Katarzyna Starowicz

Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences

Katarzyna Starowicz is a Professor of Medical and Health Sciences at the Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences (IF PAN) in Krakow, Poland, a position she has held since 2007. She holds an M.Sc. degree from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, and a Ph.D. from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. She has recently assumed the role of President of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) for the upcoming year.

Prof. Starowicz specializes in chronic pain treatment strategies, particularly focusing on enhancing the effectiveness of neuropathic and osteoarthritis therapies by targeting the endogenous cannabinoid system. She has led significant research at the Maj Institute of Pharmacology, concentrating on the neurochemistry of pain and the role of cannabinoid receptors in joint diseases. Her group also investigates cannabinoid functions in chondrocyte regeneration, the inflammatory component in osteoarthritis, and the regulation of chondrocytes and osteoblast activity by cannabinoid receptor ligands.

She is a highly sought-after speaker, frequently presenting her research at international conferences and scientific meetings. Her contributions to the field have been widely recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award and the National Science Centre Award in Life Sciences. Most recently, she received the ICRS Mid-Career Award for her outstanding contributions to cannabinoid research.

Prof. Starowicz is also deeply committed to advancing the scientific community. She actively participates in the organization and development of scientific programs, serving on various program committees, such as the Scientific Programme Committee for EFIC 2023, among many others. Her involvement ensures the promotion of cutting-edge research and the support of early-career scientists in the field.