Maciej Manecki

Maciej Manecki graduated with double major (geology at AGH Kraków and chemistry at Jagiellonian University, Kraków) and defended his Ph.D. thesis in 1999 at Kent State University, Ohio (USA). He currently holds the position of Professor of Mineralogy and Geochemistry at the Department of Mineralogy, Petrography and Geochemistry at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków (Poland). Research interests include mineralogy, geochemistry, economic geology of critical elements, geomicrobiology, geochronology, Polar regions, environmental protection and, within all these disciplines, application of innovative analytical techniques in geological sciences. In particular: 1) Polar research in Svalbard: age and mechanisms of metamorphism of crystalline basement, organizes Geological Polar Expeditions since 1983. 2) Experimental mineralogy and geochemistry of lead apatites: leader of Lead Apatites Research Group supervising basic research on the synthesis of apatites, their mechanisms of formation, crystalline structure, properties, thermodynamics, substitutions, particularly the role of As, V and REE in lead apatites. 3) Aeromineralogy: mineral, chemical, and microbial composition and distribution of airborne particulate matter in polluted areas, currently research is being conducted in the underground facilities of the medieval museum Bochnia Salt Mine near Kraków. 4) Geomicrobiology of mineral-water interaction: model laboratory experiments, quantification, and mechanisms of microbial active scavenging for nutrients by selective dissolution of minerals. 5. Mineral analogs in technology: photochemical and catalytic properties of semiconductors, stannite sulfosalts Cu2(FexMnx-1)SnS4 and libethenite Cu2PO4OH – olivenite Cu2AsO4OH solid solutions. He is active in domestic and international project collaborations (Sweden, USA, Norway, Germany), including logistics and diplomacy; secured funding and managed budget as principal investigator for numerous domestic and international research projects; actively participated in purchase, setup, and training on numerous state-of-the-art analytical equipment. Exceptional teacher and advisor, supervised over 35 MSc and four PhD projects. Currently directing 6 PhD projects with external funding.