Damian Kułaga

Dr. Eng. Damian Kułaga is a Research and Teaching Assistant Professor at the Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology (C-2), Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tadeusz Kościuszko Cracow University of Technology. He obtained his M.Sc. in Light Organic Technology (2015) and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (2023) from the same institution, with postgraduate pedagogical studies completed in 2020.

• Education
  • M.Sc. in Light Organic Technology, Cracow University of Technology (2015)
  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology (2023)
  • Postgraduate Pedagogical Studies, Cracow University of Technology (2020)

Kułaga's research spans Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, and Computational Drug Design, focusing on:

• Designing bioactive compounds for CNS disorders (depression, schizophrenia) and oncology (TNBC, CRC)
• Lead optimization for improved pharmacological parameters (ADME-T)
• Docking and molecular dynamics for structure-based drug design
• Green chemistry methods (microwave/sound-assisted solvent-free reactions)
• Synthesis of heterocycles and steroid bioconjugates

His work has produced 15+ publications (2016–2025) on topics including:

• Anticancer triazine derivatives for colorectal cancer
• Dual-target ligands for Alzheimer’s and CNS diseases
• Ultrasound/microwave-assisted drug synthesis protocols
• 5-HT7 receptor agonists/antagonists for psychiatric and oncological applications

Scientific Awards:

• GOLD MEDAL ARCA 2017 (Trazodone synthesis method)
• BRONZE AWARD KIWIE2017 (Aripiprazole synthesis)
• GOLD MEDAL IWIS2018 (solvent-free active substance synthesis)
• Multiple international medals (SILVER, HONORABLE MENTION) for CNS and oncology drug innovations
• First place poster award at X Medical Chemistry Symposium (2021)

Grants & Projects:

• NCBiR LIDER grants for 5-HT7 receptor ligands in TNBC (2022–2025) and CNS ligands (2016–2019)
• Subwencja N+B grant for indolyl aminotriazines (2021–)
• FNP/Proof of Concept grant for DK-AT390HCI small-molecule anticancer agent (2024–2025)

International Collaborations:

• Research stays at Sapienza Universita di Roma (Italy), Institute of Pharmacology PAN (Poland), and Experimental & Innovative Medicine Center UJ-UR (Poland)