Christmas Grants 2025 awarded!

Here they are – active, creative, and full of enthusiasm and energy, the students and doctoral candidates of Warsaw University of Technology. From an impressive 119 applications, twenty fortunate recipients were chosen to receive the Christmas Grant 2025, funded by donations collected during last year’s WUT Christmas Market. Let’s get to know them better.

This year’s Christmas Grant winners

Grigorii Chernyshov

A student of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, he combines academic, sporting, and community engagement. As president of the BIMgo Student Research Group, Grigorii leads 3D modelling workshops for secondary-school and university students, and actively promotes science at Warsaw University of Technology through events such as Open Days, the Matura Fair, and KONIK. He also serves as coach and head of the WUT AZS Table Tennis Section, where his leadership helped the women’s team secure 3^rd place among technical universities. Beyond sport, he organises signature events such as the legendary “Madman’s Cup” tournament, which brings together students, lecturers, and university leaders during the annual Christmas Market. An international volunteer with over 500 hours of service, he has also represented Warsaw University of Technology abroad through the Erasmus+ exchange programme in Ireland.

Dominik Chmielak 

A student of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology and graduate of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Dominik serves as President of the Robotics Student Research Group. For the past four years, he has been developing the Mars rover HAL062, which competes in the University Rover Challenge and the European Rover Challenge. During his leadership, the group has expanded its scope, launched new projects, and grown from 30 to more than 100 active members. He has been involved in securing numerous grants to support these initiatives and has represented Warsaw University of Technology at a wide range of science outreach events. Outside of his academic and organizational work, he is an avid Formula 1 fan, enjoys building LEGO sets, and takes particular satisfaction in wiring components for the rover.

Paweł Czernic

A second-year doctoral candidate specialising in the use of modern measurement techniques in geodesy and beyond. Paweł’s diploma theses have won first place in both national and European competitions. He is an active member of the MARS PW team, in which he collaborates with NASA. Paweł is deeply engaged in science outreach and promoting Warsaw University of Technology. He leads rover demonstrations for schools and nurseries, co-organises educational events, and helps run initiatives aimed at students at geodesy technical schools across Poland. He enjoys combining research with fieldwork and the dissemination of new technologies, always mindful of proudly representing his Alma Mater. When not focused on space, he turns to the past, participating in archaeological missions in Egypt, Oman, Kuwait, and Libya, where he is responsible for a wide range of geo-related aspects.

Iga Gamska 

A student of the Faculty of Automotive and Construction Machinery Engineering, Iga has been an active member of the WUT Racing Student Research Group for the past three years. Last year she served as deputy coordinator, and she now leads the aerodynamics division, which is responsible for designing and producing the team car’s aerodynamic package. She has represented Warsaw University of Technology at numerous Formula Student competitions – last season in Hungary and Poland, and this year in Austria, the Czech Republic, and once again in Poland, where the team twice secured podium finishes. In her free time, she is passionate about motoring and swimming.

Kacper Huszcza

A second-year Management student at the Faculty of Management, Kacper is actively involved in the Aviators Student Research Group. He served as organiser of the 22^nd Fair of Student Research Groups and Organisations (KONIK) and currently leads the volunteer team at the Warsaw Marathon Foundation. He has also contributed as a volunteer to numerous initiatives run by the WUT Office of Communication and Promotion. Kacper thrives on challenges and new experiences. In his free time, he enjoys DIY projects, hiking in the mountains, and exploring his interest in marketing.

Natalia Izdebska

A doctoral candidate at the Faculty of Chemistry, Natalia is the winner of the national FameLab science communication competition and recipient of the Audience Award at FameLab International. She also triumphed in the Warsaw University of Technology edition of the 2024 Three Minute Thesis, taking both first place and the Audience Award. She leads two research projects, is the author of scientific publications and a patent application, and has presented her work at numerous international conferences. Actively involved in the Faculty of Chemistry’s Promotion Office, she contributes to Open Days, runs workshops for sixth-form students, and volunteers her time to support fellow students. Outside of academia, she is passionate about climbing and is the proud carer of a four-legged companion named Kaja.

Jakub Jażdżyk

A student of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, Jakub is passionate about water sports and chess. He is a member of Enactus WUT and the Business in Technology Student Research Group, and the founder of two startups: Zaklepuje.To, a booking system for kayak rentals, and SUPomat.eu, the first self-service network of SUP board rental stations in Poland. Through these projects he achieved 1^st place in the BraveCamp Entrepreneurship Academy and 2^nd place in the Enactus National Competition. At weekends, he enjoys hiking in the mountains.

Kacper Kowalski

A student of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology at Warsaw University of Technology, Kacper has been actively involved with the WUT Racing Student Research Group since the beginning of his studies. He serves as deputy coordinator of the electronics division, co-responsible for the design, development, and integration of the car’s electronic systems, including measurement, control, and wiring. He plays a key role in preparing the team for Formula Student competitions, where WUT Racing consistently achieves success on the international stage, competing against leading teams from across Europe and beyond. He has also represented the university at numerous events promoting science, technology, and motorsport. Passionate about electronics, motorsport, and modern technologies, he is steadily developing his expertise in embedded systems, circuit design, and vehicle engineering.

Miłosz Kurtysiak

A student of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, Miłosz previously completed Robotics and Automation at the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering. He has been a member of the Student Astronautics Research Group for four years and, for nearly two, has served as coordinator of its Robotics Section. With the SKA Robotics team, he has taken part in numerous international rover competitions. Beyond his academic and organisational work, he enjoys the mountains, skiing, modelmaking, sport shooting, and is a devoted cat enthusiast.

Mateusz Markiewicz 

A student of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Mateusz has been an active member of the interdisciplinary SAE AeroDesign Student Research Group since the beginning of his studies. In the 2024/2025 academic year, as team coordinator in the Micro class, he led the design and construction of an aircraft that twice reached the podium at international SAE AeroDesign competitions. He has represented the university, his faculty, and research group at events such as the KONIK Fair, Open Days, and the International Defence Industry Exhibition. He is currently coordinating the Regular class aircraft, overseeing its design and construction for the upcoming edition of the competition. Passionate about aviation and space, he is also a fan of science fiction literature and enjoys spending time with friends.

Filip Langiewicz

A student of the Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Filip has been actively involved for several years in the BEST Student Association at Warsaw University of Technology, organising events designed to broaden students’ skills and competencies. He played a key role in delivering the 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th editions of the BEST Hacking League hackathon, enabling students from across Poland to compete and test their programming abilities under time pressure. As a member of the CombAIns team, he has twice achieved top results in international hackathons – securing 1^st place in the HackCarpathia competition in the AI Flight category and winning the international title at the Bit N Build hackathon. In his free time, he is a sports enthusiast and a fan of good cinema.

Anna Łabęda 

A doctoral candidate at the Faculty of Materials Engineering, Anna focuses her research on the effects of laser texturing and chemical modification of aerospace polyurethane coatings on their hydro- and ice-repellent properties. During her studies she was actively involved in the Warsaw University of Technology Students’ Union, and she now promotes knowledge of materials engineering through participation in Open Days, Young Engineers’ Festivals, and the National Days of Materials Engineering. She has also led workshops for secondary school pupils. She is a member of the judging panel for the 22^nd and 23^rd editions of the Materials Knowledge Competition and has represented Warsaw University of Technology at events such as the Warsaw Matura Fair and the International Education Fair. Anna also volunteers with the DKMS Foundation. “I really enjoy convincing younger people that science can be liked. Explaining complex issues in an accessible way is my way of sparking curiosity about science” – this has been her motto since the start of her doctorate.

Bartłomiej Łuszczuk 

A biotechnology student at the Faculty of Chemistry and participant in the ID studies programme, Bartłomiej gained organisational experience through involvement in the Herbion Student Research Group and the Symbioza Student Association. The past six months have been marked by a series of successes: an internship at ETH Zurich as part of the prestigious Amgen Scholars programme, 2^nd place in the FameLab final, and representing Poland at the global synthetic biology competition iGEM with the HepaSwitch team. Outside the laboratory, he swaps test tubes for the student dormitory kitchen, where he cooks with a zero-waste approach, or turns his attention to planning his next sailing adventure.

Monika Marek

A master’s student at the Faculty of Physics, Monika is passionate about nuclear physics and takes part in the HyperKamiokande research project. She also serves as president of the CAMAC Student Research Group and contributes to the Student Astronautics Research Group, where she is involved in developing the Sirius II Mars rover project. She has represented Warsaw University of Technology at numerous science outreach events and is socially engaged as a hospice volunteer.

Grzegorz Radzikowski

A student of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Grzegorz has been a longstanding member of the WUT Racing Student Research Group, supporting the team with his expertise in electronics and mechanics. He currently serves as Vice-President for Technical Affairs. During his time with the group, he has represented Warsaw University of Technology in eight editions of the international Formula Student competition, where the team has secured numerous podium finishes. In his free time, he is a motorsport enthusiast and enjoys DIY projects.

Michał Segień 

A student of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Michał served as Vice-Chair of the SAE AeroDesign Student Research Group in the 2024/2025 academic year, during which the team secured five medals, including one gold, at the SAE Aero Design East and West competitions. In the course of these contests he acted as pilot of the Micro class unmanned aircraft, which, thanks to innovative strategies and technical solutions, achieved 2^nd place in the Mission Performance, ranking and 3^rd Overall. He is now coordinator of the Advanced class aircraft for the 2026 edition of the competition. By day he is an enthusiast of fast cycling, and by night enjoys ice-skating at Torwar.

Magdalena Sieńska

A third-year student of Automation, Robotics, and Industrial Informatics at the Faculty of Mechatronics, Warsaw University of Technology, Magdalena has been an active member of the WUT Racing team since the beginning of her studies, combining technical and organisational responsibilities. She specialises in aerodynamics and composite materials. She has served as Vice-President for Organisational Affairs, PR Coordinator, and mechanic responsible for the aerodynamic package during international Formula Student competitions. She has frequently represented the university at industry events, promoting engineering and the team’s activities.

Karolina Skalska 

A student of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Karolina serves as President of the Student Vehicle Aerodynamics Research Group, within which she has managed several scientific grants, taken part in the international MotoStudent 2025 competition, and represented Warsaw University of Technology at numerous national and international conferences. In addition, in her free time she has served as Chair of the International Cooperation Committee of the Warsaw University of Technology Students’ Union.

Mikołaj Stasiak

A student of the Faculty of Mechatronics, Mikołaj has been involved with the Robotics Student Research Group since the beginning of his studies. He works on the HAL062 rover project, where he leads the mechanics division. A regular participant in the Rover Challenge series, he won 1^st place in the Student SolidWorks Design Competition for his innovative suspension design for the rover. Beyond his work in the group, he continues to broaden his skills, securing 3^rd place in the MathWorks Minidrone Competition and reaching the finals of its European edition. He also shares his interests at outreach events such as the Science Picnic, Warsaw University of Technology Open Days, and the Night at the Institute of Aviation. Privately, he is passionate about robotics and space exploration, spending his free time on personal technical projects and travelling.

Maja Szymańska 

A student of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Maja has been actively involved in the SAE AeroDesign Student Research Group since the beginning of her studies. She works on the design and construction of aircraft models for competitions in the United States. She took part in the SAE AeroDesign contests in 2024 and 2025, during which the group’s projects achieved multiple podium finishes. Passionate about aviation, she enjoys sharing her experiences with others. She is currently coordinating the Regular class aircraft project for this year’s edition of the SAE competition.