Monika Kąkol

Dedicated and motivated candidate seeking a PhD position in soil microbiology to contribute to geomicrobiology, leveraging strong academic background and research experience.

• Contract for a specific work [10/2021 - 06/2023]

     Institution: University of Warsaw

     Supervisor: Mirosław Słowakiewicz PhD

     Project founded by National Centre Poland, OPUS 18: 2019/35/B/ST10/02190

     Title: Viral proxies from modern carbonate environments

     Project description (Eng.): https://projekty.ncn.gov.pl/opisy/460398-en.pdf 

-Conducted research on imaging viruses and virus-like particles from modern travertines (Terme di Saturnia, Italy; Karahayıt “Kızılsu” and Pamukkale, Turkey)

-Analyzed data using scanning electron and scanning transmission electron microscopes

-Published findings in Frontiers In Microbiology, 14 November, 2023; https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1279720 

-Presented research at Biominerals and Environment Summer School, Cagliari, Italy, September 2023

• Traineeship in mineralogical samples analysis [06/2023 - 09/2023]

      Institution: University of Calabria,

      Supervisor: Edoardo Perri PhD,

      Topics: 

-construction and operation of electron microscopes, 

-preparation of biological and mineralogical samples necessary in the electron microscope examination, 

-Multiple SEM and TEM sessions, 

Research was carried out on the formation of biofilm, early crystallization and cementation using microorganisms. The trainee gathered information on carbonate precipitation on microorganisms, current research on biofilm, the beginnings of biofilm formation, imaging methods and preparation of samples for various types of electron microscopes. The mentor of the traineeship is an active researcher at the University of Calabria. The trainee participated in the field trip to Buonvicino where she could take part in an experiment regarding the accumulation of microorganisms on mica causing the precipitation of cement. During several field trips, the intern could become familiar with the geology of Calabrian region including the research area.

• Traineeship in geothermal energy [02/06/2020 - 17/07/2020] 193 hours

      Institution: Polish Geological Institute,    

      Supervisor: Mateusz Żeruń

      Activities:

-Assisted in the task of the national geological service: "Assessment of energy potential and environmental conditions to support the sustainable development of low-temperature geothermal energy", 

-Laboratory and field investigations of soil thermal properties, physical-mechanical properties of soils, fieldwork, 

-Development of a database for soil and rock thermal properties and methodology for creating serial maps of low-temperature energy  potential

EXCITE2, Helmholtz Zentrum Potsdam GFZ, (1st November 2022 - 30th April 2023) 

Simplifying the methodology and widening the knowledge about imaging of microorganisms in the modern carbonate settings by scanning electron microscope (SEM)

• A series of classes on the history of geological discoveries on Mars for an elementary school class in Warsaw led by Dr. Mirosław Słowakiewicz, 2022/2023
• The President of the Active Quaternary Club "Gigant", University of Warsaw 2017 - 2019
• Lecture titled "The Earth’s History" as part of the 7th Science Festival "Skołowany Weekend" at the Warsaw University of Technology, year 2019
• Organizing a trip for the members of the club titled "Geological Fascinations", year 2018
• Leading a tour of Warsaw for elementary school students as part of their geography lessons, year 2018

• Practical course in rock magnetism – University of Warsaw
• Geological resource mapping – field practice – University of Warsaw
• Advanced field course in the Sudety Mts. – University of Warsaw
• Field course in the Sudety Mts. – University of Warsaw
• Field course of geology of mineral deposits– University of Warsaw
• Drilling operations - field course– University of Warsaw
• Field-course of geological mapping– University of Warsaw
• Field course in historical geology – University of Warsaw
• Field course on the geomorphology and quaternary geology – University of Warsaw
• Fieldcourse in paleontology – University of Warsaw
• Paleontological excavations in Miedary - Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Subject: Influence of different sample preparation techniques on imaging viruses and virus-like particles by scanning electron and scanning transmission electron microscopes, 

Author: Monika Kąkol; co-authors: Ezher Tagliasacchi, Andrzej Borkowski, Mirosław Słowakiewicz, 

Journal: Frontiers In Microbiology, 2023, 

Abstract: Modern science, being interdisciplinary in nature, often requires specialists from different fields to exceed their own area of expertise. When conducting research on such small entities as viruses, there is a need to develop experimental protocols that facilitate working with demanding biological material from natural environments, including sedimentary environments. In this master's thesis, published as a scientific paper in Frontiers in Microbiology, three example procedures for preparing viral specimens for analysis under an electron microscope are described. These procedures have been enriched in procedure of viral pellet isolation from biofilms growing on modern freshwater carbonate formations. They are based on previously published methods for imaging biological material under an electron microscope (mainly transmission electron microscopy) and adapted to the nature of the biofilm samples and pure bacteriophages, as well as to imaging in scanning (scanning-transmission) electron microscopy. Two of the described procedures (the full procedure and the simplified procedure) can be successfully used to prepare the mentioned microscopic sample. The third procedure ("all at once") revealed many shortcomings, which highlight the errors that can be made while preparing microscopic sample. Each of these procedures is invaluable in showing details and the appearance of viral particles, virus-like particles, and artifacts resulting from the application of chemical reagents or even minerals that came from the sampled biofilm's environment., 

Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1279720

Phyton (basics)

• Mirosław Słowakiewicz PhD

Position: Assistant Professor in the Department of Geochemistry, Mineralogy, and Petrology at the University of Warsaw, 

Institution: University of Warsaw, 

Contact: m.slowakiewicz@uw.edu.pl

• Edoardo Perri PhD

Position: Associate Professor of Geology, 

Institution: University of Calabria, 

Contact: eperri@unical.it

• multi-instrumentalist (favorite music: ethnic music, organic electronic music)
• traveling and building my own van
• permaculture & regenerative agriculture philosophy
• all kind of handcrafts (e.g. macrame, sewing clothes)
• herbal medicine
• the Earth