Environmental Engineering has many facets. Dr. Magdalena Olak-Kucharczyk, Senior Specialist for Scientific Research in the Łukasiewicz Research Network, talks about the wide range of opportunities offered by completing a course at the Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering. She conducts advanced research in the field of textiles.
Why did you choose to study at the Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering? What influenced this decision?
I come from a small town, so naturally, the environment and ecology have always been close to my heart. Therefore, I decided to study at a Technical High School with a profile in Environmental Protection and Shaping. After high school, I was sure about the direction of my education. I was considering studying at Lodz University of Technology or the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW). Eventually, I chose the Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering at TUL, which turned out to be a very good decision. In my opinion, the greatest advantage of this faculty is its interdisciplinarity and the approach to the problem from both the process and project perspective.
Environmental engineering - what do studies in this field offer?
While studying environmental engineering, I gained a vast knowledge about air purification technologies, sewage treatment, water conditioning, waste management, as well as noise protection. I would recommend this course to people who are not afraid of challenges, are creative, and are aware of environmental problems, which have become extremely important in recent times. I am referring here, for example, to climate change or the shrinking sources of natural resources.
Environmental protection issues became so important to you that after your studies, you chose the path of science. What issues did you dedicate your doctorate to?
While preparing my master's thesis, I decided to continue the research work and decided to start doctoral studies at the Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering , and so began my fascinating adventure with science, which continues to this day. My doctoral thesis was about the removal of micro-pollutants from the aquatic environment. Given that conventional sewage treatment plants are not effective in removing this type of pollution, I applied advanced oxidation and ozonation methods for their degradation.
After your doctorate in sewage treatment, you took up work in a rather surprising place - the Institute of Textiles. What do you do?
Yes, that's true, it's quite surprising. When I started working at Łukasiewicz - Institute of Textiles, my knowledge about textiles was very small. However, over time, as I began to understand the phenomena and processes associated with textiles, I realized that they can be linked to environmental engineering, so I can confidently say that the Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering graduates are "total engineers" who can find work in various branches of industry. Łukasiewicz - Institute of Textiles is a scientific research institution, part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network. I am a scientist and I conduct research in the field of environmental engineering, especially ozonation and advanced oxidation of organic compounds.
What does your work at Łukasiewicz - Institute of Textiles give you?
Working at Łukasiewicz - Institute of Textiles has allowed me to expand my knowledge and develop interdisciplinary research in the field of materials engineering, textiles, and environmental protection. In my work, I also appreciate the opportunity to combine scientific and professional development. In the Łukasiewicz Research Network, thanks to the challenge system, we have more contact with industry than at university, which in turn enables us to solve problems that entrepreneurs come to us with.
What solutions improving the quality of waters do your research lead to?
The development of modern analytical techniques allows for the detection of ever lower concentrations of pollutants in the aquatic environment. Hence, we can learn that various xenobiotics, such as hormone mimics, antibiotics, or a wide range of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, which are not removed during conventional sewage treatment processes, are present in surface waters worldwide. Advanced oxidation techniques, for example, are effective in removing this type of micro-pollutant. The positive results of my research could in the future serve to develop technologies for removing the mentioned pollutants from the aquatic environment.
Interviewed by: Dr. Aleksandra Pawlik
Graphics: Filip Podgórski
Photos: Łukasiewicz Research Network
Łukasiewicz - Institute of Textiles has been implementing projects in the field of textile innovations for 75 years. It is a notified unit in the field of personal protective equipment. It has accredited research laboratories, scientific institutes, and a product and service certification unit. As the only center in Poland, it conducts certification by OEKO-TEX®. Since 2019, the Institute of Textiles has been part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network.