Justyna Zmorzynska
Group Leader and Lab Head.
Developmental biologist
Neuroscientist
Geneticist
Dr. hab. Justyna Zmorzyńska is a neuroscientist whose work bridges molecular genetics, neurodevelopmental biology, and translational neuroscience. Her work is driven by a deep interest in understanding how genetic and cellular mechanisms shape the developing brain, with a particular focus on neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, and anxiety. She currently leads the Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology at the International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines (IMol PAS), where she combines cutting-edge techniques with a translational mindset. Dr. hab. Zmorzyńska earned her PhD from the Department of Genetics at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, and continued her training as a postdoctoral fellow and later senior researcher at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB) in Warsaw. Her scientific journey has also included research stays in leading international labs, including those of Prof. Didier Stainier at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Germany, and Prof. William Harris at the University of Cambridge. Her scientific leadership has been recognized through multiple prestigious research grants, including the SONATA BIS award from the Polish National Science Center and, most recently, the First Team grant from the Foundation for Polish Science.
Explore more about the IMol institute
We believe that great science thrives in an environment built on openness, inclusivity, and mutual respect.
Lab Philosophy and what we want to do
We value diverse perspectives and firmly believe that everyone has a unique and valuable contribution to make, regardless of their background or career stage. Above all, we operate on a simple yet non-negotiable principle: be kind. Brilliant science means nothing if it comes at the expense of human well-being. In our lab, kindness means lifting each other up, encouraging honest questions without fear of judgment, and treating every team member with dignity and respect. We measure our success not only by the papers we publish, but by the healthy, supportive environment we build together. We foster a supportive, collaborative environment where curious minds can ask bold questions, learn from mistakes, and succeed together.
Science progresses fastest when knowledge is shared freely, which is why we are committed to Open Science—making our research, data, and methodology accessible to all. Discovery shouldn’t happen behind closed doors, and we believe transparency makes science better for everyone. If you need access to any of our datasets, imaging files, or custom scripts, don’t hesitate to contact us—we love collaborating and are eager to share our tools to help push your research forward.
Lab members
Current and former JZmo lab members
Sanata Tolak
Research specialist
Tomek Dulski
Post-doc
Agnieszka Wardak
Post-doc
Shivani Dogra
PhD student
Vishrutha Prakash
PhD student
Rabia Hayat
Post-doc
Satya Pattnaik
PhD student
Klaudia Wojtal
PhD student
Ruchi Jain
Post-doc
Zuzanna Piotrowska
Master student
Ula Czerniawska
Master student
Michał Dybczyński
Master student
Olga Doszyń
PhD student – former, now a PhD
Kuba Semeniuk
research specialist
student
student
Research Projects in the lab
The lab is supported by multitude of projects from various funding sources including Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, National Science Center, Foundation for Polish Science, and European Union.