MSc Marta Sałek in the final of FameLab Poland 2026!

03 06 2026

Our doctoral candidate, MSc Marta Sałek, who is preparing her doctoral dissertation at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, under the scientific supervision of Dr habil. Anna Karnkowska, University Professor, has been selected as one of the finalists of the FameLab Poland 2026 competition.

In her research, Marta focuses on the diversity and ecology of protists — single-celled eukaryotic organisms that form a fascinating, yet often invisible to the naked eye, world of microorganisms. Her work combines biology, ecology and modern molecular methods, examining, among other things, relationships between microorganisms and the environment, as well as interactions between protists and bacteria. She will now present her research during this year’s FameLab final in Katowice.

FameLab Poland 2026 is the national edition of one of the world’s largest science communication competitions. The competition is held in English, and each participant has just three minutes to present a selected scientific topic, without the use of a multimedia presentation. This year’s national final will take place on 9 June in Katowice.

The Polish edition of FameLab was organised between 2012 and 2021 by the British Council Foundation and the Copernicus Science Centre, and since 2024 it has been hosted by the University of Silesia in Katowice. The winners of the first three places will receive financial prizes, while the winner of the national final will represent Poland at the FameLab International final, scheduled for 5 December 2026 as part of the 10th Silesian Science Festival Katowice.

Marta’s participation in the final reflects her previous activity in science communication. She is the winner of the best flash talk presentation award at an international scientific conference and is also actively involved in science outreach, conducting microscopy workshops and educational classes.

We warmly congratulate Marta and wish her every success in the final!