The Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering took part in the project in Svalbard | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Gdańsk University of Technology

Inaugural lecture entitled "Photonicnanocoating: learning from nature" was delivered by prof. Vladimir Katanaev from the University of Geneva and presented the latest research results of his team. The host of the event, Dr. Dominika Saikkonen-Dąbrowska, talked about history, nature and climate change in the Arctic. Dr. Dąbrowska participated in the XXXVIII Polish Polar Expedition in 2015-2016 and has been associated with Spitsbergen since then. During the first day of the workshop, all event participants took part in the seminar, presenting the results of their research in the field of biophotonic structures or review works on this topic. Students and PhD students from the Gdańsk University of Technology gave the following presentations: MSc. Emilia Bączkowska "Fluorescence microscopy as the imaging method in biophotonics." Eng. Zuzanna Dunajska "Optogenetics in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease." Eng. Iga Jabłońska "Biochemiluminescence as a new source of renewable energy." Igor Kiżewski "Activation to improve quality." Adam Pacek "The future of photobiological logic gates." Karol Zych "BioPhotonics for Disinfection." MSc. Patryk Sokołowski "Fiber optical sensors - environmental application." Mgr. Eng. Michał Suplewski "Environmental Liquid Diagnostic System." Eng. Maria Babińska "Environmental Liquid Diagnostic System." Jan Łuczkiewicz "Impact of seasonal light variation on circadian rhythms."

The next day, the event organizers invited participants on a field trip to the ice cave, to which the road led through the Longyearbreen glacier. Apart from students from Poland, the participants included students, PhD students and doctors from countries such as Turkey, Portugal, Greece, Serbia, Lithuania, Slovenia and India. For some foreign participants, it was the first opportunity to admire the glacier and its structure up close, and even their first contact with snow. The event ended with an intensive day of lectures, during which participants deepened their knowledge in the field of photonics. The speakers also included scientists from the Gdańsk University of Technology. Prof. Marcin Gnyba gave a lecture on portable photonic systems for measurements in hard-to-reach places in the polar zones, and Dr. Eng. Paweł Wityk presented the biochemical analysis. The event concluded with the ceremonial presentation of participation certificates. After completing Training School Photonic Structure in Arctic Environment - PhoBioS: COST Action CA21159, the bears stayed in Spitsbergen for another few days to collect samples for research planned as part of the IDUB PLUTONIUM "Spitsbergen Challenge" project. Thanks to the support of the Student Government of the Gdańsk University of Technology, students from the "MIŚ" Scientific Club were able to expand the project with additional analyzes of observations of the Arctic environment during the period of snow and ice cover (early spring). In order to collect snow samples, a snowmobile trip to the Templebreen and Longyearbreen glacier was planned, and the analyzes of the research material will be carried out at the Gdańsk University of Technology. In addition to working on the project, the club members found time for additional activities. During their stay in Longyearbyen, they completed a short avalanche ABC training, went skiing, and also found time to play in the snow and build a teddy bear hole in the snow embankment.

PhoBioS - COST Action CA21159