Q1. Who inspired you to become a scientist?

It was an organic growth, not something I was inspired by, but rather something facilitated by my mentors and supervisors during my MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral work. I studied biology because I wanted to be a teacher, then realised that I could teach students. But when I experienced mentor-mentee relationships, I realised that this is the best way to do it.

Q2. What drives your research interest?

Initially curiosity. Interesting problems, solving biological puzzles or engineering tasks. Over time, I select problems based on their significance. There are just too many interesting problems to study them all.

Q3. What is your current research focus?

My group focuses on RNA polymerase III biology and how mutations in this fundamental transcription machinery, which synthesises tRNAs and other non-coding RNAs, can lead to tissue-specific problems in humans, manifesting as impaired myelin formation in the brain. Our aim is to understand mechanisms behind RNA polymerase III-related leukodystrophies.

Q4. Who are your current scientific influences?

There are several peers, some at a similar level, others more senior, that I find inspiring. Regarding the scientific method, Karl Popper has permanently influenced me.

Q5. If you hadn’t become a scientist, what would your dream job be?

Probably a teacher or an inventor/entrepreneur. But I would also be tempted to work as a chainsaw or digger operator – it is so satisfying to see the effect of work in minutes rather than in years…

Q6. What are your hobbies?

Being with my family. Also house- and garden-related work such as gardening, carpentry and welding.

Q7. What books influenced you the most?

Today I would say that “The Morality of Thought” by Michal Heller. Short book, but fascinating reading. It discusses how our choices about whether we want to think about something or not are already a moral choice.

Q8. What are your favourite movies?

Comedy “Death at the Funeral” (British version), drama “Shadowlands”, sci-fi “Interstellar”, fantasy “The Lord of the rings”, miniseries “Wataha” („The Border” lub „The Pack” by HBO)

Q9. What advice would you give your 18-year old self?

Follow your passion, discipline yourself to work hard, stop wasting time in front of screens, and make time for good things. Never put career over family. If you want to try everything in life, try quantum physics or medicinal chemistry rather than alcohol and drugs.

Q10. What, in your opinion, is the “next big thing” in the field of scientific research?

I feel that we are very close to designing biology for industrial purposes, including designing enzymes, pathways etc.