Assoc. Prof. Dr. Izabela Małysz-Cymborska | Neurogenetics | Best Researcher Award
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Izabela Małysz-Cymborska, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Poland.
Dr. Izabela Małysz-Cymborska is a distinguished biomedical researcher and Associate Professor in Neurosurgery at the University of Warmia and Mazury, Poland. Her academic path began with a Master’s in Biology and culminated in a Ph.D. focused on hormonal mechanisms, followed by a Habilitation in Medicine. Her research spans neuroregeneration, stem cell therapy, and immunomodulatory strategies for neurological diseases such as ALS and stroke. She has led and contributed to nationally funded projects like NanoTech4ALS, Explore Me, and her current OPUS-funded investigation using a swine model for stroke therapy. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges molecular biology, reproductive science, and clinical neuroscience, demonstrating a rare ability to translate foundational research into therapeutic innovation.
Profile
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Izabela Małysz-Cymborska embarked on her academic journey with a deep-rooted interest in biological sciences. Born on September 21, 1985, in Poland, she pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, earning a Master of Science degree in Biology in 2009. Her passion for advanced biomedical research led her to the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, where she completed her Ph.D. in 2015. Her doctoral research, grounded in hormonal action mechanisms, laid the foundation for her future contributions to neurobiology and regenerative medicine.
🧠 Professional Endeavors in Neuroscience
Dr. Małysz-Cymborska’s postdoctoral and professional journey has been largely rooted in neuroscientific investigation, with a special focus on neuroregeneration and stroke therapy. Since 2021, she has held the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Warmia and Mazury. Her early postdoctoral fellowships (2015–2018) focused on pioneering work in the application of glial progenitors and stem cells in neurological disorders like ALS. These formative experiences not only enriched her research trajectory but also provided a vital bridge between animal studies and translational medicine.
🧪 Research Focus and Scientific Contributions
Dr. Małysz-Cymborska’s research portfolio reflects a consistent dedication to understanding complex neural pathologies and their treatment through regenerative approaches. She has led and contributed to several national and international projects, including NanoTech4ALS, which investigated MRI-monitored transplantation techniques using hydrogel carriers for ALS treatment. Her current role as Principal Investigator in the OPUS-funded project explores an endovascular model of stroke in swine, opening new therapeutic pathways for immunomodulation. She has also delved into reproductive biology, investigating the influence of gonadotropins on prostaglandin synthesis and the function of the corpus luteum, showcasing her multidisciplinary expertise.
🧬 Bridging Regeneration and Technology
A major hallmark of Dr. Małysz-Cymborska’s work is the integration of regenerative medicine and cutting-edge biomedical technologies. Her involvement in Explore Me and NanoTech4ALS demonstrated her commitment to merging cellular therapy with advanced biomaterials and imaging. These projects explored the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells and human glial progenitors for neurodegenerative conditions, reflecting her drive to push boundaries in translational medicine and neurosurgery.
🏅 Accolades and Recognition
Dr. Małysz-Cymborska’s scientific accomplishments were recognized through her Habilitation Degree in Medicine, awarded in 2022 by the University of Warmia and Mazury—a prestigious academic achievement in Poland that underscores her contributions to the medical sciences. Additionally, her appointment as the Dean’s representative for animal experiments between 2018 and 2019 further illustrates the trust and respect she commands within her institution and the research community.
🌍 Impact and Influence in Translational Neuroscience
Her work has had significant implications not only in Poland but also across the global neuroscience landscape. By focusing on models that simulate real-world human neurological disorders, such as swine models for stroke and ALS, she has established platforms that can more accurately predict treatment outcomes in humans. Her collaborative efforts within national strategic medical programs have enriched the broader field of translational neuroscience, particularly in immune response modulation and neural repair mechanisms.
🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions
As her OPUS project continues until 2025, Dr. Izabela Małysz-Cymborska is poised to deliver crucial insights into stroke immunotherapy. Her legacy lies in her ability to traverse boundaries between endocrinology, neurobiology, and regenerative therapy—crafting a unique niche that advances both fundamental science and clinical application. With a promising trajectory ahead, she is set to influence future protocols in neurovascular therapy, offering hope to patients with currently untreatable conditions.
Publication
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Hydrogel-based scaffolds to support intrathecal stem cell transplantation as a gateway to the spinal cord: clinical needs, biomaterials, and imaging technologies
Authors: JM Oliveira, L Carvalho, J Silva-Correia, S Vieira, M Majchrzak, …
Year: 2018
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Advances in bioinks and in vivo imaging of biomaterials for CNS applications
Authors: EP Oliveira, I Malysz-Cymborska, D Golubczyk, L Kalkowski, …
Year: 2019
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The role of glia in canine degenerative myelopathy: relevance to human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: D Golubczyk, I Malysz-Cymborska, L Kalkowski, M Janowski, JR Coates, …
Year: 2019
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Methacrylated gellan gum and hyaluronic acid hydrogel blends for image-guided neurointerventions
Authors: S Vieira, P Strymecka, L Stanaszek, J Silva-Correia, K Drela, …
Year: 2020
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MRI-guided intrathecal transplantation of hydrogel-embedded glial progenitors in large animals
Authors: I Malysz-Cymborska, D Golubczyk, L Kalkowski, A Burczyk, M Janowski, …
Year: 2018
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Endovascular model of ischemic stroke in swine guided by real-time MRI
Authors: D Golubczyk, L Kalkowski, J Kwiatkowska, M Zawadzki, P Holak, J Glodek, …
Year: 2020
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Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor system in porcine oviducts after induction of ovulation and superovulation
Authors: I Małysz-Cymborska, A Andronowska
Year: 2014
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Rabbit model of human gliomas: implications for intra-arterial drug delivery
Authors: H Qin, M Janowski, MS Pearl, I Malysz-Cymborska, S Li, CG Eberhart, …
Year: 2017
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Two in one: use of divalent manganese ions as both cross-linking and MRI contrast agent for intrathecal injection of hydrogel-embedded stem cells
Authors: L Kalkowski, D Golubczyk, J Kwiatkowska, P Holak, K Milewska, …
Year: 2021
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Effect of hCG and eCG treatments on Prostaglandins Synthesis in the Porcine Oviduct
Authors: I Małysz‐Cymborska, AJ Ziecik, A Waclawik, A Andronowska
Year: 2013
🧾 Conclusion
Dr. Małysz-Cymborska’s career reflects a compelling fusion of scientific curiosity, clinical relevance, and academic rigor. With notable achievements in regenerative medicine and translational neuroscience, she continues to shape the future of therapeutic interventions for complex neurological disorders. Her ongoing research promises to pave the way for advanced stroke treatments and immune-based neurotherapies, cementing her role as a key contributor to modern biomedical science.