MUG’s first-ever joint Ph.D. in collaboration with Amsterdam University Medical Center

21.03.2025

Marika Anna Frańczak from the Department of Biochemistry at the Medical University of Gdańsk (MUG), has successfully defended her doctoral dissertation as part of a joint Ph.D. programme conducted in collaboration between Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre (VUmc) Amsterdam and the MUG. Her ground-breaking dissertation entitled Effects of selective lactate dehydrogenase A inhibitors and their mechanism in cancer and non-cancer cells focuses on research into novel selective lactate dehydrogenase A inhibitors and their potential role in cancer therapies.

The uniqueness of this particular Ph.D. programme is highlighted by an unprecedented dissertations defence format, i.e. two separate ceremonies were held in Amsterdam (on 24th January) and Gdańsk (on 7th March). This was the first event of its kind in the history of collaboration between the two universities, making this Ph.D. project particularly exceptional. Additionally, the author’s remarkable scientific output includes 12 publications, 11 of which have been featured in prestigious international journals with a total Impact Factor (IF) of 49.3.

The realisation of this unique Ph.D. project was supervised by a distinguished team of researchers:

• Prof. Ryszard Smoleński (MUG)
• Prof. Godefridus J. Peters (MUG)
• Prof. Elisa Giovannetti (VUmc Amsterdam)
• Prof. Filippo Minutolo (University of Pisa)

This outstanding achievement not only demonstrates the excellence of cooperation between the VUmc Amsterdam and the MUG but also underscores the growing importance of interdisciplinary and international research in shaping modern science.