Iwona Szwach
Director of Łukasiewicz - ICSO "Blachownia".
She is a graduate of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of the University of Silesia in Katowice, where she obtained a master’s degree in biology, and PhD in technical sciences in 2000. In 2016, she obtained the academic degree of habilitated doctor in the field of technical sciences, awarded by a resolution of the Council of the Faculty of Environmental and Power Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology. She has completed many courses in the fields of process management and quality management systems.
Her professional career started at the Institute of Heavy Organic Synthesis “Blachownia” in the Department of Surfactants. She gained professional experience in managing scientific and R&D activities as well as in managing a research institute by moving up the career ladder from the head of a research team to an accredited laboratory, an analytical department, deputy director for research, and then science. On April 1, 2020, she took the position of Director of Łukasiewicz – ICSO “Blachownia”.
In the years 2011–2019, she was a member of the Committee for the Evaluation of Scientific Units, a member of the Specialist Team for the assessment of applications for financing the purchase or production of research equipment constituting large research infrastructure and construction investments serving the needs of scientific research or developmental works at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and a member of the Scientific Council of the Textile Research Institute in Łódź and of ICSO “Blachownia”. Currently, she is the vice president of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, a member of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN/TC19/WG33), and an expert in NOT. On April 21, 2021, she became a member of the Social Council of the Silesian University of Technology. She is a member of the Employers’ Council of the University of Engineering and Health in Warsaw, an expert of the Science Evaluation Committee at the Ministry of Education and Science, and a member of the Main Council of Research Institutes. On June 26, 2023, she was appointed a member of the Team of Experts for the Regional Innovation Strategy of the Opolskie Voivodeship 2030.
Iwona Szwach is a co-author of 28 publications, 52 papers, 6 implementations, 3 patents, and 69 reports. She specializes in the field of ecotoxicological research and analyzes related to environmental protection. She has experience in cooperation and project management, including research, targeted and investment projects, as well as in cooperation with business entities in the implementation of R&D works, services, and expertise.