1. What position do you hold at Bioton?
Since 2018, I have been serving as Biosynthesis Team Manager in the Biotechnology Department.
2. What do you do at Bioton?
As a member of the Biosynthesis Team, I conduct one of the initial stages of insulin production in the Biotechnology Department. I am responsible for the production of bacterial cultures in bioreactors called fermenters.
Together with the team, I actively participate in optimizing parameters and production techniques for current and future products manufactured in the biosynthesis process. In these processes, we closely cooperate with the Microbiology, Chemical Isolation, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and MST Teams. People from supply and warehouse departments also support us in the aforementioned processes.
Besides current production and optimization work in insulin manufacturing technology, I oversee the correct operation of equipment and installations in the Biosynthesis area. I also participate in design processes and modernization of devices and installations, closely cooperating with the Technical Department and the Validation Department.
3. What was your path to your current position?
My adventure with biosynthesis, in the broad sense, began in 1995. At that time, at the age of 23, I started working as a biosynthesis operator at the Institute of Biotechnology and Antibiotics in the Macierzysz facility. In 1997, I became an employee of Bioton. My career path led from operator through master, senior master, technologist to senior technologist. In 2018, I was entrusted with the position of Biosynthesis Team Manager, which I hold to this day.
4. What are you most proud of in your work?
The greatest pride and satisfaction for me is that for these 27 years of working at Bioton, I was and am a member of a team of people very committed to achieving the goals set before them. I am also proud that together with them, I could contribute to the development of the company. This period was full of many challenges related to the development, implementation, and optimization of insulin production, process scaling, and many modernization projects of devices, installations, and premises in the Biotechnology Department.
5. What inspires you at work?
The biggest inspiration in my work is the opportunity for development and cooperation with people who are also keen on continuously improving their skills and learning new things. I also find situations inspiring when I can actively seek solutions to a given problem and share my knowledge and experience.
6. Do you have any hobbies? How do you like to spend your time after work?
In my opinion, having all kinds of hobbies and developing them gives meaning to life. Hobbies are a way to self-fulfillment, allow you to relax and maintain balance. I have had many in my life, ranging from stamp collecting, modeling, aquarium keeping, to practicing sports such as weightlifting or recreational cycling. Currently, my interests are focused on motorsports, MotoGP races. In the “motorcycle season”, I try to spend my free time exploring interesting places on a motorcycle, and in the winter period – on dismantling it, maintenance, minor repairs, upgrades, etc.
7. What book, movie, podcast – or another type of content – has recently made an impression on you?
As an animal lover (with an emphasis on dogs, which have always been present in my life), the film “Marley and Me” made a big impression on me. It is a story about a newlywed couple of journalists who own a lively Labrador puppy. It shows, in a warm and funny way, the problems of raising a pet combined with organizing everyday life. I recommend watching this movie, but I warn you that the ending makes you reflect on attachment, transience, and the pain of losing a dog friend. It might even bring a tear to some people’s eyes.
8. Do you have any motto or principle that you live by?
Generally, the basic principle I follow can be boiled down to the words: take care to always be yourself in every situation. It’s important not to succumb to the moment, but to act in accordance with what you believe in – in line with your convictions. It may not be a principle that helps in achieving goals “at all costs”, but I have found many times that it is appreciated by others. And the motto that has stuck in my memory is from the Polish TV series “Dom”: “Always act in such a way that nobody has to cry because of you”. I think it’s a motto that, in today’s times, should be often cited and spread.
9. What advice would you give to those who are starting their career path?
From my experience, I can advise to pursue set goals diligently, to draw as much as possible from constructive advice of colleagues and their experience; to be open to new challenges, not to fear criticism and to draw as many conclusions from it for the future as possible. Such an attitude is definitely viewed positively and will result in successes on the career path. A key issue in pursuing professional goals is also to always remember the people we work with, with whom we create a cohesive team. Without them, we have no chance of reaching the set goal.