Monika M. Kaczmarek

Prof. Monika M. Kaczmarek, a professor at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, specializes in the molecular aspects of reproduction, with a particular focus on diet-mediated programming. Her research explores the intricate mechanisms of embryo-maternal interactions across various species, from fruit flies to humans. Kaczmarek's current work, supported by an OPUS grant, investigates the role of leptin in intergenerational programming of reproductive performance. With a background in biotechnology and a career spanning from her Ph.D. in 2004 to full professorship in 2018, Kaczmarek leads the Molecular Biology Laboratory at her institute and has held positions at other prestigious institutions. Her research, published in renowned journals and recognized by scientific foundations, bridges fundamental molecular biology with practical applications in animal and human reproduction. As an educator and science communicator, Kaczmarek engages with both academic and public audiences, sharing her expertise through courses, TEDx talks, and children's science programs, thus contributing significantly to the field of reproductive biology and its broader understanding.