The Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin (UMCS)

The Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin is the largest public university in Poland on the eastern side of the Vistula River. We are an institution deeply rooted in the region, where since 1944, we have been acting as a cultural and opinion-forming factor, and we have made a significant contribution to building a knowledge-based economy. Nearly 260 thousand Graduates have completed our Alma Mater.

The scientific and research potential of UMCS is growing. We have modern laboratories, and we also invest in infrastructure and modernization of existing facilities. In February 2020, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University was awarded the prestigious title of the Ambassador of the Lublin Province. The honorary chapter decided to award the university with an award in the “Institution” category while appreciating the enormous, long-term contribution to the multifaceted development of the region. This award is granted to outstanding organizations and institutions for the special promotion of the Lublin region in the country and abroad. UMCS has built a solid scientific, didactic, organizational and social capital, creating a comprehensive university that promotes the region thanks to the development of research and high-level education.

Contacts

Address
Phone
Rector’s Office email

rektor@umcs.pl

International Projects Department

malgorzata.poludniuk@mail.umcs.pl

Website

https://lvet.edu.ua/vstup.php

Role in the project:

The role of UMCS in the project “Protection of biodiversity in the cross-border areas of Ukraine and Poland from invasive populations of hogweed (Heracleum)” (PLUA.01.03-IP.01-0008/23), focuses on field and laboratory work aimed at monitoring and controlling the population of Sosnowski’s hogweed (an invasive alien species) in the cross-border areas of Poland (the provinces of Lublin, Podlasie and Podkarpacie) and Ukraine (the Lviv region).

These tasks will be carried out at the Institute of Biological Sciences at UMCS, where environmental sciences are a leading research topic. This work will contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of IAS adaptation and naturalisation in many areas, including morphology and anatomy, ecology, spread, primary and secondary metabolism, genetic diversity, and environmental impact. Ultimately, the research conducted in the municipalities covered by the project will aim to develop recommendations for reducing and, ultimately, eradicating the hogweed population. This will be preceded by extensive educational campaigns targeting various groups, including young people, students, local government employees and farmers.

Key strengths

  • UMCS’s extensive contacts in the Lublin region facilitate the promotion and implementation of the project.
  • Access to research facilities at the UMCS Institute of Biological Sciences.
  • Extensive research and teaching experience of the UMCS project staff.
  • Professional administrative and substantive support from the UMCS International Cooperation Centre staff.

Team

Dr Anna Rysiak

Project manager

Institute of Biological Sciences UMCS
Department of Botany, Mycology and Ecology

Dr hab.Agnieszka Hanaka

Institute of Biological Sciences UMCS
Department of Plant Physiology and Biophysics