Iwona Polak | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Iwona Polak | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn | Poland

Iwona Polak, M.Sc. Eng., is a researcher at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, specializing in the molecular biology of parasitic nematodes from the Anisakidae family. Her scientific contributions focus on unraveling the molecular and proteomic mechanisms of Anisakis simplex, a parasite of marine mammals that poses risks to human health. With 11 published journal papers indexed in Scopus and other scientific databases, she has developed a strong academic record supported by 75 citations on ResearchGate and 57 citations on Scopus, reflecting her growing influence in parasitology and molecular biology. Her h-index of 4 demonstrates the consistent impact of her research output within her field. Through advanced transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, particularly using NGS and LC-MS/MS approaches, Polak’s work provides key insights into host–parasite interactions and parasite adaptation mechanisms. She has collaborated internationally with the Marine Research Institute (IIM-CSIC) in Vigo, Spain, in proteomics research. With one ongoing research project and plans to defend her doctoral thesis in biological sciences, she continues to expand her scientific profile and contribute to developing innovative therapeutic and control strategies for anisakiasis.

Featured Publications

Polak, I., et al. (2025). Diversity, expression, and structural modeling of sugar transporters in Anisakis simplex s. s. L3 and L4 larvae: An in vitro and in silico study. BMC Genomics, 26, Article 12068.

Polak, I., et al. (2025). Coupled transcriptome and proteome analysis of L3 and L4 developmental stages of Anisakis simplex s. s.: Insights into target genes under glucose influence. BMC Genomics, 26, Article 12069.

Polak, I., et al. (2024). The response of Anisakis simplex (s. s.) to anthelmintics: Specific changes in xenobiotic metabolic processes. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 19, 80–92.