On 28 November 2014, the L'Oreal Polska for Women and Science scholarships were awarded to 5 researchers during a gala in the Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw. One of the winners was Dr Joanna Kozieł from the JU Department of Microbiology.

The Polish branch of L'Oreal has been awarding scholarships for 14 years. Every year, the programme selects several young talented scholars whose work may encourage future generations to become interested in science.

Dr Joanna Kozieł graduated in molecular biology at the Jagiellonian University. In her research, she aims to describe the inactivation strategies of the immunological system defensive mechanisms used by infective bacteria and their influence on the host's immunological system. One of the most challenging aspects of her work is the search for new virulence mechanisms which are used by the pathogens. Identification of the bacteria's "weaponry" is a key factor in designing  innovative and highly specialised medicine used in effective, minimally invasive therapies, which would eliminate problems with the growing number of pathogens immune to currently used antibiotics. This is crucial for patients suffering from chronic diseases, which sometimes render modern medicine powerless.

Dr Kozieł's research is even more important due to the fact that it concerns very common diseases: Staphylococcus infections, periodontosis, rheumatoid arthritis etc. The great value and applicability of the research and its interdisciplinary character lead to formulation of new diagnostic methods and treatments.