Prof.  Agnieszka Chacińska – group leader and director of IMol, the institute of Polish Academy of Sciences. Graduated from Biology Faculty at the University of Warsaw; received a doctoral degree in biochemistry at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences with Prof. Magdalena Boguta, and habilitation degree from the same institute. Completed post-doctoral training with Prof. Nikolaus Pfanner, followed by a junior group leader position at the University of Freiburg in Germany. Since 2009 the head of Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biogenesis established in the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and currently operating in IMol PAS. 

Interested in biochemistry of cells and molecular aspects of cell biology. This includes biogenesis, transport and degradation of mitochondrial proteins and their failure resulting in pathologies. Her major contribution during the last 8 years has been the identification of a cross-talk of defective mitochondrial protein import and other mitochondrial deficiencies with cellular protein homeostasis and underlying molecular mechanisms.

Recipient of multiple awards and prestigious grants, including ReMedy project financed by the Foundation for Polish Science as part of the International Research Agendas Programme, Welcome Grant from the Foundation for Polish Science, and  Maestro grant from the National Science Centre. Corresponding member of Polish Academy of Sciences, elected member of European Molecular Biology Organization and Academia Europaea. Awarded the title of Professor by the President of the Republic of Poland in 2014.