Monika Janczarek

Professor Monika Janczarek is affiliated with the University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, where she leads the Department of Industrial and Environmental Microbiology within the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology. Holding a habilitation in Biological Sciences (2012) and a full professorship since 2019, she serves on multiple university governance bodies including the Academic Senate and its Budget/Statute committees.

• PhD in Biology (Microbiology, 2001)
• Habilitation in Biological Sciences (2012)
• Full Professor (2019)

Her research focuses on rhizobial exopolysaccharides (EPS), investigating their genetic regulation, stress adaptation mechanisms, and symbiotic functions in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii. Recent work examines EPS synthesis pathways, cold stress adaptation, and heavy metal tolerance in clover symbionts from subpolar vs. temperate climates.

Selected publications reveal expertise in bacterial genetics, stress signaling pathways, and microbial interactions with plants and protozoa. Awards include the Prime Minister's Honor Badge for Inventions (2018), multiple UMCS Rector awards, and the Komisja Edukacji Narodowej medal (2014).

• OPUS16 (NCN) 2019-2024
• OPUS4 (NCN) 2013-2016
• MNiSW grants 2008-2011, 2011-2014

She also contributes to patent development, including microbial EPS applications for plant symbiosis and bacterial detection kits for Legionella species.