I am fascinated by interactions among organisms and their significance for the evolution and diversity of life. My research focuses on the evolution and functioning of insect symbiotic systems — among the most complex and spectacular examples of interspecific interdependence. I investigate the dynamics of symbioses across multiple levels of biological organization, from cellular processes to population-level analyses, with particular emphasis on the role of microorganisms in shaping host biology and on how changes in microbiome structure influence insect adaptation and evolutionary success.

I obtained my degree in Biological Sciences from the Jagiellonian University (2001–2006) and subsequently completed my doctoral studies at the Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University (2007–2011). Since then, I have been associated with the Department of Invertebrate Morphology and Developmental Biology at the Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research at JU’s Faculty of Biology.

My research approach integrates classical microscopy with modern molecular biology techniques, comparative genomics, and high-throughput sequencing. Together with my team, we analyze the composition and variability of microbiota in diverse insect groups, study the evolution of symbiont genomes, and investigate mechanisms of their intergenerational transmission. We focus on processes of symbiotic system reorganization — including the loss of ancestral symbionts, their replacement by new bacterial or fungal lineages, and the consequences of these changes for host biology, ecology, and evolutionary success. Research material is collected during numerous field expeditions, including trips to the Arctic, Scandinavia, and the Baltic countries.

I lead projects funded by the National Science Centre (NCN), focusing on factors shaping insect microbiome variability, the evolution of symbiotic systems in true bugs (Hemiptera), and the potential of Bacillus subtilis as a biological control agent against aphids.

Beyond my scientific work, I am actively involved in science outreach. I aim to inspire children and young people by co-organizing events such as the Night of Biologists and collaborating with the Children’s University as well as secondary schools.

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=FhF8Kc8AAAAJ&hl=en

Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anna-Michalik-6