UPWr students granted with minister’s scholarships

Łukasz Sobol had just started his graduate studies a few days before. He chose Prof. Arkadiusz Dyjakon as his master’s supervisor, as it was under his wing that Łukasz began his scientific adventure during his engineering studies (he wrote his dissertation under the supervision of Prof. Karol Wolski, with whom he collaborated scientifically, preparing a publication for a journal called "Agronomia"). He doesn’t know what he’ll spend his scholarship on yet, but he sees his future in science. In his master's thesis, he intends to look at the possibilities of using biochar produced from agri-food industry waste as an addition to biofilters which will be able to minimize odors. As shown by recently published scientific research results, biochar reduces annoying odors, especially in livestock farming. It is in this direction that Łukasz Sobol plans his research, which will end with his master's thesis.

– Taking part in this competition to win the scholarship made my science research and publications a reality. I owe this success to prof. Dyjakon, who introduced me to the world of science when I signed up to the BioEnergia Students’ Scientific Society during the first year of my engineering studies. I started with student conferences, posters and papers, and worked my way up to publishing my work in serious magazines that score high on the Ministry of Science and Higher Education list, so I can honestly say he is a mentor to whom I owe very much – says Łukasz Sobol

He chose to study renewable energy and waste management because he was originally interested in wind power. However, today, after over three years of studies, he knows that he has more opportunities in researching waste and biomass management. And it was this direction of research that made him take up his graduate studies.

- You could say that I plan to link my scientific future to biomass – smiles Łukasz Sobol and admits that he has consciously involved himself in research from his very first year at university, in order to expand his knowledge and skills. – I was so hooked that I couldn’t imagine a future for myself other than in science and research – he admits.

Łukasz has been very ambitious and hard-working ever since the first year of his studies. He looked for research topics himself and he participated in various conferences, so he focused both on research, and being able to successfully present the results. He even received an award for best paper at one of the conferences – says Prof. Arkadiusz Dyjakon praising his student, and adds that Łukasz is not only planning a Phd, but is already publishing work even though he has just started his master's degree. His latest publication appeared in the journal “Energies” – which scores 140 points on the ministerial list, IF 2.707.

– This is a really great result and also the best proof that students can have not only good grades, but, above all, can conduct great research – emphasizes Prof. Dyjakon.

The other holder of the minister's scholarship is Bartosz Matyjewicz. He is in his last semester of his master's studies. Bartosz is working together with prof. Andrzej Białowiec, head of the newly established Department of Applied Bioeconomy and Lead Research Team, under whose supervision he also wrote his engineering thesis. During his engineering studies, he constructed a reactor prototype, which could be used to carry out pyrolysis processes under high pressure.

– I’m writing a master's dissertation on the hydrothermal carbonization of organic waste, so, in short, I produce hydrochar. The device which I constructed as part of my engineering thesis uses temperature and water contained in organic material and can also be used for other thermal processes and urban waste processing – because this is what I’m focusing on – explains Bartosz Matyjewicz and adds that his reactor has industrial potential.

The topic of his thesis came from Professor Białowiec – Bartosz chose an engineering dissertation topic proposed by him, and later consulted the reactor design with his supervisor on an ongoing basis.

– I would present my ideas, and afterwards we’d choose the best solutions that were available at that time. The device is constantly being modified, because, as in a prototype, tests show what needs to be changed. I have to admit that I can count on Prof. Białowiec in every situation – says Bartosz Matyjewicz, who when asked about what he enjoys most in researching waste, smiled and replied: I enjoy finding new ways to reuse and improve the efficiency of these processes. Besides, I think that everyone should take care of our planet in their own way. So if there is a possibility, we should all look for new ideas on how to solve problems that we as humanity have to face.

Professor Andrzej Białowiec, when asked about his student, said: - He has really good design skills. He can design and build different machines and devices, and he’s not afraid of challenges. Technical problems only motivate him to work harder. He’s always open to all kinds of ideas.

The supervisor also adds that his student is a man of many interests. He signed up to the Apis Student's Scientific Society, which deals with beekeeping. He is a scientist and a beekeeper, says his supervisor and praises his honey (– it’s very good, I would recommend it).

– Bartosz Matyjewicz has already published the research results on the reactor. He won a grant at the Young Minds competition, held at our university, in an area that has nothing to do with his master's thesis. I persuaded him to fight for this money, because he had to start with research on pyrolysis under high pressure – says prof. Białowiec, adding that his role as a supervisor is to support, not to disturb.

– Bartosz is very independent. He’s currently working on my PhD student Kacper Świechowski’s grant from the Preludium program, besides working on his own grant from Young Minds, being in a scientific society and working on his own master's degree. I think that the key to his success is that he and Kacper have spent many hours in the lab, which taught him to be comfortable in this space, be creative, analyze and work with other people – says Prof. Andrzej Białowiec, and points out that this is the best example that it’s enough to "open a lab to students" to give them a chance to fulfill their own ideas.

Bartosz Matyjewicz, when asked what he will use the scholarship for, admits that he will most likely put this extra money towards starting his own company, because so far this is what he plans for the future, although many people have persuaded him to choose a scientific career.

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education received 890 applications for the minister's scholarship. The winners receive a financial award of PLN 17,000. Ultimately, 362 scholarships were awarded, 285 of which for scientific achievements, 42 for sports achievements, and 35 scholarships for artistic achievements. The largest number of scholarships was awarded to students nominated by: the University of Warsaw - 63, the Jagiellonian University - 60, the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń - 24, the Warsaw University of Technology - 16 and the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań - 14.

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