Research internship of the employees of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in Iowa

On July 16, 2022 - August 7, 2022 prof. dr hab. Aleksandra Pawlak and Dr. Karolina Kapturska (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, UPWr), completed a three-week internship at Iowa State University (USA).

The goal of the mobility was to establish a new collaboration with a team of clinical oncologists from the small animal hospital at Iowa State University (ISU). As part of the internship, Dr. Aleksandra Pawlak and DVM Karolina Kapturska had the opportunity to observe the work of American oncologists with whom they treated patients - dogs and cats with cancer. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Margaret Musser (dipl. ACVIM), the doctors expanded their knowledge in the field of diagnostics and therapy of various types of cancer, and had the opportunity to participate in the preparation of patients and the planning of radiotherapy treatments. A special experience was the opportunity to participate in clinical trials and gain valuable information on new drugs that are currently only used experimentally.


Since the clinical hospital is a place where students are educated - the internship was also an opportunity to get acquainted with the didactic methods that are used at the American university. In addition to working with patients, oncologists spent a significant part of their time on joint discussions and short lectures, which allowed for the exchange of experiences and gaining new knowledge.

Participants of this mobility devoted their free time to know better the United States and the local cuisine.


The internship results in newly established acquaintances, which will lead to joint scientific activity. Plans for joint projects in the field of cardiooncology and experimental oncology with the use of culture of canine organoids have already been prepared.