Katarzyna Chojnacka

Professor Katarzyna Chojnacka is a Full Professor at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, where she has been serving since 2018. She was awarded the title of professor by the President of the Republic of Poland in 2012 in the field of technical sciences. Previously, she held positions as University Professor (similar to Associate Professor) since 2009 and Assistant Professor ("Adiunkt") since 2004 at the same institution. She is currently Head of the PCA Accredited Chemical Laboratory of Multi-Elemental Analyzes (No. AB 696) at WUST.

Professor Chojnacka graduated from the Department of Chemistry of Wrocław University of Technology in 1999 with an MSc in Biotechnology, specializing in Environmental Chemistry. Her Master's thesis focused on "Wastewater treatment processes by blue-green algae Spirulina sp." She completed her PhD in 2003 at Wrocław University of Technology on using biosorption and bioaccumulation processes for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater using Spirulina sp. microalgae.

Her research spans biosorption, bioaccumulation, valorization of waste to fertilizers, biological wastewater treatment, and development of value-added products from algae. Professor Chojnacka has pioneered techniques for creating biological feed supplements and fertilizer components with microelements using biosorption processes. Her work bridges environmental chemistry, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy principles, with a particular focus on converting various waste streams into valuable agricultural inputs.

An analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on sustainable agricultural solutions, waste valorization, and circular economy applications. Her research consistently focuses on developing innovative methods to transform agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste into valuable fertilizers and soil amendments while addressing environmental concerns. The work demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches combining chemistry, biology, and engineering to solve pressing environmental challenges.

• Award of the Prime Minister for the habilitation dissertation (2009)
• Medal of the Young Scientist of the Warsaw University of Technology (2009)
• Polish Minister of Science scholarship for outstanding young scientists (2008)
• Thermya Award for Excellence in Research in Wastes Valorisation (2008)
• European Membrane Society Award (2002)
• American Chemical Society Award (1992)

Professor Chojnacka has supervised numerous graduate students, having promoted seven PhD theses and currently supervising four PhD candidates. She serves as an expert for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the field of registration assessments of plant protection products. Her laboratory work focuses on multi-elemental analysis and the development of sustainable fertilizer technologies. She is also actively involved in technology transfer, having authored 30 patents and implemented fertilizer products with trace elements to the market.