On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, the traditional meeting summarizing the past year took place for all Employees, PhD Students, and Retirees of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (IBCH PAS). In her inaugural speech on this occasion, Director Dr. Hab. Luiza Handschuh, Prof. IBCH PAS, extended warm wishes to everyone and emphasized the contributions of the Institute’s staff to its development.

Personally, the Director expressed gratitude to individuals who distinguished themselves through their exceptional work for the Institute and demonstrated additional dedication in the year 2023. First and foremost, she thanked the members of the Social Committee: Anna Teubert (Chairperson), Dorota Magner, Agnieszka Szczepańska, Monika Sosnowska, Rafał Szpiler, and Marcin Uryzaj for their commitment and invaluable contribution to the activities benefiting the extensive community of IBCH PAS and PSNC employees. Commemorative diplomas were also awarded to:

• Katarzyna Chojnacka, MSc – for her involvement in organizing seminars for foreign guests, promoting science, and supporting non-Polish-speaking employees in navigating Polish reality.
• Dr. Hab. Kamilla Grzywacz, Prof. ICHB PAS – for charitable and pro-social activities in support of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, the Foundation for Assistance to Disabled Persons “Słoneczko”, and the Foundation “Uśmiech Nadziei Dzieciom”.
• PhD students and employees of the Department of Biomolecular NMR, Amadeusz Woś, Aleksandra Pawłowicz, Karolina Zielińska, and Mikołaj Podlewski – for organizing a charity collection for the residents of Social Assistance House No. 2 in Poznań.
• Dr. Hab. Jacek Kolanowski – for active organizational activities benefiting the Center for Chemical Biology at IBCH PAS, the Academy of Young Scientists, and the scientific community in Poland.
• Dr. Mariia Dekaliuk – for her dedication and selfless assistance in the work of the Scientific Secretariat.

The Christmas meeting also provided an opportunity to honor employees celebrating significant work anniversaries at IBCH PAS this year: Mrs. Iwona Gawrońska, MSc. (50 years of service), Dr. Jan Podkowiński and Dr. Mariusz Popenda (40 years of service), and Dr. Hab. Małgorzata Giel-Pietraszuk, Prof. IBCH PAS (35 years of service).

During the meeting, this year’s scientific promotions and awards received by Institute employees were also mentioned. In 2023, a record-breaking 21 PhD students obtained their doctoral degrees at ICHB PAS. Dr. Hab. Jacek Kolanowski and Dr. Hab. Agata Tyczewska, Prof. BICH PAS, were awarded the habilitation degree, while Prof. Dr. Hab. Annie Pasternak was granted the title of professor.

The event concluded with a performance by the Poznań Chamber Choir PAS under the direction of Dr. Alicja Szeluga, followed by a symbolic treat in the main hall.