Dr hab. Anna Tabęcka-Łonczyńska, prof. WSIiZ

Associate Professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Cell Biology.

Employed at at the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów since 2021.

Education:

2020 – University of Rzeszów – D.Sc. “habilitation” – postdoctoral degree in the field of Natural Sciences (date of approval 06/11/2020), based on the evaluation of her scientific achievement presented as a series of thematically related research articles entitled: “Regulation of Seasonal Reproductive Processes in Male European Bison (Bison bonasus, Linnaeus 1758)”.

2010 – University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine –
PhD in Veterinary Sciences in the field of reproduction from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, defending her doctoral dissertation with distinction. The title of her doctoral dissertation was: “Seasonal Changes in the Counter-Current and Destination Transfer of Steroid Hormones in the Vessels of the Reproductive Organs of the Male Domestic Pig”. The dissertation was supervised by Professor Marek Koziorowski.

2006–2007 – postgraduate studies in pedagogical preparation at the University of Rzeszów.

2002 – University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine,

She is the author of numerous internationally recognised scientific publications. She has served as principal investigator and researcher in several scientific projects, including: “The Role of Autophagy in the Regulation of Seasonal Reproductive Activity in Mature Male European Bison (Bison bonasus)”, funded by the National Science Centre, 2017–2018; “Seasonal Changes in the Counter-Current and Destination Transfer of Steroid Hormones in the Vessels of the Reproductive Organs of the Male Domestic Pig”, funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, 2007–2010; “Can Information on Changes in Natural Environmental Lighting Be Transmitted via the Humoral Pathway — Humoral Phototransduction — from the Retina to the Central Nervous System?”, funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, 2007–2010; and “Seasonal Changes in the Concentrations of Steroid and Thyroid Hormones, Leptin and Growth Factors in Peripheral Blood and Their Receptors in the Gonads of Domestic Pig × Wild Boar Hybrid Gilts. Total Antioxidant Activity”, commissioned by the State Committee for Scientific Research, 2003–2005.

She has also participated in projects such as “Strengthening and Developing the Teaching Potential of the University and Increasing the Number of Graduates in Fields of Key Importance for a Knowledge-Based Economy”, funded by the European Social Fund, and “Higher Education and Science”, funded by European Funds. In addition, she has been involved in numerous internal research projects at the University of Rzeszów.

She serves as an editor for the journal Endocrinology and Metabolic Research, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Journal of Internationl Molecular Sciences and has authored numerous scientific reviews for various journals.

She has completed the following national and international research internships:

‐ Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, Department of Local Physiological Regulations of the Institute of Reproduction and Food Research, Olsztyn; January ‐ February 2007; methods and practical skills in radioactive isotope labeling of protein hormones, quantitative analysis of steroid and protein hormones in biological animal material.

‐ Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Department of Endocrinology, Krakow October 2012; methods of molecular biology used in studies of seasonality in breeding of domestic pigs.

‐ University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland ‐ April 2013; laser microdissection, application in studies on reproductive seasonality.

‐ Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uppsala, Sweden ‐ February 2018; the use of computer sperm analysis, sperm quality assessment using fluorescent markers, the use of various fertility tests and sperm selection based on sperm quality.

‐ University of Zurich (UZH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland ‐ June 2018; modern methods of molecular biology and cell cultures.

‐ Polytechnic at Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal, May 2019; modern techniques to preserve the quality of collected semen in farm animals. LAB University of Applied Sciences, Lappeenranta, February 2020, modern methods of molecular biology.

‐ Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, September 2024; Molecular biology methods in the analysis of substances with endocrine‐disrupting potential, their impact on the induction of neurodegenerative diseases and disorders of male reproduction.

‐ Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry from 06.08.2025, to 03.10.2025 ( 2 months) ‐ molecular design of potential tubulin inhibitors using in silico methods based on in‐home library of thiazolidine derivatives and related heterocyclic compounds; cell culture work, specifically maintaining cell lines for further experiments involving newly synthesized compounds with cytotoxic activity against leukemia, breast cancer and colon cancer cell lines.

‐ Gustave Roussy Institute, Paryż, Francja, April 2026; advanced biomedical research methods and laboratory practice ‐ introductory and advanced training in flow cytometry; training in confocal and fluorescence microscopy.

Research achievement

A series of studies have revealed the key role of melatonin, growth factors (VEGF‐A, FGF‐2, IGF‐1, IGF‐1R), klotho protein, and autophagy in regulating seasonal reproductive activity in male European bison (Bison bonasus), a protected and endangered species. Findings include:

‐ the influence of melatonin on testicular cells and blood vessels of the spermatic cord (Tabęcka‐Łonczyńska et al., 2017),

‐ season‐ and tissue‐specific expression of VEGF‐A and FGF‐2 (2018),

‐ the key regulatory role of IGF‐1 and IGF‐1R in reproductive seasonality (2019),

‐ identification of MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors in the reproductive tract (2018),

‐ the importance of autophagy in seasonal tissue remodeling (2019).

These results highlight a dynamic relationship between gene/protein expression, tissue type, and season, which maintains tissue homeostasis and reproductive function. Given the endangered status of the European bison, these molecular insights may support conservation efforts and contribute to preserving this species as part of national heritage. Additionally, recent research has addressed the effects of antidepressants and xenobiotics on the male gonads and brain under in vivo and in vitro conditions, offering further context for environmental and pharmacological impact on reproductive health.