After more than two decades of dedication, Prof. Zygmunt Derewenda, the founder of the BioLAB internship program, is retiring. His contributions to educating future generations of scientists and fostering collaboration between Poland and the USA are invaluable. Thanks to his efforts, hundreds of Polish students have had the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience in world-class research laboratories and embark on an American adventure.
Biographical Note
Prof. Zygmunt Derewenda graduated from the Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences at the University of Łódź in 1976. He earned his PhD in chemistry at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. He worked as a research scientist at the University of York in the UK and served as a professor of biochemistry at the University of Alberta in Canada. Since 1996, he has been a professor of molecular physiology and biophysics at the University of Virginia in the USA. He has also lectured in South Korea, Australia, and at numerous universities across Europe and the United States.
Prof. Derewenda specializes in molecular biology and protein crystallography, focusing on topics such as smooth muscle contractility and hypertension etiology, as well as research on new drugs against the Ebola virus.
The Beginnings of the BioLAB Program
The BioLAB program, originally known as the Visiting Research Graduate Traineeship Program (VRGTP), was launched in 2000 when Prof. Derewenda invited the first students from the University of Łódź to intern at the University of Virginia. He recalls:
“The first student came to my lab in Charlottesville in 2000; her name was Agnieszka, and she was a master’s student in biophysics. The following year, I started collaborating with Prof. Jacek Otlewski from the University of Wrocław, and the first student to arrive was Marcin. I asked Agnieszka to pick Marcin up from Dulles Airport – today, they are happily married and living in San Francisco, California.”
In the following years, the program expanded rapidly, welcoming institutions such as the University of Chicago (2006), the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (2013), and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2014).
Today, BioLAB is the largest internship program in the USA for Polish students in biological, chemical, biophysical, and medical sciences. Each year, approximately 40 students participate in the program.
The Program’s Impact on Alumni Careers
Among the more than 600 BioLAB alumni, over 90% have continued their scientific careers, with many achieving success in academia and industry on the international stage. Research conducted within the program has resulted in numerous publications in prestigious journals such as Nature and Acta Crystallographica. Many alumni emphasize that their participation in BioLAB was a pivotal moment in their careers, opening doors to PhD programs and work in leading laboratories worldwide.
“Thanks to your work, I had a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience, expand my knowledge, and continue my development. Your professionalism and dedication ensured that the BioLAB Program not only provided substantive value but also inspired further academic and professional growth.”
Agnieszka (2021-22)
“This program gave me a year that I can confidently call one of the best in my life. Through my participation in the program, I met many amazing people, learned incredible things, and even found my soulmate for life.”
Martyna (2014-15)
“Mr. Zygmunt impressed me as an exceptionally kind, charismatic person, full of passion and energy! To this day, I fondly remember the warm hospitality with which he and his wife, Mrs. Urszula, welcomed me into their home for the weekend before my final accommodation was ready.”
Sylwia (2019-20)
“Thanks to his work and passion, we had the chance to gain valuable scientific experience, grow in an inspiring environment, and build relationships that changed our lives—literally. It was through BioLAB that we met, and today we are married. The program not only opened up new career opportunities for us but also became a part of our personal story. We are grateful for the space it created, connecting people on so many levels.”
Patrycja & Paweł (2018-19)
“This experience not only changed my career path but also had a profound impact on my personal life.”
Vanessa (2015-16)
“Thanks to the program, I was able to grow scientifically, gain laboratory experience, and immerse myself in a new culture. Your support during the internship was invaluable to me—also on a personal level. Your dedication, openness, and willingness to help students made this trip incredibly impactful on my life and future career path.”
Hania (2014-15)
Prof. Derewenda’s Legacy
Prof. Zygmunt Derewenda created a unique platform for the development of Polish scientists, becoming a mentor and an inspiration for many. His personal commitment and ability to build lasting relationships have made BioLAB more than just an internship program – it has become a community.
On behalf of hundreds of alumni and the entire BioLAB community, we thank Prof. Derewenda for his vision, passion, and immense contribution to the advancement of Polish science. His legacy will live on in every future participant who, thanks to the BioLAB Program, gets the chance to fulfill their scientific dreams.
Professor, we wish you many successes and much joy in this new chapter of your life!
