Prof. Maria Kaczmarek

Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland

TOPIC – The health paradox of adolescence: why evolution favours risk

Maria Kaczmarek (Ph.D., D.Sc) is Professor of Biological Sciences at the Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU), Poznań, Poland. At the AMU she initially studied for an MSc in Biological Anthropology, then completed her Ph.D. and habilitation (D.Sc.) in Human Biology. Her research spans across several different areas involving auxology (also auxological epidemiology) and human reproductive ecology. The primary focus of her current research is on the physiology and ecology of human reproduction and evidence of adaptation in that domain. She initiated, managed and conducted as principal investigator some fascinating research on human growth and ageing, health, behaviour and psychological well-being. There were: (i) a longitudinal study of children aged 5-18, Poznań Growth Study, focusing in particular on mathematical modeling of growth curves, variation in growth curve patterns and the relationship between growth and maturation; (ii) a nationwide cross-sectional survey of female menopause, WOMID and male andropause with special interest in reproductive ecology, and (iii) a multidisciplinary (anthropological, medical and sociological) study on human adolescence, ADOPOLNOR PL0255, financed by a grant from the EEA countries. She is member of numerous scientific societies including Polish Anthropological Society (president for 8 years, 2007-2015), European Anthropological Association (vice-president), and the Commission on Anthropology of Women in IUAES (president). In 2011-2020 she was an editor-in-chief of Anthropological Review, an official publication of PAS since 1926. In 2018 she became a member of the Agder Academy of Sciences and Letters, Norway. In 2019 she received an outstanding Dr. Aleš Hrdlička Memorable Medal Awards for her achievements in the field of anthropology.