Professor at Politechnika Białostocka, Poland
Grażyna Łaska is a distinguished Associate Professor specializing in biological sciences with a strong focus on environmental protection and plant ecology. Over the course of her career, she has significantly contributed to the understanding of plant communities, biodiversity conservation, and the ecological impact of human activities. Her research spans a wide range of topics, including secondary metabolites, ecological networks, and conservation strategies. She has held several key administrative and academic roles, influencing both national and international research collaborations.
Profile
ORCID
Education
Grażyna Łaska’s academic journey began with an MSc in Biology from Warsaw University, where she graduated with honors in 1988. She pursued a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, which she completed in 1993. Her research excellence led to her habilitation in 2008, and she was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor at Białystok University of Technology in 2013. Her academic background laid a strong foundation for her future research in environmental protection and plant ecology.
Experience
She started her academic career as an assistant at the Department of Sozology at Białystok University of Technology in 1988. By 1993, she was promoted to Assistant Professor, a role she held for 20 years. In 2013, she became an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Protection and Management. Alongside her teaching responsibilities, she has served in various administrative roles, including Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Student Affairs (2012–2016) and Coordinator of an international research project (2015–2018). She also directed a major research project funded by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Research Interests
Her research primarily focuses on plant ecology, biodiversity conservation, and secondary metabolites. She has studied the adaptation strategies of plants, particularly in wetland and forest habitats, and the ecological consequences of environmental changes. She has also contributed significantly to pharmacognosy, working on the pharmaceutical properties of plant-based secondary metabolites. Her interdisciplinary approach combines ecological research with applications in environmental protection and sustainable development.
Awards and Recognition
Grażyna Łaska has received numerous awards for her contributions to research and education. In 2011, she was honored with the Medal of the National Education Commission. Additionally, she has been the recipient of multiple individual and team Rector’s Awards between 2010 and 2016. Her mentorship has also been recognized, as she has supervised multiple Ph.D. students who have made notable contributions to ecological and botanical research.
Selected Publications
Łaska G. (2008). Plant communities in wetland habitats in the Knyszyńska Forest – present state and anthropogenic transformations in the GIS approach. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 15: 207-214.
Łaska G. (2011). “Natura 2000” ecological network in the aspect of sustainable development. Ecological Questions, 15: 5-21. DOI: 10.2478/v10090-011-0030-7.
Łaska G. (2014). Ecological consequences of deforestation and afforestation on a post-arable land. Ecological Questions, 20: 9–21. DOI: 10.12775/EQ.2014.012.
Łaska G. (2015). Synanthropization of dendroflora near main roads in Białystok (NE Poland). Biodiversity Research and Conservation, 38: 9-24. DOI: 10.1515/biorc-2015-0013.
Łaska G., Sienkiewicz A., Zjawiony J., Jacob M., Khan S. (2017). Antifungal activity of the root extracts of Pulsatilla patens against Candida glabrata. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica. Drug Research, 74(1): 179-185.
Łaska G. (2017). Wind energy and multi-criteria analysis in making decisions on the location of wind farms. Procedia Engineering, 182: 418–424.
Łaska G. (2014). Protection of floristic diversity in the Sajna River valley – in view of the planned construction of a hydroelectric power station in Sarkajmy. J. Water Land Dev., 20: 45–56.
Conclusion
Dr. Grażyna Łaska’s remarkable contributions to biological sciences, her leadership in research and academia, and her international collaborations position her as an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her extensive publication record, patents, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious recognition.