experimental capacity and fostered deeper cooperation with SCRR.
Witold Pietrzak, Assist. Prof.
Host institution: Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery (SCRR) at University of Borås (UB), Sweden
Duration: 17 Aug – 18 Nov 2025
As part of WP5, Dr. Pietrzak contributed to research on sustainable conversion of agro-industrial residues. His extended internship enabled comprehensive experimentation in process optimization and strain selection.
Ewa Kozłowska, Assist. Prof.
Host institution: University of Queensland (UQ), Australia
Duration: 16 Oct – 21 Dec 2025
During her research stay within WP8, Dr. Kozłowska collaborated with the University of Queensland team leading the work package focused on advanced enzyme engineering. WP8 aims to enhance enzyme stability and catalytic performance using state-of-the-art molecular engineering tools, including Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction (ASR).
Stefano Serra, PhD.
Host institution: Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr), Poland
Duration: 27 Sep – 11 Oct 2025
Dr. Serra collaborated with WP6 teams on fungal biotransformations, flavor compound synthesis and chemo-enzymatic processes. The visit reinforced scientific exchange between Italian and Polish partners.
Filip Boratyński, Assoc. Prof.
Host institution: University of Queensland (UQ), Australia
Duration: 1 Feb – 7 Feb 2026
Dr. Filip Boratyński conducted a study visit to the The University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology (QUT). During the visit, he participated in a series of meetings with academic staff and research teams at both institutions, delivered presentations on ongoing research activities, and engaged in discussions on potential areas of collaboration. The programme also included laboratory visits, presentations of research infrastructure and equipment, and campus tours, contributing to strengthening international relations and exploring opportunities for future joint research initiatives.
Weronika Rogowska, BSc
Host institution: Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), Italy
Duration: 9 Apr – 22 May 2026
During this internship under the guidance of Dr. Paola D’Arrigo, Weronika Rogowska focused on valorizing sunflower press cake and other food industry by-products using deep eutectic solvents (DES). The work involved optimizing protein extraction, isolating polysaccharides and lignin, and characterizing the obtained fractions using techniques including ¹³C NMR, GC-MS, UV-Vis, TLC and column chromatography.
Dr. Swarnima Agnihotri & Dr. Amir Mahboubi Soufiani, Assoc. Profs.
Host institution: Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr)
Duration: May 2026
As part of the INBIOWAL project, Dr. Swarnima Agnihotri, and Dr. Amir Mahboubi Soufiani, Associate Professors at SCRR, University of Borås, visited the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr). During the visit, they met with the UPWr research team and academic staff, presented their ongoing research, and exchanged expertise on innovative approaches to sustainable biomass conversion and biorefinery. The mobility also included laboratory visits, presentations of research infrastructure and equipment, and discussions on ongoing research activities and potential collaborative projects.
Abirami Baskaran, PhD student
Host institution: Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery (SCRR) at University of Borås (UB), Sweden
Duration: 1 June – 1 July 2026
During this academic exchange, Abirami Baskaran focused on the valorization of rapeseed cake through pretreatment technologies and fungal bioprocessing approaches. The internship was conducted at laboratory scale and involved both physicochemical treatment of rapeseed cake and evaluation of fungal growth on the resulting substrates.
Filip Boratyński, Assoc. Prof.
Host institution: University of İzmir, Türkiye
Duration: June 2026
Dr. Filip Boratyński visited Prof. Erdal Bedir at the University of İzmir to present the results of the INBIOWAL project and explore opportunities for new collaboration in biotransformation-related research. The visit included presentations introducing both research groups, laboratory visits, and a tour of the industrially oriented Bionorm Natural Products facility, which produces high-value natural products from plant sources. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen international connections, and discuss potential directions for future joint research and collaboration.
Filip Boratyński & Marcelina Mazur, Assoc. Profs.
Host institution: University of Zagreb, Croatia & University of Maribor, Slovenia
Duration: July 2026
Dr. Filip Boratyński and Dr. Marcelina Mazur visited the University of Zagreb, an INBIOWAL partner, and the University of Maribor, where they met with Prof. Aleksandra Petrovič. The visits strengthened scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange in deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and innovative extraction technologies. The partners also reviewed INBIOWAL achievements, particularly within WP4, and discussed future research collaborations and joint scientific activities to sustain and further develop the partnerships established through the project.