Wiktoria Orzeł named a finalist in the Women & Girls in Science 2026 Challenge

05 06 2026

Wiktoria Orzeł, MSc, a doctoral candidate at the Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, has been selected as one of 12 finalists in the Women & Girls in Science 2026 Challenge, organised by the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO).

The aim of the competition is to recognise innovative research proposals that may contribute to predicting, mitigating the effects of, or adapting to crisis situations described in the competition scenarios. The proposals were evaluated based on, among other criteria, novelty, relevance, coherence, feasibility, and potential positive societal impact.

Wiktoria Orzeł prepared a research project responding to the “A Day Without Antibiotics” scenario, which concerns the disruption of supply chains for key components used in antibiotic production or the emergence of an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. Her project is titled “Bacteriophages – harnessing nature-derived solutions to safeguard health and food security”.

The finalist will present the details of her project on 9 June at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

The Women & Girls in Science 2026 Challenge is addressed to women researchers aged 18–35 from NATO member countries who are at an early stage of their scientific careers in the fields of life sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, or defence.

We warmly congratulate Wiktoria on becoming a finalist and keep our fingers crossed for her success in the final stage!

More information about the competition:
https://www.sto.nato.int/women-and-girls-in-science/