URSZULA KRUPA-KOZAK

Dr. Urszula Krupa-Kozak graduated from the Faculty of Biology of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, where she obtained a PhD in biological sciences in the field of food biochemistry. For over 20 years, she has been professionally linked with the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, where she works as an Assistant Professor. Her research is focused on gluten-free cereal-based bakery products and aimed to improve their technological and sensory quality, and nutritional value and to confer biological activity and health-promoting properties. In the research conducted in the frame of national and international cooperation, she uses both conventional gluten-free ingredients as well as ancient nutrient-rich cereals, pseudocereals, and innovative raw materials and plant by-products. Recently, Dr Krupa-Kozak conducts advanced and complex interdisciplinary studies in cooperation with clinicians and nutritionists on the impact of a gluten-free diet and/or prebiotics on the characteristics and activity of the intestinal microbiota, intestinal barrier functionality, inflammation, and nutritional status of patients with gluten-dependent diseases (celiac disease) and immune-mediated dermatitis. She developed her research skills and scientific workshop during numerous internships and training at renowned research centres, i.e. Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (Spain), Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Centre (UK), University of Cambridge (UK) and Università degli Studi di Sassari (Italy). She had skills in coordinating the process of the clinical trial and conducting experiments on animals. Her research was awarded by the Foundation for Polish Sciences and the conference travel awards (BioMicroWorld; EuroFoodChem). She organized and coordinated an international EIT RIS School in Targeted Nutrition financed by EIT Food (Horyzon2020). Her research activity is reflected in high-rated international journals and communications presented at international and national conferences, and two patents.