TSSP NatSci 2025 projects
The main component of the summer program is an active participation in the selected research projects offered by the staff members of the Nicolaus Copernicus University from Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, and Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, please see the topics and their descriptions below. Interested students are welcome to contact possible advisors for more details concerning the foreseen projects and discuss the dates that the project could be undertaken.- The thickness and composition optimization of polymer inclusion membranes applied for the transport and separation of metal ions
- Multifunctional Composites with Broad Potential for Bone and Periodontal Regeneration
- Biphasic enzymatic membrane reactor as a tool for removal of VOC
- Synthesis and asymmetric reduction of new α-amino ketones, 7-methoxybenzothiophene derivatives with potential antimicrobial properties
- Metal nitrides as highly efficient catalysts for green hydrogen production
- Comparison of dead-end and cross-flow microfiltration efficiency
- Chitosan-based materials for potential medical and cosmetic applications
- Functional polysaccharide matrices for cosmetic application
- Bioactive glass scaffold based on 3D diatom biosilica as osteoactive material for guided bone regeneration
- Stepping on the salt
- Assessment of quantitative and qualitative resources of small water reservoirs on the example of the city of Toruń in the light of climate change
- Revitalization of riverside areas and their impact on the development of tourism
- Changes in land use/cover in national parks in Poland
- Analysis of light pollution in Toruń a city and the surrounding areas
- Urban Transport Heritage: Exploring Architecture, Design, and Tourism Potential
The thickness and composition optimization of polymer inclusion membranes applied for the transport and separation of metal ions
Research objectives:
Research goals are focused on thickness and composition optimization, which leads to membranes with better transport and separation efficiency.
Research tasks:
- Optimization of PIMs composition, i.e., content and type of: plasticizers, polymers, and carriers.
- Optimization of PIMs thickness.
- Determination of transport properties (efficiency and selectivity)
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Piotr Szczepański (piotrs[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Chemistry | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Chemical Sciences |
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Multifunctional Composites with Broad Potential for Bone and Periodontal Regeneration
Research objectives:
- Preparing composites based on chitosan and collagen with tannic acid and bioglass.
- Studying the physicochemical properties of the obtained materials.
- Investigating the antioxidant activity of the obtained materials.
- Examining the release of tannic acid from the materials.
Task 1: Discuss the scope of the project, with a focus on the preparation of composites.
Task 2: Determine the mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and degradation rate of the materials.
Task 3: Study the antioxidant properties of the obtained materials using the DPPH method.
Task 4: Study the release of tannic acid from the materials.
Task 5: Analyze and discuss the results, draw conclusions, and outline future perspectives.
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska (beata.kaczmarek[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Chemistry | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Chemical Sciences |
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Biphasic enzymatic membrane reactor as a tool for removal of VOC
Research objectives: The main goal of the project is to test the ability of a biphasic enzymatic membrane reactor in the degradation of bisphenol A. The aim can be achieved by the preparation and characterization of Janus membranes and optimization of the condition of enzymatic degradation.
Research tasks:
- Preparing Janus membrane using electrospinning process
- Determination of physiochemical properties of Janus membrane
- Optimization of enzymatic degradation
- Performing enzymatic degradation of VOC using biphasic enzymatic degradation
| Supervisor: | dr Katarzyna Knozowska (katarzyna.knozowska[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Chemistry | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Chemical Sciences |
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Synthesis and asymmetric reduction of new α-amino ketones, 7-methoxybenzothiophene derivatives with potential antimicrobial properties
Research objectives: The aim of this research is synthesis of new heterocyclic compounds, derivatives of 7-methoxybenzothiophene. α-Amino ketones, containing various azole rings, will be reduced to racemic and chiral β-amino alcohols. The influence of the type of azole ring on the enantioselectivity of the reduction will be investigated. Biological studies of the obtained compounds will also be carried out to find the relationship between the structure of the heterocycle and its properties.
Research tasks:
- Synthesis of the starting 2-bromo-1-(7-methoxy-benzothiophen-2-yl)ethanone.
- Synthesis of a series of α-amino ketones, containing azole rings: imidazole, triazole, thiazole, benzimidazole, benzotriazole.
- Racemic reduction of benzothiophenyl α-amino ketones.
- Enantioselective reduction of benzothiophenyl α-amino ketones by the transfer hydrogenation, catalyzed by RhCl[(R,R)-TsDPEN](C5Me5).
- Identification of received β-amino alcohols – NMR, IR, HPLC, optical rotation measurement.
- Benzothiophenyl β-amino alcohols, as analogues of known antifungal agents, will undergo biological testing in the next stage.
| Supervisor: | dr Agnieszka Tafelska-Kaczmarek (tafel[at]chem.umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Chemistry | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Chemical Sciences |
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Metal nitrides as highly efficient catalysts for green hydrogen production
Research objectives:
The main goal of the Project’s research work is the development of innovative strategies for the synthesis of metal nitrides.
The second goal of the Project’s is physicochemical characterization of the obtained catalysts.
The third goal of the Project’s are electrochemical investigations – tests for oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction.
Research tasks:
- Synthesis of metal nitrides (hydrothermal method and hitting in tube furnace in an NH3 or N2 atmosphere.
- Characterization of obtained materials by SEM, SEM-EDX, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), sorption of nitrogen, and Raman spectroscopy analysis.
- Electrochemical characterization: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Anna Ilnicka, prof. UMK (ailnicka[at]chem.umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Chemistry | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Chemical Sciences |
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Comparison of dead-end and cross-flow microfiltration efficiency
Research objectives:
- Evaluation of the pressure driven microfiltration process in contact with suspensions/colloids (e.g., dairy proteins, lactose) in dead-end and cross-flow modes.
- Assessment of various fouling types (e.g., irreversible, reversible) in the case of dead-end and cross-flow mode.
- Evaluation of the process parameters (e.g., cross-flow velocity, agitation, pressure) on the separation (rejection, permeate flux).
- Characterization of the membrane morphologies used in MF process (e.g., contact angle, porosity, zeta potential, SEM). Commercial membranes will be used.
- MF of chosen suspensions/colloids in dead-end and cross-flow modes.
- Assessment of various types of fouling and membrane cleaning and their influence on the efficiency of the separation.
- Preparation of the final report
| Supervisors: | prof. dr hab. Wojciech Kujawski (kujawski[at]chem.umk.pl) |
| dr hab. Joanna Kujawa, prof. UMK (joanna.kujawa[at]umk.pl) | |
| Faculty of Chemistry | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Chemical Sciences |
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Chitosan-based materials for potential medical and cosmetic applications
Research objectives:
- Fabrication of chitosan films with good mechanical properties for cosmetic applications as a beauty mask.
- Fabrication of chitosan films with selected additives for good swelling properties for medical applications as a wound dressing.
- Chemical and/or physical crosslinking to improve the physicochemical properties of chitosan-based films.
- Preparation of chitosan solutions
- Chitosan films fabrication
- Spectroscopic investigations
- Mechanical properties tests
- Swelling tests
- The crosslinking using chemical and physical crosslinking agents
| Supervisor: | prof. dr hab. Alina Sionkowska (alinas[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Chemistry | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Chemical Sciences |
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Functional polysaccharide matrices for cosmetic application
Research objectives:
This project aims to obtain a functional polysaccharide matrix with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for cosmetic applications. The goal is to develop a product that can effectively manage acne-prone skin by reducing bacteria and inflammation while maintaining skin hydration.
Research tasks:
- Preparation of polymeric solutions.
- Choosing suitable active ingredients.
- Preparation of functional biopolymer matrices.
- Studies of matrices properties (mechanical, spectroscopic, moisture content).
- Testing of skin color after using the obtained matrix.
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Jolanta Kowalonek, prof. UMK (jolak[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Chemistry | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Chemical Sciences |
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Bioactive glass scaffold based on 3D diatom biosilica as osteoactive material for guided bone regeneration
Research objectives:
Development of novel bioactive glass scaffold based on 3D diatom biosilica as osteoactive material for guided bone regeneration.
Research tasks:
- Synthesis of bioactive glass scaffold (calcium magnesium phosphosilicate) from a cultivited diatom biomass doped with CaCO3, MgO and Ca3(PO4)2 under double melting process.
- Investigation of the physicochemical properties of the obtained composites using various instrumental methods.
- Tests of fibroblasts and osteoblast-like cell growth on obtained bioactive glass. In Vitro bioactivity evaluation.
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Myroslav Spryskyy, prof. UMK (mspryn[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Chemistry | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Chemical Sciences |
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Stepping on the salt
Research objectives:
The aim is to learn about the various salt ponds and salt lakes, to recognize their location and genesis, and to make a geotouristic evaluation of the sites in question according to the scheme presented by the Santos et al. 2020, which is a compilation of many other previous methods. It includes features such as: basic parameters (representativeness, integrity, uniqueness, geodiversity, scientific knowledge, observation conditions, ease of interpretation). Additional features (ecological, cultural, aesthetic). Evaluation of the scope of promotion (accessibility by public means, accessibility by car, accessibility on foot, natural hazards, anthropogenic hazards, safety, infrastructure, tourism in the region). Finally, the risk of devastation will be assessed (conservation status, accessibility, sensitivity to natural and anthropogenic changes, conflict of interest)
Research tasks: Conducting a literature and website search on selected salt pans and salt lakes on the globe. Based on the collected data and photographs, conduct a valorization of the discussed sites for the preparation of an article on the geotouristic, scientific and didactic attractiveness of salt pans, salars and salt lakes.
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Tomasz Karasiewicz, prof. UMK (mtkar[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Earth and Environmental Sciences |
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Assessment of quantitative and qualitative resources of small water reservoirs on the example of the city of Toruń in the light of climate change
Research objectives:
- determination of the capacity of water reservoirs and their changes as a result of changing meteorological conditions
- determination of physicochemical parameters of water in water reservoirs
- impact of city pressure on water quality in small water reservoirs
- conducting soundings of water reservoirs and drawing up bathymetric plans
- field measurements: water temperature, pH and conductivity in water reservoirs
- water sampling from water reservoirs for the needs of physicochemical analyzes
- conducting physicochemical analyzes of water in the laboratory
- compilation of results
| Supervisor: | dr Katarzyna Kubiak-Wójcicka (kubiak[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Earth and Environmental Sciences |
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Revitalization of riverside areas and their impact on the development of tourism
Research objectives:
- determining the impact of revitalization of riverside areas on the development of water tourism
- showing various solutions adapted to environmental conditions
- determining the causes of restrictions in inland navigation
- conducting research among tourists and learning their opinions on the revitalized areas
- collection of thematic literature
- conducting surveys and field interviews
- collection of illustrative materials
- analysis of low water levels in the lower Vistula
- compilation of results
- preparation of a synthetic study
| Supervisor: | dr Katarzyna Kubiak-Wójcicka (kubiak[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Earth and Environmental Sciences |
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Changes in land use/cover in national parks in Poland
Research objectives:
The main research objective of the project is to determine the direction of changes in the landscape structure of protected areas in Poland, using the example of landscape parks (23). This will be done by comparing land cover in five time periods and determining the direction of these changes. The primary source of data is the European database CORINE Land Cover.
Research tasks:
The project will be implemented using geographic information systems (GIS) – ArcGIS (Esri), typical landscape ecology, and data analysis tools. The main research task is analyzing the five-period CORINE Land Cover spatial database (1990, 2000, 2006, 2012, and 2018). Based on the collected data, selected statistical and landscape indices will be calculated.
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Mieczysław Kunz, prof. UMK (met[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Earth and Environmental Sciences |
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Analysis of light pollution in Toruń a city and the surrounding areas
Research objectives:
The main research goal of the project is to determine the spatial variability of the night sky of the artificial light in selected Toruń housing estates and surrounding areas depending on the type of street lamps installed, land-use and other factors.
Research tasks:
The project will be implemented using geographical information systems (GIS) and SQM recorder.
The main research tasks are regular night measurements of the night sky's brightness analysis of collected data and determining spatial variability in Toruń city and surrounding areas.
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Mieczysław Kunz, prof. UMK (met[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Earth and Environmental Sciences |
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Urban Transport Heritage: Exploring Architecture, Design, and Tourism Potential
Research objectives:
The aim of the project is to investigate the tourism potential of urban transport systems by evaluating the attractiveness, architectural design, and cultural significance of metro stations, transport museums, and related historic sites. The project will assess their popularity through surveys and analyze visitor perceptions to identify key factors influencing their appeal. By doing so, it seeks to provide insights into how these transport heritage sites can be better promoted, and integrated into particular city tourism strategies.
Research tasks:
- literature query
- conducting surveys with tourists visiting Toruń
- collecting illustrative material
- compilation of results – analysis and synthesis
- preparation of the study results, draft of paper.
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Przemysław Charzyński, prof. UMK (pecha[at]umk.pl) |
| Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management | |
| Internship period: | 1st July - 28th July 2025 |
| Scientific disciplines: | Earth and Environmental Sciences |
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