TNMU Scientist Participated in the Erasmus+ Academic Mobility Program

On June 5-9, 2024, Associate Professor of the Department of Pharmacognosy and Medical Botany Mariia Shanaida visited Katowice (Republic of Poland) as part of the international academic mobility program Erasmus+ Key Action 171 Staff Mobility for Teaching under the Erasmus+ Program. Academic mobility was carried out in order to internationalize the educational process and in response to the invitation of the Rector of the Higher Medical School in Katowice (Śląska Wyższa Szkoła Medyczna w Katowicach).

Participation in this international program made it possible to present the achievements in some areas of phytochemical research of promising types of medicinal plants and to exchange experience with leading foreign scientific and pedagogical workers. Lectures were given for students on the medicinal properties of plants, as well as their use in the field of dermatology and cosmetology. The issues of identification and quantitative analysis of the most important groups of biologically active substances in plant raw materials and phytoremedies were discussed. There was a debate about the prospects of using the detoxification functions of medicinal plants and the possibilities of using natural substances as immunoprotectors.

As part of the visit, Mariia Shanaida also took part in the conference of students and young scientists, which took place on June 7-9, 2024. At this conference, she presented a report at the plenary session and invited the participants to familiarize themselves with the results of the scientific activities in poster presentations. She also took part in the evaluation of presented presentations of scientific works as a member of the jury. In total, at this conference there were more than 40 oral presentations and 37 posters on various topics of the medical and pharmaceutical direction, as well as nutrition and cosmetology. Workshops in cosmetology and dietology were held, which contributed to the acquisition of new knowledge and the establishment of professional contacts. During the discussions, the main challenges facing modern pharmaceutical education and possible ways to overcome them were outlined.

The participants of the scientific event had the opportunity to learn about the cultural heritage of the city of Katowice, to view historical and modern architectural ensembles and art locations.

I believe that the exchange of advanced scientific and pedagogical experience and the laying of the foundations for further cooperation regarding the analysis of the chemical composition of raw materials of promising types of medicinal plants and the possibility of developing medicines and dietary supplements based on them is an important direction for the development and implementation of joint scientific research at the laboratory facilities of both educational institutions.

The information received will be used during lectures and practical classes, as well as in the preparation of qualification papers by students of TNMU Faculty of Pharmacy.

The information was provided by Mariia Shanaida, Associate Professor of TNMU Department of Pharmacognosy and Medical Botany.