Alliance4Life Elects New President and Vice President
At its Board meeting on 18 September in Warsaw, Alliance4Life elected Professor Toivo Maimets (University of Tartu) as its new President and Professor Lucyna Woźniak (Medical University of Łódź) as Vice President.
Alliance4Life was established in 2018 with the ambition to improve research governance in Central and Eastern Europe and to contribute to narrowing the innovation gap between EU13 countries and the rest of Europe. The initiative was spearheaded by Jiří Nantl, who became the Alliance’s first President, supported by Project Coordinator Zlatuše Novotná. Under their leadership, Alliance4Life grew into a respected voice in European research policy and a trusted platform for institutional collaboration.
Professor Toivo Maimets, one of the founding members of Alliance4Life, has served as Vice President since its inception. As a distinguished biologist and experienced science policy leader, he has been instrumental in shaping the Alliance’s strategic direction. His election as President marks both continuity and renewal, ensuring that Alliance4Life continues to advance its mission of strengthening research excellence and institutional capacity across Europe.
Professor Lucyna Woźniak, Vice Rector for International Relations at the Medical University of Łódź, was elected as the new Vice President. An internationally recognized researcher and science leader, she brings extensive expertise in biomedical research, institutional leadership, and European policy engagement.
The President and Vice President of Alliance4Life play a crucial role in representing the alliance to European institutions and stakeholders, advocating for the values of scientific integrity, responsible governance, inclusiveness, and sustainability. They lead the strategic development of the alliance, ensure its voice is heard in shaping European research and innovation policies, and foster collaboration among member institutions and beyond.
With Professor Maimets and Professor Woźniak at the helm, Alliance4Life enters a new chapter in its development, continuing to grow as a community of excellence that empowers research institutions in Central and Eastern Europe and contributes to a stronger, more cohesive European Research Area.
Professor Toivo Maimets – Scientific Leader and President of Alliance4Life
Professor Toivo Maimets is a distinguished biologist and internationally recognized science leader from the University of Tartu, Estonia. His scientific work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of the cell cycle, DNA damage control, and cancer development, with the aim of translating fundamental biological insights into strategies for novel therapies. Over his career, he has contributed extensively to understanding how signal transduction pathways regulate cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, and he continues to explore the interface between developmental biology, epigenetics, and cancer research.
Alongside his achievements as a scientist, Professor Maimets has played a central role as a builder of scientific institutions and policy frameworks at national and European levels. He has served as Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Geography and Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Tartu, and for many years directed the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. Nationally, he has been Minister of Education and Research of Estonia, Chairman of the Estonian Science Foundation, and member of the Estonian Research Council, shaping the development of higher education, research funding, and scientific excellence in his country.
At the European level, Professor Maimets has made major contributions to advancing research collaboration and policy. He served as President of the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC), was a long-standing member and vice-president of UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee, and has advised the European Commission, Science Europe, and other bodies on research and innovation strategies. His leadership has always emphasized excellence, fairness, and the importance of narrowing the research and innovation gap across Europe.
Professor Maimets is also deeply committed to public engagement with science, for which he has received national recognition, including the Tiiu Sild Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to science communication.
In 2025, he was elected President of Alliance4Life, where he brings together his scientific authority, policy experience, and strong belief in collaboration to strengthen research institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. His vision for Alliance4Life is grounded in the idea that sustainable, excellent science requires not only cutting-edge research but also supportive institutions, equitable opportunities, and a united voice in shaping European research policy.
Professor Lucyna Woźniak – Scientific Leader and Vice President of Alliance4Life
Professor Lucyna Woźniak is an internationally recognized scientist and academic leader, currently serving as Vice Rector for International Relations at the Medical University of Łódź and newly elected Vice President of Alliance4Life. Trained in chemistry at the Technical University of Łódź, she built her early scientific career at the Polish Academy of Sciences and King’s College London before becoming a professor at the Medical University of Łódź in 2005. Her research bridges bioorganic chemistry, molecular biology, and medicine, with a strong focus on metabolic disorders, gestational diabetes, lipid metabolism, and the molecular mechanisms of disease. With over 160 publications, numerous patents, and international collaborations, she has consistently translated fundamental research into biomedical applications.
Beyond her achievements as a scientist, Professor Woźniak has established herself as a visionary leader in science and higher education. She founded and directs the Healthy Ageing Research Centre at the Medical University of Łódź, and has been a driving force in shaping the institution’s international strategy. She has served in numerous high-level roles, including as Chairwoman of the Commission for Presidency and EU Cooperation at KRASP (the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland), member of the Supervisory Board of EIT Health, and expert advisor to the European Commission. She was also a member of the High-Level Group led by Pascal Lamy on maximizing the impact of EU Research and Innovation Programmes, helping to shape the future of European science policy.
Professor Woźniak is a strong advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration and gender equality in science. As a member of the European Women Rectors Association and the Perspektywy Foundation, she works to strengthen the role of women in academia and leadership. In 2025, she was elected as a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and was honoured on the Forbes Women “50 Over 50” list, recognizing her continued influence and excellence in science and leadership.
In her new role as Vice President of Alliance4Life, Professor Woźniak brings not only her scientific expertise but also her strategic vision for building stronger, more inclusive, and more competitive research environments in Central and Eastern Europe. Her career demonstrates the power of combining cutting-edge research with institutional leadership, international networking, and policy engagement—qualities that make her a role model for the next generation of scientists and a driving force in the European research landscape.
