Dr Śmiglak from PSTP one of the finalists of the Emerging Technologies Competition
2016-05-09
Emerging Technologies Competition is designed for scientists and research centres from the whole Europe. It is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, a prestigious British organisation bringing together chemical scientists from all over the world. The jury of this year’s edition of the competition greatly appreciated the results of the research conducted by Dr Marcin Śmiglak from PSTP. He is the only Polish researcher who made it to the final of this international contest!
Dr Marcin Śmiglak is conducting research on the increase of arable crops resistance. A method that he has developed has a chance to revolutionise the plant protection market and become a modern strategy used to increase plant resistance to fungi, viruses and bacteria. In this method plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, cereals, tobacco and beans are fed with resistance inducers which stimulate their immune system and prepare the organism for the potential pathogen attack.
The aim of the RSC Emerging Technologies Competition is to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative technologies in the following areas: health & wellbeing, energy & environment, food & water, and materials. Dr Marcin Śmiglak is one the finalists in the Food & Water category. Among the 40 shortlisted entrants in the RSC Emerging Technologies Competition are research teams from many prestigious institutions, such as University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and University of Zurich. Dr Śmiglak will present his research outcomes and technology to a panel of expert judges at the competition final, taking place at the Chemistry Means Business 2016 conference on June 15-16 in London. The first-place winner will receive a tailored business support, exposure for the winning technology and the cash prize of £20,000.
Dr Marcin Śmiglak began his research on the creation of a new group of multifunctional, biologically active chemical compounds to be used in plant protection in Poznan Science and Technology Park of AMU Foundation in 2013 under the HOMING PLUS programme organised by the Foundation for Polish Science. His research outcomes were appreciated when Dr Śmiglak won the first category prize in the IMPULS FNP competition. Now his efforts have been acknowledged by the Royal Society of Chemistry in the Emerging Technologies Competition. The competition final will take place on June 15-16, 2016 in London.
Congratulations and good luck!