Krystyna Oracz

Krystyna Oracz is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW. Her research focuses on seed germination mechanisms, plant development, and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant physiology. She holds a PhD from SGGW (2008) and has contributed to over 25 publications, including studies on miRNA regulation in seed development, ARGONAUTE proteins, and allelopathic interactions.

Her work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and environmental signaling to understand how ROS, hormones, and protein degradation pathways regulate seed dormancy, germination, and stress responses. Notable contributions include elucidating cyanide-mediated dormancy release in sunflower seeds and the role of NADPH oxidases in plant cell biology. She has supervised 19 theses and led 1 research project, demonstrating her impact on training next-generation scientists.

Oracz’s research also explores allelopathy, investigating how plant-derived compounds affect neighboring species through oxidative stress and hormonal pathways. Her findings bridge fundamental plant biology with agricultural applications, offering insights into crop management and environmental interactions.