Laboratory of Tissue Regeneration and Inflammation

Piotr received his B.S. and M.S. in Cell Biology and Biotechnology from Jagiellonian University in Poland. During his master’s studies, he was a visiting student at the Pasteur Institute in Lille, France, where he studied skin inflammatory diseases. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Jagiellonian University, investigating the role of Regnase-1 in skin homeostasis and pathology. During his doctoral research, he uncovered new molecular signals that regulate epithelial cell adaptation to inflammation in barrier tissues, such as the skin. For his postdoctoral training, Piotr joined Dr. Shruti Naik’s lab, initially at NYU Langone Health and later at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. His research focused on decoding the interactions between immune and epithelial stem cells during skin repair and inflammatory pathology. During this time, he discovered a novel repair mechanism that drives the metabolic rewiring of damaged epithelium, a finding with significant implications for cellular adaptation in damage-associated diseases.

Piotr has received numerous accolades for his research, including the NIH Pathway to Independence Award. He was a finalist for the Regeneron Prize for Creative Innovation and was named the 2022 Sheehan Foundation Young Innovator in Tissue Regeneration. He has also been awarded the National Psoriasis Foundation Early Career Research Award, the Research Award for Young Researchers from the European Society for Dermatological Research and Lilly Company, and the Etiuda Fellowship from the Polish National Science Center.

Jolynn earned her B.S. in Microbiology & Immunology from the University of California, Irvine. Following her graduation in 2022, she joined Dr. Eric Pearlman’s laboratory at UCI, where she investigated neutrophil responses to pathogens and inflammation in the context of keratitis. In 2026, Jolynn joined the Konieczny Lab as a Research Assistant and is interested in studying chronic inflammation. In the future, she hopes to attend graduate school and earn her PhD. When she is away from the lab, Jolynn enjoys baking, running, and reading. 

Michela earned her B.S. and M.S. in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the University of Perugia and Bologna, both in Italy. She went on to complete her PhD in Biomolecular Sciences from the University of Trento in Italy, where she studied skeletal muscle stem cell heterogeneity and how these cells contribute to regeneration in healthy and dystrophic muscles. During her doctoral work, she also investigated the interplay between immune cells and muscle stem cells in both physiological conditions and aging contexts. As a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern California, Michela investigated how aging alters the activation of muscle stem cells, focusing on the role of the transcription factor Fos,with the ultimate goal of uncovering mechanisms that preserve stem cell function and improve muscle regeneration in aging populations.

In November 2025, Michela joined Dr. Piotr Konieczny’s lab as a postdoctoral fellow, where she explores cellular circuits, aiming to systematically map the language of tissue repair and leverage this knowledge to enhance tissue regeneration.
In her free time, Michela enjoys hiking and baking, especially when she can share her treats with friends and family.

Maria Luiza is a first-year PhD student who earned her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, with a focus on Clinical Pathology and Molecular Biology, from Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP) in Brazil. After moving to the U.S. in 2022, she worked as a Research Associate in Dr. Amanda Lund’s lab at NYU Langone Health, where she studied the interplay between lymphangiogenesis, lymph node metastasis, and anti-tumor immunity in melanoma. Outside the lab, Maria enjoys trying new foods, spending time with family and friends, and watching TV series.

Sarah is a fourth-year undergraduate studying Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine and a Director’s Scholarship recipient. Originally from India, she completed part of her education in Nigeria before beginning her undergraduate studies at UCI. She was previously part of a clinical research lab at UCI, where she gained experience with research methodology, which later led her to develop a strong interest in cellular biology and molecular mechanisms. At the Konieczny Lab, Sarah is currently gaining training in stem cell signaling, epithelial tissue repair, and cellular adaptation to inflammation. She is particularly interested in how cellular networks and tissue niches regulate regeneration and maintain homeostasis under inflammatory stress. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career as a researcher and educator in cell biology, and contribute to work that leads to improved approaches to human disease and medicine.

Saasha is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences at University of California, Irvine. She moved to the US from India and started working in Neuroscience research during her first-year. She is now working towards becoming a research professor in the field of Cellular and Molecular Biology. She has received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research, UROP Fellowship, UROP best undergraduate researcher award, and scholarships from UCI. Other than researching, Saasha is an advocate for menstrual hygiene and education development in her country. She collaborates with underprivileged schools and teaches menstrual education every summer while collecting public health research data.