Interview with Dr. Karolina Beton-Mysur—Winner of the Biomedicines Young Investigator Award
Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059) is proud to present the winner of the Biomedicines Young Investigator Award—Dr. Karolina Beton-Mysur!
Dr. Karolina Beton-Mysur is an Assistant Professor of chemistry at Lodz University of Technology, Poland. Her interdisciplinary expertise spans functional nanomaterials, Raman spectroscopy, and biomedical applications, with a strong focus on developing non-invasive diagnostic tools for cancer detection using cutting-edge microspectroscopic techniques.
The following is a short interview with Dr. Karolina Beton-Mysur:
1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself to the readers?
It is a pleasure to introduce myself to the readers. My name is Karolina Beton-Mysur, and I am a chemist, nanotechnologist, and a freshly graduated PhD, currently working as an Assistant Professor at Lodz University of Technology in Poland. I specialize in functional nanomaterials, with a strong focus on non-invasive and ultrafast cancer diagnostics using cutting-edge microspectroscopic techniques.
My academic path has been a dynamic journey through the fascinating world of science—I earned my engineering degree in 2019, followed by a master’s degree with distinction in 2020, and most recently, I defended my doctoral dissertation with honors in September 2024. My research explores the frontiers of cell and tissue culture, especially in relation to the human colon, as well as the influence of various supplements such as dietary compounds, drugs, hormones, and vitamins on both micro- and macroscale systems derived from the human body. I specialize in Raman spectroscopy and imaging, as well as related spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Although Raman spectroscopy has accompanied me from the earliest days of my scientific journey, my initial research interests were rooted in a completely different branch of chemistry. At the very beginning of my studies, I worked on a project focused on novel hybrid materials obtained via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). However, everything changed when I began volunteering in a different research group—the Laboratory of Laser Molecular Spectroscopy at the Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry at Lodz University of Technology. There, I synthesized nanoparticles for SERS measurements, and it was in that moment that my scientific path took on a new rhythm and deeper meaning.
This was followed by research on breast tissues and their differentiation with regard to cancer, with the aim of identifying specific Raman biomarkers characteristic of that disease. Around the same time, I took part in the international consortium research project VelcroMer, which I conducted at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. This project was vastly different in its scope, focusing on the surface modification of silica for use in the tire industry and exploring how polymers used in tire production change their properties after the addition of our modified silica.
As I continued, my master’s thesis work immersed me in a wide range of cell cultures and biomedical studies. The culmination of this effort was a distinction-awarded thesis in which I presented the biochemical analysis of normal and cancerous human colon cells supplemented with vitamin C, as well as the effects of oxidative stress on these cells using Raman spectroscopy and imaging. Soon after, I was accepted into a doctoral school, and from there, the scientific machine truly took off—international travels, research internships, conferences, teaching responsibilities.
During my PhD, I undertook a research stay at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, where I studied my beloved intestinal cells using novel techniques, including DNA Origami. I’m the kind of person who thrives on momentum and is always seeking out new challenges, collaborations, and avenues for growth. I believe deeply in movement—in the lab, in the mind, and life.
I’m an unapologetic science enthusiast—some might even say I live and breathe science. But how could I not? Everything around us is science, and so much remains to be discovered, explained, or understood on a deeper level. Life is simply too short not to ask questions and not to seek something more.
At the heart of my scientific mission lies a vision: to shape the future of medical diagnostics. My greatest dream is to see Raman spectroscopy, with all its vast potential, become part of the gold standard in preventive and diagnostic medicine, accessible to every patient. Every single day, I strive to contribute a small piece to that vision.
Throughout my career, I have led seven research projects, including international initiatives under the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), and participated in five other scientific projects. I have had the privilege of being named the Best Graduate of Lodz University of Technology, and I am a recipient of several prestigious honors, including the Prof. Achmatowicz Award, the Canadian Rodkiewicz Foundation Scholarship, and most recently, the Biomedicines Young Investigator Award. I was also honored by the Committee of Analytical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences for the best PhD dissertation introducing metrological principles in chemical measurement.
I am deeply committed to fostering scientific passion in others. As a mentor in several programs for young researchers, I aim to ignite curiosity, especially in the field of chemistry, and help aspiring scientists discover their path. For my dedication to both scientific work and science communication, I was awarded the “LabO! Science Award” for lecturers who inspire beyond the classroom. I also serve as an expert at the Medical Research Agency of Poland, where I continue to contribute to advancing medical science.
Beyond the lab, I’m a world explorer at heart. I practice martial arts, find inspiration in high mountain trails, and seek freedom in the rhythm of nature. Science is my passion, but it is through balance that I find my strength and creativity.
2. Could you please share your current research direction and latest progress?
It is with sincere pleasure that I share a glimpse into my current research journey. My current research explores micro- and spectroscopic techniques as tools to better understand the biochemical signatures of cancer, especially colon cancer. I’m deeply passionate about cell and tissue cultures, particularly in the context of how external factors, such as dietary supplements, drugs, hormones, vitamins, etc., influence macro- and microscopic biological systems.
One of my most recent publications examined the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—a common class of antidepressants—as well as cytostatic drugs on human colon cells. This work reflects my broader interest in how pharmacological agents interact with normal and cancerous cells at the subcellular level.
Currently, I am managing a research project focused on the impact of addictive substances on the gut microbiota. As is well known, the use of addictive substances is steadily increasing across society. However, it is important to note that substances with high addictive potential are also commonly used in various cancer therapies as supportive agents in the treatment of persistent and long-term pain. Through advanced spectroscopic techniques and nanomechanical analysis, I am identifying metabolic biomarkers that may play a role not only in addiction mechanisms but also in how these substances affect both normal and cancerous cells. This approach allows me to investigate the complex biochemical dialogue between harmful compounds and biological systems with unprecedented sensitivity.
I am also preparing for an exciting research stay in Portugal, where I will be expanding my expertise in cutting-edge biological techniques applied to human biological material. I consider this international experience a valuable opportunity to enrich my perspective, broaden collaborations, and bring back innovative methodologies to integrate into my work in Poland.
In essence, my scientific efforts are guided by a single, persistent vision: to create tools that bring us closer to earlier, safer, and more insightful diagnoses—and, ultimately, to a deeper understanding of the human body in both health and disease. And if needed, it will become a tool that, in the future, will provide patients with rapid and unambiguous prevention, diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and the ability to track therapeutic outcomes.
Some may wonder why I have chosen to focus so deeply on colon cells and tissues. The answer is relatively simple. First of all, colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed type of cancer worldwide. It is, in a way, unique—it rarely gives clear warning signs, especially at an early stage, and is notoriously difficult to detect, especially since the diagnostic process remains, for many, a topic surrounded by discomfort or even shame. Despite numerous awareness campaigns, even in highly developed countries, we are still facing a major challenge in this regard.
The second reason, however, is more personal and sentimental. Before I even began my studies, my grandfather was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I saw firsthand the struggles and obstacles that patients face, and it left a deep mark on me. In many ways, my scientific work is a tribute to someone who always believed in me, who used to tell me that no matter what life brings, I would find a way through it. And he truly believed it.
Through my research, I hope to create something meaningful—a legacy that transforms into a more accessible and compassionate reality for all. A reality in which diagnostics, not only for colorectal cancer but for various oncological diseases, becomes faster, more precise, unequivocal, and free from stigma. I want my work to raise awareness about cancer and give patients a better chance at survival and improved prognoses. And most of all, I wish for their loved ones to have the gift of time—to cherish their presence for as long as possible.
3. Could you please share with us your feelings after winning the award?
Winning this award is both an indescribable honor and a profoundly humbling experience. In the quiet moments of scientific inquiry—those long hours spent at the bench, chasing the elusive elegance of molecular transformations—recognition is rarely the end in sight. Yet to have one’s work acknowledged in this way is deeply affirming.
It feels as though the often-invisible labour of curiosity, perseverance, and at times even doubt, has been seen and celebrated. I accept this award not as a culmination, but as a spark—one that rekindles my commitment to discovery, to pushing the boundaries of what we understand, and to mentoring others on this path.
I’m especially grateful to those who came before me and opened doors I now have the privilege to walk through. This moment reminds me that science is never a solitary endeavour—it is a dialogue across generations, and I am honoured to add my voice to that conversation.
And yet, I must admit—when I first received the news, I was entirely caught off guard. The idea that a committee of such accomplished scientists, experts whom I deeply admire, had selected me as the laureate felt almost surreal. I remember that morning vividly: it was a difficult, full of variety of activities day, and at first, I barely skimmed the message. In my mind, my inner critic immediately awakened, questioning, doubting, and wondering whether it could be true. Perhaps it was a mistake? But no, it was very real.
I returned to my work, trying to stay grounded, but as I travelled between two university campuses, I reread the message. That was the moment it truly hit me. My hands trembled, and before I could even think, I let out a joyful shout, smiling so wide it felt like sunlight had broken through a storm. Of course, the very next thing I did was call my father—my parents are my most devoted supporters—to share the news.
That day will forever live in my memory. Even though the spring in Poland was still rather chilly, around me the world felt like a warm, blazing summer.
Moments like this remind me not only of how far we can come with resilience and passion, but also of the quiet strength it takes to believe, truly believe, that we are worthy of such moments.
4. Could you please share the most impressive breakthrough in your research career, either in terms of ideas or research results?
One of the most defining moments in my scientific career—and the achievement I consider the most impactful—was the development of four independent, fully original protocols for the deparaffinization of biological samples, specifically intraoperative tissue sections. These protocols were designed with precision and innovation, and what made them particularly groundbreaking was their role in proving that only fresh, unfixed tissues can serve as a reliable foundation for accurate and unambiguous results obtained through Raman spectroscopy and imaging techniques.
In this research, I addressed a critical but often overlooked aspect of biomedical analysis: sample preparation. While frequently treated as a mere technicality, it has profound implications for the accuracy and reproducibility of diagnostic outcomes. I demonstrated that the type and quality of biological material used, especially the distinction between fresh and paraffin-embedded tissues, significantly affect the ability to detect cancer markers and extract meaningful biochemical information from spectroscopic data. My work showed that fresh tissues preserve the biochemical integrity necessary for precise, label-free diagnostics at the molecular level.
What makes this breakthrough particularly meaningful to me is not only its scientific and clinical relevance, but also the context in which it emerged. This idea began to take shape during my undergraduate engineering studies, at a time when I was still learning to navigate the world of scientific inquiry. It evolved through years of questioning, refining, and believing that even as a young researcher, I could challenge well-established routines and offer something valuable to both the scientific community and medical practice.
One of the challenges I encountered was the absence of standardized, widely accepted deparaffinization protocols, even among experienced clinical researchers and pathologists. This lack of consistency often leads to discrepancies in data interpretation, undermining the potential of techniques like Raman spectroscopy in a clinical setting. The introduction of well-structured, technologically sound deparaffinization procedures could significantly streamline spectroscopic diagnostics, benefiting not only patient outcomes but also the efficiency of healthcare systems.
Ultimately, this work reaffirmed my belief that the smallest experimental details can lead to the greatest scientific insights, and that innovation often begins with the courage to question what is routinely accepted. It also reflects the very essence of what continues to drive me as a scientist: the desire to bridge disciplines, rethink conventions, and bring chemistry closer to the people it ultimately serves—the patients.
I am also immensely proud of my most recent results, currently under review, which were achieved in collaboration with esteemed researchers from the Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry of my Alma Mater, Lodz University of Technology. In this research, we investigated the spectroscopic properties of a promising photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Using a combination of Raman imaging, electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and transient absorption spectroscopy, we aimed to determine both the distribution of the photosensitizer within human colorectal tissue and its dynamic behavior in aqueous media, including environments enriched with living cells.
Our findings revealed that, following supplementation of human colorectal cancer cells with the photosensitizer, the compound preferentially accumulates in structures that are metabolically significant—a discovery that opens new avenues for targeted therapeutic strategies. While I hope to share more details soon, what I can already underscore is that the results strongly suggest the potential for efficient singlet oxygen generation upon stimulus activation by the photosensitizer during photodynamic anti-cancer treatment. This work represents not only a meaningful scientific collaboration but also a step closer to more selective and effective oncological therapies, and it exemplifies my ongoing commitment to translating chemical insight into tangible clinical impact.
5. Do you have any other suggestions for how journals and publishers can further support young researchers and the academic community?
Indeed, I believe journals and publishers hold immense, often underutilized potential to shape the landscape for young researchers in profoundly meaningful ways. Beyond the traditional roles of gatekeeping and dissemination, they can become true partners in fostering a more inclusive, transparent, and vibrant scientific community. Journals and publishers are uniquely positioned to not only disseminate scientific knowledge but also to actively shape the culture in which that knowledge is created. For young researchers—especially those at the intersection of early career and underrepresented identity—this support can be transformative.
First and foremost, I would advocate for greater openness—not only in terms of access to published work, but also in the review process itself. Transparent peer review, mentorship-style feedback for early-career authors (maybe in a separate issue), and the recognition of reviewers’ contributions can transform publishing into a more constructive, dialogic experience rather than a distant judgment. Beyond ensuring access and visibility, I would encourage journals to adopt a more holistic view of their mission. Science is not produced in a vacuum—it is born of mentorship, equity, and opportunity. Initiatives such as mentoring schemes linked to the publication process, constructive and developmental peer review, and dedicated sections for early-career voices can offer not only validation but growth.
Secondly, I envision journals as platforms not only for results, but for the process of science. Allowing space for negative results, methodological insights, and interdisciplinary experiments—especially those that don’t neatly “fit”—could encourage creativity and reduce the pressure to only present polished, publishable stories. After all, science often advances not in leaps, but in well-documented stumbles.
Moreover, I feel strongly that journals can become more intentional in amplifying diverse perspectives, particularly those of women and other historically marginalized groups. Spotlighting female-led research, offering editorial board positions to emerging women scholars—these steps signal that excellence comes in many forms, and that inclusion is not ornamental, but essential.
I also believe in the quiet power of representation. When a young scientist sees a name like hers in the byline, in the reviewer list, in the editor’s note, she understands—perhaps for the first time—that she too belongs in the architecture of science. Journals can help build that architecture thoughtfully.
In the end, to support young researchers is not only to offer them a platform, but to invite them into the ongoing authorship of the scientific enterprise itself—one that is rigorous, yes, but also humane, collaborative, and richly diverse. In essence, I believe journals could evolve from being static repositories into dynamic ecosystems—ones that nurture not just knowledge, but also the people who pursue it.
With a smile, I must confess—every research topic holds the potential to spark interest in the academic community. Science, at its heart, is an open landscape of curiosity, and it would be a disservice to its spirit to draw too narrow a circle around what is or isn’t “relevant”. Sometimes the most unexpected ideas lead us to the most profound discoveries.
That said, observing current trends, it’s clear that the integration of artificial intelligence into chemical research is captivating the attention of many, and for good reason. AI promises not only efficiency, but a new kind of insight, one that augments human intuition with computational depth.
In my field—spectroscopy and chemometrics—we are already witnessing this transformation. Interestingly, several methods traditionally used in chemometrics, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Cluster Analysis (like k-means), are now recognized as foundational forms of artificial intelligence and machine learning. So in a way, we’ve been walking hand in hand with AI for some time now—perhaps even before we fully realized it.
Looking ahead, I believe the most exciting developments will emerge in areas such as deep learning, time-series analysis, and transfer learning. These tools will allow us to not only better interpret complex spectral data but also monitor chemical and metabolic reactions in real time, recognize intricate hidden patterns, and adapt models across different datasets or instruments. The potential of recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and LSTM architectures to interpret evolving spectral profiles, such as those in real-time Raman monitoring, is particularly fascinating.
Of course, while I welcome these innovations with open arms, I also feel a gentle responsibility to remind fellow researchers, especially the younger generation, to remain grounded in their scientific judgment. AI is a remarkable tool, not a substitute for understanding. Let us use it to deepen, not replace, our thinking. Let us remain unique in our scientific voice, never losing the joy of questioning just because the machine has answered.
So yes, while AI-enhanced chemistry is undeniably a rising star, I remain equally enchanted by all the “quieter” topics—those that lie patiently on the periphery, waiting for someone curious enough to ask the right question.
7. Do you have anything to say to your fellow scholars?
It is with genuine joy that I answer this question. What I would like to say to my fellow scholars comes straight from the heart and is deeply rooted in personal experience: don’t be afraid to aim high. The world of science is vast, unpredictable, and at times demanding—but it has never been reserved for a chosen few. I’ve been told many times that, as a woman in chemistry, my path would be limited. That coming from a small town meant my future was already defined and constrained. And you know what? None of that turned out to be true.
So please, never let anyone else define what you are capable of. Stay true to your work—with tenderness toward science, humility in the face of knowledge, and the unwavering belief that your voice matters. The most important thing is that what you do brings you joy and a sense of meaning.
It’s not worth working solely to achieve some pre-defined notion of success, because success can be elusive, unpredictable, and its definition tends to evolve over time. What is worth pursuing is the discipline of taking consistent, even the smallest, steps every single day. These modest efforts, though often overlooked, are what eventually pave the way to extraordinary things.
As an old Chinese proverb beautifully says: "Do not fear going slowly; fear only standing still”.
And in that spirit, I try to see science not just as a destination, but as a journey. Because it is the journey that shapes us, teaches us, and surprises us. It is along the way that we meet the people who inspire us, challenge us, and remind us why we started. It is the journey that makes even failure taste like growth, rather than defeat.
Value your failures—they are what make us strong. Without them, we would be like delicate glass—beautiful in theory, but brittle at the first touch of hardship. And science is not about fragility; it’s about resilience, curiosity, and learning to harness the wind rather than hide from it. Because adversity, when embraced with courage, can lift us higher than we ever thought possible.
And when it feels like everything is working against you, remember, an airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish each of you courage, tenderness for your craft, and belief in the value of your work. Even—and perhaps especially—when the road ahead looks nothing like a straight path.