Professor Rafał Dziadziuszko awarded the Jan Hevelius Prize

10.02.2025

We know the winners of the Gdańsk Nobel Prize. The Jan Hevelius Science Award of the City of Gdansk was presented for the 37th time. The awards were received on 3 February by Prof. Dr. Hab. Rafał Dziadziuszko of the Medical University of Gdańsk, for his outstanding scientific achievements in the field of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of lung cancer, and Prof. Dr. Hab. Tomasz Szkudlarek, professor emeritus of the University of Gdansk and former associate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, for outstanding scientific achievements in the field of the philosophy of education and the conceptualisation of relations between culture, politics, identity and education.
- It is a feeling of joy, but of course, this feeling of joy is backed up by the work of many decades and the desire to change for the better what is around when it comes to cancer, the knowledge of the subject and the ability to work together with the closest and further colleagues from whom we learn every day. But also the patients, thanks to whom we gain motivation for this work – this is how Prof. R. Dziadziuszko commented on his award.

- The annual presentation of the Jan Hevelius Science Award of the City of Gdansk is a celebration not only for the laureates, the university, their scientific communities and families, but also for the city, as it celebrates its outstanding citizens. This year, it is so fortunate that the laureates give us two good things fairly – of the body and of the soul – said Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of the City of Gdańsk, during the ceremony.

During the ceremony, the MUG was represented, among others, by the Rector Prof. Michał Markuszewski, Dr. Michał Hoffmann, professor of the university and vice-rector for clinical affairs, Prof. Przemysław Rutkowski, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Narkiewicz, head of the Department of Hypertension and Diabetology at the MUG, winner of the 2015 Jan Hewelius Science Award of the City of Gdańsk, who delivered a laudation in honour of Prof. Dziadziuszko.
- As a medical community, we enjoy the status of the only medical research university in the country and a leading university hospital. Their position is inextricably linked to the achievements of this year’s laureate of the Jan Hevelius Prize – Professor Rafal Dziadziuszko, an outstanding scientist who is setting the directions for modern oncological therapy, especially the treatment of lung cancer.

Prof. M. Markuszewski made no secret of the fact that the award to Prof. Rafał Dziadziuszko was fully expected by him.
- The award for Prof. Rafał Dziadziuszko is a great joy for me, but absolutely not a surprise. I have had the pleasure of observing Prof. Dziadziuszko’s achievements at the University for many years and I know what an extraordinary person he is both as a scientist and a doctor. His commitment, passion and dedication to his patients are worthy of the highest praise. Professor Dziadziuszko is a world-class specialist who not only contributes to the development of the Medical University of Gdańsk and the University Clinical Centre, but also plays a key role in the progress of world oncology. His research into targeted therapies for lung cancer, conducted at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, among others, is a major contribution to the development of modern treatments. He has authored and co-authored nearly 500 publications, many of which have appeared in the most prestigious scientific journals. From 2013 to 2018, he served as a national consultant in radiation oncology, influencing the development of the field in Poland. But above all, he is a doctor whom patients trust and hold in high esteem. His empathy and professionalism make him not only an outstanding specialist, but also a man who makes a real difference to the lives of others. It is an honour and a privilege to have such a scientist and doctor in our midst. My sincere congratulations on this fully deserved award!

The John Hevelius Prize was first awarded in 1988. So far 59 scientists have received it. It is awarded by the Mayor of Gdańsk on the proposal of two chapters chaired by the President of the Gdańsk Branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences (in the field of sciences and natural sciences) and the President of the Gdańsk Scientific Society (in the field of humanities and social sciences). The chapter of the award also includes the rectors of state higher education institutions in Gdańsk, a representative of the Mayor of Gdańsk, previous winners of the award and a representative of non-public higher education institutions in Gdańsk.