Dr.
University of Southern California, USA;
Jagiellonian University Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Poland
Serghei Mangul is an Associate Professor and Incoming Director of the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. His lab focuses on scalable and transparent computational approaches in genomics. Dr. Mangul’s contributions emphasize reproducibility, open data, and accessible bioinformatics education, reflecting his vision for an equitable future in biomedical research.
Prof. dr
Jagiellonian University
Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Poland
Prof. Grzegorz Dubin is a Professor of Structural Biology at the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland, where he leads the Laboratory of Protein Crystallography. His research focuses on structural biology, protein crystallography, and the characterization of proteins involved in infectious diseases, cancer, and neglected tropical diseases.
His work combines structural and biochemical approaches to understand protein function and identify potential therapeutic targets. Since August 2025, he has served as Acting Director of the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology.
Prof. dr
Director of Sano, Research Team Leader of Extreme-scale Data and Computing,
Sano
Dr.
ZS Associates,
Copenhagen, Denmark
Dr. Lars Juhl Jensen is a bioinformatician whose research focuses on protein function prediction, integration of omics data, text mining, and biological network analysis. He earned his Ph.D. in Bioinformatics from the Technical University of Denmark and has held research positions at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and the University of Copenhagen’s Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research.
He has authored more than 250 scientific publications with over 100,000 citations and is widely recognized for his contributions to computational biology. In addition to his academic work, he co-founded the bioinformatics company Intomics, now ZS Discovery, where he serves as Director.
MCB at Gaia AI Factory
Gaia AI Factory is a flagship artificial intelligence initiative operated by ACK Cyfronet AGH, Poland's national high-performance computing centre and a member of the EuroHPC ecosystem. Supported by a €70 million investment from Poland and EuroHPC JU, the project will provide next-generation AI infrastructure based on a new supercomputer equipped with more than 1,000 AI-optimized GPUs.
The Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology (MCB), Jagiellonian University, is a member of the Gaia AI Factory consortium. MCB researchers are developing advanced AI solutions for biomedical research, genomics, and structural biology.
Prof. Paweł Łabaj leads the development of computational tools for predicting the spread of pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes through large-scale exposome modelling. Dr. Mateusz Sikora is scaling the GlycoShield platform for AI-assisted protein structure prediction in combination with AlphaFold2. The MCB activities within Gaia AI Factory are coordinated by Prof. Paweł Łabaj, Dr. Mateusz Sikora, and MSc. Wojciech Pilch.
As part of Cyfronet's advanced computing ecosystem, Gaia AI Factory will provide researchers, startups, industry, and public institutions with access to world-class AI infrastructure, accelerating innovation in healthcare, bioinformatics, life sciences, and other strategic sectors while strengthening Europe's technological sovereignty.
Dr.
HPC Software Department
AGH University of Krakow
Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet AGH
B.Eng.
HPC Software Department
AGH University of Krakow
Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet AGH
Prof. dr
Department of Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology JU
Dr. Krzysztof Murzyn is Head of the Department of Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics at the Jagiellonian University, Poland. His research focuses on computational biophysics, structural bioinformatics, molecular modelling, and the study of biomolecular systems using advanced simulation methods. He develops computational approaches for investigating the structure, dynamics, and interactions of biological macromolecules.
His work integrates molecular dynamics, structural biology, and bioinformatics to improve our understanding of biological processes at the molecular level. He also contributes to the development of computational tools that support structural biology, biomolecular research, and drug discovery.
Dr.
Junior Research Specialist
in Structural and Functional Genomics Group
Sano
Dr.
Dioscuri Centre for Modelling of Posttranslational Modifications
Jagiellonian University
Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology
Dr. Mateusz Sikora is the Head of the Dioscuri Centre for Modelling of Posttranslational Modifications at the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. His research focuses on computational biology, biophysics, structural biology, and the development of simulation-based approaches for studying protein structure and function. He applies molecular dynamics, computational modelling, and large-scale biological data analysis to investigate complex biomolecular systems.
His work explores the role of post-translational modifications, glycans, and protein-protein interactions in health and disease. He is also known for contributions to structural studies of SARS-CoV-2 and the development of computational methods that integrate simulations with experimental biology. By combining physics, computer science, and molecular biology, he advances our understanding of biological processes at the molecular level.
Sikora Lab | Dioscuri Centre for Modelling of Post-Translational Modifications
Sikora Lab develops computational methods to understand how post-translational modifications regulate protein structure and function. The laboratory combines molecular dynamics simulations, structural biology, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing to investigate protein interactions, disease mechanisms, and host-pathogen biology.
By performing large-scale simulations on supercomputers, the team supports advances in protein modelling, drug discovery, and AI-driven structural biology, contributing to new therapeutic strategies for cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders.
Dr.
Sikora Lab | Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland
Dr. Karolina Mitusińska is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Sikora Lab, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. Her research focuses on computational structural biology, molecular dynamics simulations, protein engineering, and biomolecular modelling. She develops computational approaches to investigate protein dynamics, structure-function relationships, and molecular mechanisms relevant to human health and disease.
Dr.
Sikora Lab | Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland
Dr. Malay Ranjan Biswal is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Sikora Lab, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. His research focuses on computational structural biology, molecular dynamics simulations, protein modelling, and post-translational modifications. He applies high-performance computing and simulation-based methods to investigate protein interactions and molecular mechanisms, supporting advances in AI-driven structural biology and therapeutic discovery.
Dr.
Sikora Lab | Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland
Alam Ahmad Hidayat is a PhD student at Sikora Lab, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. His research focuses on computational biology, machine learning, biomolecular modelling, and molecular dynamics simulations. He develops computational approaches that combine artificial intelligence and large-scale molecular simulations to investigate protein structure, dynamics, and disease-related molecular mechanisms.
Dr.
Sikora Lab | Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland
Jakub Mróz is a PhD student at Sikora Lab, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. His research focuses on computational structural biology, molecular modelling, and molecular dynamics simulations. He develops computational methods to study protein structure, membrane proteins, and the effects of genetic variants, supporting research in structural biology and precision medicine.
Dr.
Emory University,
USA
Dr. Yana Bromberg is a Professor of Bioinformatics in the Departments of Biology and Computer Science at Emory University, USA. Her research focuses on computational biology, bioinformatics, machine learning, and the analysis of genomic and metagenomic data. She develops innovative computational methods to understand protein function, predict the effects of genetic variation, and explore the molecular mechanisms underlying life.
Her work combines artificial intelligence, genome analysis, and functional genomics to investigate how biological information is encoded in DNA and proteins. Through the development of widely used bioinformatics tools and predictive models, she contributes to advances in precision medicine, microbiome research, and our understanding of the origins and evolution of biological systems.
Dr.
University of Tartu,
Estonia
Dr. Elin Org leads the Microbiome Research Group at the Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Estonia. Her research focuses on the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, with particular emphasis on its interactions with host genetics, metabolism, and the immune system. She applies genomic, computational, and population-based approaches to investigate the factors shaping microbial communities and their impact on human health.
Her work integrates microbiome, genomic, and clinical data from large population cohorts, including the Estonian Microbiome Cohort, to improve disease risk assessment, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment strategies. Through her research, she advances our understanding of microbiome-host interactions and their relevance to precision medicine.
Dr.
Weill Cornell Medicine,
New York City, USA
Dr. Alexander Lucaci is a Postdoctoral Associate in Systems and Computational Biomedicine at Weill Cornell Medicine (Mason Lab) whose research focuses on understanding how microbial and viral communities evolve, adapt, and spread through complex environments. His work combines molecular evolution, metagenomics, viromics, and scalable bioinformatics to transform large environmental sequencing datasets into interpretable models of biological change. He develops computational approaches to detect adaptive signals, map urban microbiomes and viromes, and builds genomic surveillance systems for public health and biosecurity. His research aims to move environmental genomics beyond describing which organisms are present toward understanding how they are changing, why those changes matter, and what they may reveal about future biological risk.
Dr.
Georgia State University,
USA
Dr. Alexander Zelikovsky is a Distinguished University Professor of Computer Science at Georgia State University, USA. His research focuses on algorithms, computational genomics, bioinformatics, and combinatorial optimization, with particular emphasis on developing efficient methods for large-scale biological data analysis. He has made significant contributions to algorithm design, network optimization, and high-throughput sequencing data analysis.
His work bridges theoretical computer science and modern genomics, advancing computational approaches for genome analysis, molecular epidemiology, and evolutionary studies. Through the development of scalable algorithms and bioinformatics tools, he contributes to solving complex challenges in biomedical and genomic research.
Prof. dr
Microbial Genomics
Jagiellonian University
Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology
Kraków, Poland
Dr. Rafał Mostowy is an Associate Professor and Head of the Microbial Genomics Group at the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. His research focuses on microbial genomics, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, and the mechanisms driving bacterial and viral adaptation. He applies computational and comparative genomics approaches to investigate how genetic recombination and horizontal gene transfer shape microbial evolution.
His work explores bacteriophage evolution, host-pathogen interactions, and the emergence of new biological functions in microbial communities. By combining evolutionary theory, large-scale genomic data analysis, and computational modelling, he aims to better understand microbial diversity and support the development of novel approaches to combating infectious diseases.
Dr.
Jagiellonian University, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Poland
Dr. Kinga Zielińska is a computational biologist and postdoctoral researcher at the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. She earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Bioscience from the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on microbiome bioinformatics, metagenomics, and computational approaches for understanding how the human gut microbiome influences health, disease, and athletic performance.
Her work combines high-throughput sequencing, functional metagenomics, machine learning, and multi-omics data integration to investigate microbial communities and their functional potential. She develops computational methods for microbiome health assessment, strain-level analysis, and functional interpretation of metagenomic data, contributing to precision medicine and next-generation microbiome-based diagnostics.
Prof. dr
Department of Data Science and Engineering,
Silesian University of Technology
Poland
Prof. Joanna Polańska is a Professor of Bioinformatics and Data Science at the Silesian University of Technology, Poland. Her research focuses on machine learning, biostatistics, and computational methods for the analysis of complex biomedical and omics datasets. She develops innovative approaches for extracting meaningful information from high-dimensional biological and medical data.
Her work spans genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, radiomics, and precision medicine, with applications in disease diagnosis, biomarker discovery, and treatment response prediction. By combining artificial intelligence with biomedical research, she contributes to advancing data-driven healthcare and interdisciplinary bioinformatics education in Poland.
Phd eng.
Department of Data Science and Engineering,
Silesian University of Technology
Poland
Dr. Joanna Żyła is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Poland. Her research focuses on bioinformatics, biostatistics, statistical machine learning, and integrative analysis of high-throughput biological data. She develops computational methods for gene set analysis, genomic data interpretation, and the integration of multi-omics datasets to better understand complex biological processes.
Her work spans genomics, transcriptomics, precision medicine, and computational biology, with applications in cancer research, infectious diseases, and biomarker discovery. She is also actively involved in developing innovative approaches that combine artificial intelligence and bioinformatics, including the use of large language models for functional genomics and biological data interpretation.
Dr.
Department of Data Science and Engineering,
Silesian University of Technology
Poland
Dr. Aleksandra Suwalska is a researcher at the Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Poland. Her research focuses on machine learning, deep learning, statistics, and explainable artificial intelligence for the analysis of complex biomedical datasets. She develops computational methods for extracting knowledge from high-dimensional biological data and supporting data-driven biomedical research.
Her work includes next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis, mass cytometry, biomedical data mining, and advanced clustering techniques. By combining modern artificial intelligence approaches with bioinformatics and biostatistics, she contributes to improving the interpretation of biological data and advancing precision medicine research.
PhD student | MSc in Data Science
Department of Data Science and Engineering,
Silesian University of Technology
Poland
Karolina Kuliś is a PhD student at the Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Poland. Her research focuses on computational genomics, genetic data analysis, and machine learning methods for studying complex diseases. She investigates the genetic architecture of human disorders using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), variant analysis, and data-driven approaches for biological interpretation.
Her work is particularly focused on type 1 diabetes, where she applies bioinformatics and statistical learning techniques to identify disease-associated genetic factors and improve the understanding of disease mechanisms. She is also involved in developing computational workflows that support the analysis and interpretation of large-scale genomic datasets.
Prof. dr
Jagiellonian University
Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Poland
Paweł Łabaj leads the Bioinformatics Group at the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, specializing in metagenomics, transcriptomics, and advanced data analysis. He has extensive experience in managing large-scale research projects, promoting reproducible science, and mentoring emerging scientists in bioinformatics.
Prof. dr
University of Toronto & University Health Network, Canada
Prof. Michael Brudno is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto and Chief Data Scientist at the University Health Network (UHN), Canada. His research focuses on computational medicine, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and the development of computational methods for the analysis of clinical and genomic data. He combines machine learning, genome analysis, and human-centered data systems to improve the integration of biological and clinical information.
His work aims to enable automated interpretation of genomic and multi-omics data through the integration of structured patient phenotypes and clinical records. He has made significant contributions to comparative genomics, genome alignment algorithms, rare disease genomics, and precision medicine. As a leader in computational biomedicine, he advances the use of artificial intelligence and large-scale biomedical data to support faster diagnosis, improved clinical workflows, and personalized healthcare.
Dr.
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences & Professor at Oakland University
Rochester, Michigan, United States
Dr. Fabia Ursula Battistuzzi is an Associate Professor at Oakland University, USA, and a microbial evolutionary biologist specializing in the reconstruction of genome evolution across deep evolutionary timescales. Her research applies comparative genomics and phylogenetic methods to investigate the mechanisms and timing of evolutionary change in prokaryotes and unicellular eukaryotes.
She works on improving and optimizing phylogenetic workflows while developing computational pipelines that support efficient evolutionary analyses. Together with a multidisciplinary team of undergraduate and graduate researchers, her work advances our understanding of microbial evolution and provides practical bioinformatics tools for the broader scientific community.
Dr.
Oakland University
USA
Taras K. Oleksyk is an Associate Professor at Oakland University and a US Fulbright Scholar in Poland. His research centers on genomic diversity and its role in adaptation and disease. In addition to studying human populations in the Caribbean and Eastern Europe, he works on conservation genomics of endangered species. Dr. Oleksyk has contributed to multiple genome projects and selection scans, including Amazon parrots and African cheetahs. At the same time, he has organized one of the largest population genomics studies in Europe, focusing on Type 1 Diabetes.
Dr hab.
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry
Polish Academy of Sciences
Poznań
Poland
Dr.
Laboratory for Mechanistic Learning of Ageing Biology,
Kyiv School of Economics
Ukraine
Dr. Cyril Lagger is a computational biologist and particle physicist leading the Laboratory for Mechanistic Learning of Ageing Biology at the Kyiv School of Economics. His research focuses on ageing biology, bioinformatics, mathematical biology, and the development of computational models for understanding complex biological systems. He applies interdisciplinary approaches that combine machine learning, quantitative modelling, and large-scale biological data analysis.
His work aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying ageing and age-related diseases through the integration of multi-omics data and mechanistic modelling. By bridging concepts from physics and biology, he develops innovative computational frameworks that help explain biological processes across multiple scales and support advances in biomedical research.
MS, EdTech, Data Science
Founder of MyEduPath
Los Angeles, USA
Zoia Comarova is the founder of MyEduPath, where she builds systems that turn students and researchers into leaders at the intersection of science and real-world impact. Her work focuses on designing talent pathways that connect education, research, and industry through experience-based learning, cross-border collaboration, and applied innovation. She partners with universities, startups, and innovation ecosystems to strengthen how scientific talent is developed and activated globally.
Dr.
Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland
Dr. Agata Kalita is an EMBO Postdoctoral Fellow in the Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genome Biology at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. Her research focuses on evolutionary genomics, gene regulation, epigenetics, and bioinformatics, with particular emphasis on the evolution of sex chromosome dosage compensation in insects.
Her work combines comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and computational biology to investigate how gene regulatory mechanisms evolve across non-model organisms. Through the integration of experimental and computational approaches, she contributes to advancing our understanding of genome evolution and the molecular basis of gene expression regulation.
Dr.
Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland
Dr. Agata Szade is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Biotechnology at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. Her research focuses on stem cell biology, vascular biology, regenerative medicine, and the molecular mechanisms regulating tissue regeneration and ageing. She investigates how stem cell niches and inflammation influence tissue homeostasis and disease.
Her work combines experimental biology with genomics, single-cell technologies, and systems biology to study hematopoietic stem cells, immune regulation, and vascular function. By integrating molecular and cellular approaches, she aims to develop novel therapeutic strategies for regenerative medicine and age-related diseases.
Dr.
Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland
support@eebg.net
Meet the dedicated team behind the Eastern European Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Workshop 2026 in Kraków, Poland.
Their collective expertise spans genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, and beyond, ensuring a dynamic and enriching experience for all participants.
Prof. dr
Jagiellonian University
Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Poland
Paweł Łabaj leads the Bioinformatics Group at the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, specializing in metagenomics, transcriptomics, and advanced data analysis. He has extensive experience in managing large-scale research projects, promoting reproducible science, and mentoring emerging scientists in bioinformatics.
Dr.
University of Southern California;
Jagiellonian University Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Poland
Serghei Mangul is an Associate Professor and Incoming Director of the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. His lab focuses on scalable and transparent computational approaches in genomics. Dr. Mangul’s contributions emphasize reproducibility, open data, and accessible bioinformatics education, reflecting his vision for an equitable future in biomedical research.
Prof. dr
Department of Data Science and Engineering. Silesian University of Technology, Poland
Joanna Polańska is a leading data scientist and bioinformatician known for her innovative approaches to analyzing high-dimensional biological datasets. Her work emphasizes computational solutions for genome annotation, variant interpretation, and translational bioinformatics, making her a key figure in Polish bioinformatics education.
Dr.
Oakland University,
NGO “Bioinformatics for Ukraine”
USA;
Taras Oleksyk is a US Fulbright Scholar in Poland. His research centers on evolution, genomics, and conservation genetics. Dr. Oleksyk has successfully run multiple international genomics projects and international meetings, working closely with local institutions to foster community-oriented bioinformatics training.
MSc Student
Jagiellonian University, Poland;
Sano Centre for Computational Medicine, Poland
Daryna Yakymenko is actively involved in initiatives and collaborations focused on connecting local students to global advancements in genomics and computational biology. Her organizational efforts help shape EEBG as a hub of knowledge exchange and professional development.
Dr.
Jagiellonian University
Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Poland
MS, EdTech, Data Science
Founder of MyEduPath,
Los Angeles,
USA
Zoia Comarova is the founder of MyEduPath, where she builds systems that turn students and researchers into leaders at the intersection of science and real-world impact. Her work focuses on designing talent pathways that connect education, research, and industry through experience-based learning, cross-border collaboration, and applied innovation. She partners with universities, startups, and innovation ecosystems to strengthen how scientific talent is developed and activated globally.