Renowned Scientists from Japan at Gdańsk Tech
World-renowned specialist in the field of molecular spectroscopy, Prof. Yukihiro Ozaki, and Prof. Motohiro Tsuboi from Japan's Kwansei Gakuin University, a major global center for spectroscopy and geochemistry, paid a scientific visit to Gdańsk, including Gdańsk Tech. During the visit, the “retroAMBER” project was inaugurated – the largest research project funded by the National Science Centre in the history of Gdańsk Tech, led by Prof. Piotr Konieczka.
World-renowned specialist in the field of molecular spectroscopy, Prof. Yukihiro Ozaki, and Prof. Motohiro Tsuboi from Japan's Kwansei Gakuin University, a major global center for spectroscopy and geochemistry, paid a scientific visit to Gdańsk, including Gdańsk Tech. During the visit, the “retroAMBER” project was inaugurated – the largest research project funded by the National Science Centre in the history of Gdańsk Tech, led by Prof. Piotr Konieczka.
Prof. Yukihiro Ozaki is a world-renowned specialist in the field of molecular spectroscopy, particularly Raman spectroscopy. He is an emeritus professor at KGU, author or co-author of over 1100 scientific publications, and his Hirsch index is approaching 100. He has been honored with numerous awards and distinctions, including two honorary doctorates – from Jagiellonian University and Wrocław University. Since 2024, he is also a foreign member of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences. During his visit to Gdańsk Tech and other universities in Gdańsk, he was accompanied by Prof. Motohiro Tsuboi, an active professor at KGU who actively develops cooperation between KGU and Gdańsk Tech (since 2024, the universities have had a cooperation agreement).
The main goal of Prof. Ozaki’s visit was to disseminate knowledge within the academic community in Gdańsk about advanced applications of Raman spectroscopy in chemistry, pharmacy, and natural sciences, as well as to deepen scientific collaboration.
Professors Encouraged Intensification of Joint Research
Prof. Ozaki delivered three lectures at three universities in Gdańsk: Gdańsk Tech, Medical University of Gdańsk, and University of Gdańsk. Each presentation was thematically adjusted to the profile of the respective institution, and the lectures received great interest from the academic community.
The professors also held official meetings with university authorities. They met with Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech; Prof. Michał Markuszewski, Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk; Vice-Rector Prof. Michał Żmijewski (Medical University of Gdańsk); and Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk. Meetings were also held with the deans’ boards of the Faculty of Chemistry at Gdańsk Tech, Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical University of Gdańsk, and Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Gdańsk.
The scientists from Japan also visited the Amber Museum in Gdańsk, the Inclusion in Amber Museum at the University of Gdańsk, and the beach in Mikoszewo, where they had the opportunity to search for amber on their own.
During the meetings, the professors encouraged the intensification of joint research and academic exchange.
Inauguration of the “retroAMBER” Project
The culmination of the visit by the scientists from Japan was the inaugural meeting of the NCN OPUS project team “retroAMBER” (“Opening the 'amber window' – in-depth and comprehensive studies of selected organic and inorganic chemical signatures contained in fossil resins – a retrospective environmental analysis”).
The project, led by Prof. Piotr Konieczka, is the largest grant in the history of Gdańsk Tech awarded by the National Science Centre. Its total budget is nearly PLN 4 million, of which about PLN 3.8 million is allocated to Gdańsk Tech as the leader, and the consortium partner – University of Warsaw – receives approx. PLN 160,000. The endeavor involves researchers and amber enthusiasts from Gdańsk Tech, University of Warsaw, the Faculty of Biology and the Inclusion in Amber Museum at the University of Gdańsk, as well as the International Association of Amber Experts.
The meeting attended by Prof. Ozaki and Prof. Tsuboi was a symbolic confirmation of close international cooperation and opened a new phase of activities for the retroAMBER team, which will formally begin work in December 2025.
The visit of Prof. Ozaki took place within the PROM program funded by the National Agency for Academic Exchange and was organized on the initiative and under the leadership of Prof. Piotr Konieczka, Head of the Department of Analytical Chemistry and project leader of “retroAMBER,” responsible for all activities related to the visit of the guests from Japan. Dr. Eng. Paweł Hać was responsible for logistical matters. The coordinators of the visit at other universities were: Prof. Alina Plenis (Medical University of Gdańsk), Vice-Dean Prof. Anna Białk-Bielińska (University of Gdańsk).