The youngest doctor in Poland is the MUG's student
12.12.2022
Born in 1999, Wojciech Nazar is the second in the history of the Medical University of Gdańsk, and the fifth person in the country who obtained a doctoral degree before graduation. He defended his doctoral dissertation with honors, being formally a student, at the beginning of the fifth year of his medical studies, thus becoming the youngest doctor in Poland. The supervisor of the work entitled Analysis of changes in social awareness regarding air pollution in Poland in 2016-2022, taking into account the period of the COVID-19 pandemic (Analiza zmian świadomości społecznej dotyczącej zanieczyszczenia powietrza w Polsce w latach 2016-2022 z uwzględnieniem okresu pandemii COVID-19) is Prof. Marek Niedoszytko, Head of the Division of Allergology of the MUG.
– Obtaining the degree of doctor of medical sciences at such an early stage of my career gives me strength for further scientific work. I hope that it will allow me to conduct advanced research in the future and will open up new opportunities for cooperation, both between universities in Poland and internationally – says Wojciech Nazar, Ph.D. – In my future projects, I would like to focus on implementing diagnostic and prognostic algorithms based on the latest mathematical achievements, including machine learning algorithms, also known as artificial intelligence algorithms. This will allow for more personalized and accurate decisions regarding, for example, the choice of treatment method. This will translate into greater effectiveness of the applied treatment regimen and reduce the number of people who, despite undergoing a given therapy and taking the risk of adverse events, have not fully benefited from its potential health benefits.
As the Promoter emphasizes, Wojciech Nazar’s research concerns an important topic, which is air pollution and the problem of social awareness of this topic in Poland. Perhaps disregarding this issue has caused us to breathe the worst air in Europe.
– It should be remembered that the problem of breathing polluted air affects each of us. The United Nations calls air pollution an invisible killer that contributes to a large proportion of deaths from lung cancer, obstructive lung disease and cardiovascular disease – explains Prof. Marek Niedoszytko, Head of the Division of Allergology of the MUG. – Wojciech Nazar, Ph.D. showed great independence and creativity, combining medical knowledge with modern statistical and IT methods. His research required great diligence and perseverance. He published the results of his research in international journals from the top quartile, and his doctoral thesis was awarded by three reviewers.
The young researcher can boast of significant scientific achievements. He is a co-author of four original papers, four review papers and one report presented at the national congress. The topics of research projects include primarily the analysis of social awareness of air pollution in Poland and the exploration of changes in the behavior of Poles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total value of the Impact Factor is 34.46, including 23.64 as the first author. The total score of the Ministry of Science and Education is 965 points, including 665 points as the first author. Five times he reviewed scientific articles in foreign journals with an international reach.
Wojciech Nazar is a scholarship holder of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Poland and the German Academic Exchange Service. This year, he completed scientific and clinical internships in the field of cardiology in Magdeburg and Leipzig, which were financed by ERASMUS+ scholarships. Three times he received the Rector’s Scholarship of the Medical University of Gdańsk for the best students. He also received the individual MUG’s Rector’s Award for his entire scientific and social activity. In addition to scientific activity, he is extremely involved in social work. As a member of the Student Scientific Circle “Pasjonaci Pediatrii” (“Pediatrics Enthusiasts”) he co-organized a number of workshops for young patients staying at the Department of Paediatrics, Gastroenterology, Allergology & Paediatric Nutrition of the MUG. The Getting Healthy Through Fun project was recognized as the best among numerous programs submitted from all European Union countries, taking 1st place in the SALTO AWARDS 2022 competition in the Solidarity and Volunteering category. In addition, he received a special award from the City of Gdańsk during the official gala Active in the European Capital of Volunteering.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Wojciech Nazar was born on 26th of April, 1999. After finishing primary school and junior high school, he attended Heroes of Westerplatte High School in Gdańsk. In 2018, he received his high school diploma and became a graduate of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. In the same year, he began studying medicine at the Medical Faculty of the Medical University of Gdańsk. He is currently a 5th year student.
An active member of the Student Scientific Circle “Pasjonaci Pediatrii” at the Department of Paediatrics, Gastroenterology, Allergology & Paediatric Nutrition of the Medical University of Gdańsk, the Student Scientific Circle of Allergology at the Division of Allergology of the Medical University of Gdańsk and the Student Scientific Circle of Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry of the Medical University of Gdańsk, where he implemented the project Analysis of changes in the concentration of neopterin in the secretion from the upper respiratory tract in response to a viral infection of the respiratory tract under the Young Scientist Program implemented by the Medical University of Gdańsk. The aim of the initiative is to support students interested in developing personal competences and conducting research work.
Co-organizer of animation classes for patients of the Department of Paediatrics, Gastroenterology, Allergology & Paediatric Nutrition of the Medical University of Gdańsk, financed by the grant of the European Solidarity Corps. Manager of the Gdańsk Youth Fund grant, as part of which he organized workshops entitled I know what I eat!, regarding the principles of healthy eating. He actively participated in the organization of the project for the youngest patients entitled I’m on six! I know how to eat healthy!, financed by a grant from the Gdańsk Youth Fund. The above-mentioned social initiatives were carried out as part of the Student Scientific Circle “Pasjonaci Pediatrii” at the Department of Paediatrics, Gastroenterology, Allergology & Paediatric Nutrition of the Medical University of Gdańsk, which was awarded the Red Rose Award for the best Scientific Circle in the Pomeranian Voivodeship in 2021.
Enthusiast of skiing and cycling.
photo Paweł Sudara/MUG, Grzegorz Mehring/gdansk.pl, private archive