UPWr Doctoral School – Window to the World

Jessica Brzezowska, from the Leading Research Group of functional foods of plant origin "plants4FOOD", has just finished her evaluation. She admits that it was a stressful experience - she had just a few minutes to present two years of work on her doctorate. She was sure that it would be in the form of an exam, but the evaluation committee listened with interest and appreciation to what she had achieved so far, how she assessed the progress of her research work and what she has planned for the coming two years, in which she will be completing her dissertation, before defending it.

– I joined the Doctoral School via the normal recruitment process. The most important part was the interview, during which, just like now during the evaluation, I had a chance to present my idea for the doctorate and my plan for the next four years," says Jessica Brzezowska, who was encouraged to engage in scientific work by the supervisor of her thesis, Prof. Anna Michalska-Ciechanowska. The doctoral student admits that knowing your supervisor beforehand is an ideal scenario, because in scientific work, as in any other, interpersonal relations are also important.

– Relations are important, which is evident in my case," emphasises Jessica Brzezowska, adding that equally important is the fact that her first year at the Doctoral School was included in the program POWER 3.5 UPWr 2.0 – an international and interdisciplinary development program of the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław, in which a doctoral student is guaranteed an additional scholarship, funds for participation in scientific conferences, research, publication fees and above all a one-year internship abroad. This not only gives you a sense of comfort in your work, but also differentiates the Doctoral School from the doctoral studies still being conducted under the previous mode. Additionally, in the PRELUDIUM 18 program for doctoral students, organised by the National Science Centre, Jessica received a grant for research on the influence of natural additives on the formation of Maillard reaction and caramelisation products and on the biological properties of fruit powders. Research conducted as part of a project financed by the UPWr, awarded under the Innovative Doctorate program, focused on the design of fruit and vegetable powders fortified with extracts from medicinal plants with targeted health-promoting properties. As part of her doctoral dissertation entitled "Development of plant-based powders quality in terms of thermolability of bioactive compounds and formation of Maillard reaction/caramelisation products", Jessica also cooperated as part of the Polish-Swiss ALPHORN project and the FERBLEND project under the supervision of Prof. Michalska-Ciechanowska.

– Food technology is currently entering a new area related to the biological properties of plant powders, not only fruit powders, but also vegetable powders or those obtained with the addition of herbs. We focus on keeping as much from the initial product as possible, but also on shaping the quality, including individual properties, through the use of various drying methods and the use of numerous natural additives, including functional ones. We also know that harmful substances can appear in powdered raw materials as a result of reactions that are often undesirable in plant products, such as the Maillard reaction and caramelisation. It is important to have control over the entire process – explains Jessica Brzezowska, admitting that if she were to define what she does, she would say that she tries to design the quality of plant powders through selected processes and their parameters.

– What's interesting about my doctorate are the opportunities the School provides, and these offer great scope for self-realisation and testing myself in new challenges, often involving leaving my comfort zone, but leading to exciting results. The same applies to the opportunity to carry out my own scientific projects, which I have been able to obtain from internal as well as external sources. They are a tool to turn an interesting idea into concrete results – says Jessica, adding that all this would not have been possible were it not for the enormous support of her supervisor, who often believes in her more than she does herself.

– The feeling that someone is supporting me gives me incredible comfort and enhances the outcome of my work. She has a special approach and has a lot to offer to young people at the beginning of their career. That's how it was in my case. I couldn't see myself in industry, and thanks to Professor Michalska-Ciechanowska I discovered science, which is where I see my future – admits the doctoral student.

IIDS – LRG – DS

The Doctoral School of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences has already completed three recruitment processes. In the recruitment for the academic year 2021/2022 a total of 30 students were accepted (excluding doctoral students who will be accepted into Prelude Bis projects dedicated to doctoral schools and other projects providing a doctoral student with a scholarship for a minimum of 36 months), including nine people from abroad. Candidates from India and Cameroon were accepted for the disciplines of agriculture and horticulture, from Nigeria for veterinary medicine, from Indonesia for food and nutrition technology, from Iran for animal science and fisheries, from the Philippines for biological sciences, as well as for environmental engineering, mining and energy. Two students from Algeria and Vietnam will pursue doctorates within the discipline of biological sciences. In the first year, the Doctoral School admitted 27 doctoral students, while in the second – 32.

Professor Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak, director of the Doctoral School: – The school has only been running for two years. The third recruitment process is now behind us, so we will soon be able to assess how successful it was. At the moment, I can say that not all the scientists have got used to the new formula, but more and more people are beginning to understand what both the Doctoral School and doctoral student education are all about. We are moving towards a student-master relationship in which we work together, develop together and the success of my student is my success.

The idea of doctoral schools first appeared with the Act 2.0, but the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences was already preparing to implement it when the current rector, Prof. Jarosław Bosy, became Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations. At the time, a group of five people headed by the current Vice-Rector for Science, Prof. Aneta Wojdyło, started a project called the International Interdisciplinary Doctoral School – and it was from the IIDS that the Doctoral School was created.

Katarzyna Krauzy-Dziedzic, director of the Research Department: – The launch of IIDS was possible thanks to the acquired POWER 3.5 project, which gave us funds for research, internships, trips to conferences, publication fees and additional scholarships for doctoral students. An important part of the change in the way we think about science and educating young researchers was our participation in the "BioSciUniversity" project related to the preparations for the Initiative of Excellence – Research University competition, as well as the appointment of Leading Research Teams. These are actually three inseparable elements: IIIDS – IDUB – LRT, which create a new level of quality.

The Director of the Science Department admits that the formation of the LRT and the Doctoral School was a milestone in the development of the university, because structural and organisational changes are followed by mental changes.

– Of course, the new structure is either accepted or not, but it is much more difficult to change the mindset of the academic community, as this requires time, determination and a systematic approach – admits Katarzyna Krauzy-Dziedzic, while Prof. Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak explains what the Doctoral School has really changed. For example, in veterinary medicine, where she is the leader of Animal Diseases Leading Research Team – there were a dozen doctoral students on each year studying Translational Research (AnimalTrans), while currently as part of the regular recruitment from all disciplines in the School there are 30 people.

– This means that we are moving away from mass doctoral education towards elitism and quality, showing a change in the mindset. It is no longer the supervisors who look for doctoral students for a topic they have come up with, but the doctoral students themselves choose a supervisor who will provide them with more than the topic itself, i.e. funding for research and a guarantee that it will later be published. In short, the supervisor must put more effort into finding a good candidate for the Doctoral School and prepare them for scientific work that will last four years – says Prof. Noszczyk-Nowak, admitting that the School is constantly undergoing review and changes. For example, the rules were changed between the first and second recruitment process. Initially, the ranking was a single list with no division into disciplines, but it then became apparent that there was little balance between the various disciplines, and yet the aim was not to only have veterinary, biology or waste management graduates.

– In such a scenario some disciplines would simply not have a chance to develop. This is why we have introduced a ranking, with three places guaranteed per discipline, two for Poles and one for a foreign doctoral student. During the first recruitment we had an additional benefit, i.e. the POWER program that guaranteed funding for research, obligatory one-year internships and trips to conferences. Both Polish and foreign doctoral students took advantage of it. The Covid year was more difficult, seeing fewer applications from abroad. The School's students also felt the changes, such as conferences, which are so important for networking, being held online, but this year we not only filled the guaranteed seven places, but also recruited nine foreigners - says Prof. Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak. And she lists another change that distinguishes the Doctoral School: it is the doctoral student that is first to publish the research they are working on. Their supervisor is the co-author, making sure that the research is carried out correctly, supervising the methodology, etc., but the burden of the publication and the ownership of the results rests with the doctoral student.

The supervisor is the face of the school

They are the ones responsible for attracting candidates to the Doctoral School with their achievements, publications, citations, and doctoral dissertation topics.

Professor Magdalena Szymura, a member of the Scientific Council of the Doctoral School and Innovative Agriculture and Horticulture Leading Research Group, is the supervisor of two doctoral students from abroad. Chathura Perera was looking for a topic related to the biology of weeds. He found an article by a scientist from the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, who deals with invasive species and weeds. After an exchange of emails and an online interview, out of three options – because he could also have chosen doctoral studies at two universities in Asia – he chose the UPWr Doctoral School and Prof. Szymura as his supervisor. The academic year 2021/2022 will be his third year of studies, just like for Jessica Brzezowska, and likewise for Hassanala Mollashahi, who with together Prof. Szymura is analysing the possibilities of improving the quality of ecosystem services provided by urban greenery, focusing his work on low greenery, i.e. urban grasslands. The research includes lawns, roadside greenery and wasteland, which form an important part of a city's green infrastructure as both a habitat and migration routes for plant and animal species associated with the urban landscape.

– The way Chathura and Hassanali found our School shows how much science has changed, or rather the flow of information in science. They both searched the Internet, and the key aspects behind choosing their doctoral dissertation turned out to be topics that interest them, and this shows that today science is truly global – smiles Prof. Magdalena Szymura, adding that Chathura Perera already has specific plans for what he will do after his doctorate (on top of returning to Sri Lanka, where he will continue his scientific work).

Perera's second supervisor is Prof. Vilém Pavlu from the Faculty of Ecology at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. The doctoral student of Prof. Szymura is planning a six-month internship at his laboratory, where he wants to join a research group dealing with sustainable meadow management and methods of supporting biodiversity. He would like to complete the second part of his year-long internship in the United States, working on allelopathy under the supervision of Prof. Franck E. Dayan from the Weed Research Laboratory at Colorado State University (where he was introduced by Prof. Józef Sowiński).

– Hassanali Mollashahi's second supervisor is Prof. Stefano Macolino from the University of Padua, where he completed his second master's thesis in sustainable agriculture. This is the best way to build an international cooperation network, as it lets you get to know people while working on specific projects. After defending their doctorates these young people will move on, but they will take with them more than just the skills and knowledge gained at our Doctoral School. They will also have a lot of contacts, which is one of the most important things for a scientist today – emphasises Prof. Szymura, adding that the School is a great challenge not only for the young scientists who are looking for an interesting topic and making their mark in science, but also for their supervisors. Apart from being active and committed, they must also obtain grants for projects implemented at the Doctoral School and have the courage to "lead" a good doctoral student.

We are not currently evaluating supervisors for the Doctoral School. Interest in acting as a supervisor for 4 years for a doctoral student is made by issuing a request. The request includes the proposed topic of the doctoral thesis, the supervisor presents their most recent achievements, mainly project-related, as they have to show how their doctoral student's research will be financed.

The director of the Doctoral School also emphasises that the promoters' requests are approved by discipline councils – the studies take place at the School, but the defence of the doctorate takes place at discipline level. Therefore, the Doctoral School Council asks the discipline councils for their feedback on the presented topics, whether they are attractive, innovative, and also whether they use appropriate research methodologies. After the topics have been approved, the process of searching for a candidate begins. What's important, the supervisor may, after preliminary talks with the candidates, sign one letter of acceptance in which they express their will to cooperate.

– We currently have a much larger number of supervisors willing to lead doctoral students within the School than free spaces, so the supervisor and student apply as a team working together. The recruitment committee evaluates the latter, but it is also important whether the supervisor and the doctoral student had cooperated before, for example on their master's thesis, whether the candidate has published their thesis, whether they had been on a foreign or domestic internship, participated in scientific conferences – lists Prof. Noszczyk-Nowak, admitting that at the Doctoral School the bar was deliberately set high, as the School is looking for young scientists, which is the priority.

In an interview with “Głos Uczelni” after receiving his Belvedere Professor nomination, Professor Andrzej Białowiec, leader of the Waste and Biomass Valorisation Group (WBVG) and head of the Department of Applied Bioeconomy (DAB), who is also one of the most 'popular' supervisors, made no secret of the fact that science is project driven. He made his postdoctoral degree at the University of Cardiff, where he spent 18 months. He had a chance to observe the differences between universities in Poland and in the West, where smaller, more flexible research groups are the norm, and are able to quickly move on to another issue. The main focus is on results, i.e. publications and implemented projects. If a professor does not have a project, then they get no funding and no research group, i.e. doctoral and postdoctoral students. The professor – who is the team leader, is responsible for their team, because any further funds depend on this.

The first doctoral student of Prof. Białowiec as part of the Doctoral School is Karolina Sobieraj, who, thanks to the POWER 3.5 program, is participating in training and workshops, while next year (if the pandemic situation permits) she will be preparing for a one-year internship at Iowa State University, where she plans to conduct research with her second supervisor, Jacek Koziel – which will significantly enrich her achievements and skills. Last year, the professor accepted a doctoral student from Nigeria and a doctoral student for the Preludium Bis project (cooperation which he highly appreciates). Both Waheed Rasaq and Ewa Syguła are making great progress in their scientific work. From the first year of their doctorates they have been actively publishing in journals and involved in the work of the WBVG and the "life" DAB. They are open-minded, gifted and very helpful. This year, Prof. Andrzej Białowiec plans to establish cooperation with a doctoral student from the Philippines, as well as once again accept a doctoral student as part of the Preludium Bis 2 and implementation doctorate program.

– I am very fond of the model in which I participated myself at Iowa State University. I had various tasks there, one of them was caring for a freshman. The ISU has a program that engages students in academic work. Students can apply for a minigrant, and if they are chosen they get a few hundred dollars per semester, e.g. for covering the costs of analyses, and therefore for experiments. With one of the students, Samuel O'Brien, we have started work on modelling the bioethanol production process, and more specifically improving energy efficiency. Over the course of several months, based on tutoring, we developed a certain model together. I then returned to Poland, and after a few months with him and a team from the ISU we published our work. In the second year we published more work – says Professor Białowiec, who has a doctoral student from the USA at the UPWr Doctoral School. He is his second supervisor at the ISU, the first being Prof. Koziel. Baitong Chen is from China and is working on a project called "Solving livestock odor problems –Evaluation of surficial additives for mitigation of gaseous emissions from deep pit swine storage structures".

– When I was at the ISU, Baitong was still a graduate student and involved me in his research. I assisted him with olfactometric analyses. Additionally, during weekly seminars, I did my best to help him with his work. In May 2019, following a decision by the Faculty Council of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, I was admitted as an Associate Member of the Faculty – Affiliate Associate Professor. This gave me the right to be a supervisor of masters and doctoral students. I can also sit on the examination committees of master's and doctoral defenses. This formally opened up the possibility of cooperation in promoting a doctoral student – Professor Andrzej Białowiec explains today, adding that Baitong Chen's doctoral thesis is being carried out as a publication. The defense is already scheduled for November this year.

This year, the leader of a Leading Research Group, has already had approx. 20 inquiries regarding doctorates in environmental engineering, mostly from abroad, which proves that the subject of research in this discipline is both interesting and up-to-date. – And since there is a lot of interest from foreigners in our Doctoral School, the offer of English-speaking courses should be expanded – adds Prof. Białowiec.

Everyone can learn something.

The Doctoral School is a kind of testing ground not only for doctoral students, but also for their supervisors. As its director, Prof. Noszczyk-Nowak, emphasises, no one had any doubts that in the student-master set up, soft skills related to building a team and team work are important.

– Hence the decision to train our Council and supervisors in tutoring. For eight consecutive Fridays, eight hours in a row, 16 people took classes at the tutor school at Collegium Wratislaviensis, not only to improve their competences but also pass on the knowledge they had gained to their doctoral students, who will also be building research teams in the future - says the Doctoral School's director, adding that there are plans to introduce tutoring as optional classes for doctoral students and training for a further 18 supervisors.

- Our strength and support are the Leading Research Groups, in essence the same people are leaders of the Leading Research Groups, members of the Doctoral School Council and supervisors. We talk to each other, we work on all our plans and strategies together, you could say that we shape the future not only of these young people, but most of the whole university, for which taking part in the Research University Excellence Initiative was the beginning of a new era - admits Prof. Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak.

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Doctoral student voucher

Since 2020 the Doctoral School of the UPWr has been offering a doctoral student voucher – 20 thousand zlotys to start research, as a pilot project to assess whether the doctoral concept is feasible. Funding for research can also be obtained from one of the National Science Centre programs – Preludium BIS or OPUS, which guarantee financing for 36 months.