Olga Pietrzyk from the Neuroplasticity and Metabolism Research Group, led by Dr. Witold Konopka, has been awarded the Fulbright Junior Research Award for 2025–2026. She will spend 10 months at Stanford University School of Medicine in the United States, carrying out a research project at one of the most prestigious scientific institutions in the world.
The Fulbright Program enables PhD students from Polish research institutions to conduct their own research at American universities and research institutes. Olga Pietrzyk will investigate how cells make growth decisions in response to signals such as nutrients and hormones, and how disruptions in these processes can lead to diseases, such as cancer.
“I deliberately chose to apply for the Fulbright Program because I wanted to work with scientists who are shaping the global direction of cell biology and metabolism,” says Olga. “Stanford is one of the best places in the world to gain that kind of knowledge.”
Olga is pursuing her PhD at the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on AAV vectors, used among other things in neurobiology and gene therapy. The goal of her work is to develop a tool that enables the precise delivery of genetic material to specific groups of nerve cells, with potential applications in treating neurological disorders.
The scholarship is an opportunity for her to develop new skills and learn advanced techniques for working with cells and proteins, which Olga plans to apply in her future research after returning to Poland.
The Fulbright application process was multi-stage and required writing an original research proposal and attending an interview with the Selection Committee. “The most difficult part for me was writing the personal statement – a personal story explaining what motivates me to pursue scientific research and why this trip is important to me,” she recalls.
The Fulbright Program also places strong emphasis on cultural exchange and learning about American culture. “I’ve already been to a conference in Boston, and now I’m excited to explore other parts of the U.S. I hope to really get to know California,” adds Olga.
When asked what advice she would give to other young researchers considering applying for the Fulbright, she says: “I spent a long time debating whether to apply because, due to the program’s high prestige, I was afraid I wouldn’t stand a chance against the competition. But I made it through several stages of recruitment, and now I have not only a huge opportunity for my scientific career but also a great adventure ahead of me. My advice to anyone interested in the Fulbright scholarship – don’t be afraid to try. It’s truly worth it.”
