AGH UST scientist has received Fulbright Award

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The Polish – U.S. Fulbright Commission has just announced the names of grantees in three categories addressed to scholars, PhD candidates and students.  Jakub Matusik, DSc, from the Department of Mineralogy, Petrography and Geochemistry at the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection has been granted Fulbright Senior Award, which will enable our scientist to conduct research work combined with lecturing in the United States in the 2019/2020 academic year. 

During his 6-month research visit at A&M Texas University (College Station, TX), Mr Jakub Matusik will be working as part of the team headed by Professor Youjun Deng on his research project: Immobilization of Mycotoxins by New Mineral-Based Absorbents. The main aim of the project is to assess the possibilities of using new-generation mineral solvents for removal and/or immobilization of mycotoxins. These compounds, which are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, are known for their toxic impact on living organisms. Mycotoxins occuring in food and livestock feed are a serious global problem, leading to substantial economic loss. Properly designed materials based on mineral structures can reduce bioavailability of the toxins. The project will involve the use of a number of analytical methods with a view to investigating the mechanisms underlying interactions between mycotoxins and the mineral sorbents used. The research combines the knowledge of experimental mineralogy (mineral engineering) with environmental protection.

Jakub Matusik, DSc, is the leader of the MBA Research Group (Mineral-based Architectures Group), which he runs together with Professor Tomasz Bajda. The group’s members include PhD candidates from the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, who conduct research work as part of projects financed by NCN and NCBR. The research is focused predominantly on the applicability of natural and synthetic minerals for the production of functional materials to be used in industry and environmental protection.

More details available on: http://www.mba.agh.edu.pl/ 

Full list of Fulbright grant recipients

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