Kamakshya Nath Panda was born in 1990 in Guwahati (Assam, India). He completed his Bachelor's and Master's in Chemistry at the Ranchi University. He was qualified for NET (National Eligibility Test) and GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) in the field of Chemistry, obtaining a full scholarship from the government of India and completed his PhD focused on the synthesis of new carbaporphyrinoids under the supervision of Prof. Ravikanth. In March 2022, he started postdoctoral research at the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, working with Prof. Sankar. In 2023, he joined  Szyszko Lab as a postdoctoral researcher. Panda explores the chemistry of crownphyrins and studies their coordination chemistry. In his free time, he enjoys playing table tennis, skating, hiking, cooking, travelling and watching movie recaps. 

Maksym Matviyishyn was born in 1997 in Lviv, Ukraine. After obtaining a passion for the field of chemistry, he began studying at the University of Wroclaw in Poland. He obtained his B.Sc. in 2017 for the thesis ”Chiral ionic liquids – synthesis and applications” written under the supervision of Prof. Anna M. Trzeciak. During his master’s studies, he began his work under the supervision of BS in Porphyrins and Metalloporphyrins Chemistry group. He obtained his MSc in 2019 for the thesis titled ”28-Hetero-2,7-naphthiporphyrins – synthesis, properties and coordination chemistry”. Upon finishing his MSc, he continued his work in the same group, starting his PhD in 2019. He is currently researching and working on dipyrrin-based supramolecular assemblies.

Aleksandra Sarwa (Alexa) was born in 1996 in Milicz, Poland. In 2015, she started studying Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Wrocław. She received her Bachelor’s degree for a thesis titled: “Application of quaternary pyridinium salts for testosterone derivatization” under the supervision of Dr. Hab. Mariola Kuczer. In 2018, she started working under the supervision of BS on a project focused on the synthesis and properties of π-extended phenanthriporphyrinoids. In 2020, she defended (with honours) her MSc thesis titled “Synthesis and characterisation of azaaceneporphyrinoids”. Currently, Aleksandra investigates pyrrole-based supramolecular assemblies. 

Rafał Grzelczak was born in 1996 in Leszno, Poland. He has been studying chemistry at the University of Wrocław since 2016. In 2019, he received a Bachelor’s degree for the thesis “Determination of proton and carbon chemical shifts. Difficulties and successes of theoretical methods.” This was carried out under the supervision of Andrzej Bil. Currently, Rafał works under the supervision of BS on a project focused on searching for new methods of rotaxane synthesis. 

Jakub Sukiennik was born in 1996 in Radomsko, Poland. In 2016, he started studying Chemistry and Forensic Toxicology at the University of Wrocław. He received his Bachelor’s degree for a thesis titled: “Poisoning by Cytotoxic Fungi - from Chemistry to Toxicological Diagnostics” under the supervision of dr Marta Siczek. In 2019, he started working under the supervision of dr Karolina Hurej. He obtained his MSc in 2021 for the thesis titled ”Selective oxidation of arylalkanes as a new route to 1,4-diketones”. Upon finishing his MSc, he started his PhD under the supervision of BS in 2021. He is currently researching and working on dipyrrin-based supramolecular assemblies. 

Daniel Wiendlocha was born in Raciborz in 1998. In 2017, he began studying Medical Chemistry at the University of Wroclaw. In 2020, he received a Bachelor's degree for a thesis: "In search of synthetic pathways for the precursors of porphyrin and crown ether hybrids". Continuing his work at Szyszkolab, he received a Master's degree in 2022 for his thesis: "Di-2,6-naphthihexaphyrin - synthesis, properties and coordination chemistry". In the same year, he began his PhD studies at Szyszko Lab, focusing on obtaining new rotaxanes and their complexes.

Andrei Khmara was born in 2000 in Brest, Belarus. Once he attended chemistry in the 7th school grade, he immediately realised that chemistry was what he wanted to commit to. In 2018, Andrei moved to Poland, where in 2019, he started studying Chemistry at the University of Wrocław. Andrei works with Aleksandra on the self-assembly of new molecular knots and links.

Jędrzej Perdek was born in 2001 in Jelenia Góra.  In 2020, he started studying Chemistry and Forensic Toxicology at the University of Wrocław, where he got his BSc degree for the thesis ‘Reactivity of 28-Selena- and 28-Thianaphthiporphyrins towards di- and triethylamine’ in 2023. Afterwards, Jędrzej enrolled in the Chemistry MSc program at UWr and started working on finding new methods of rotaxane synthesis with Rafał Grzelczak.

Marta Gulbińska was born in 2000 in Otwock, Poland. Her journey into the realm of chemistry commenced when she opted for a medical class in high school with advanced chemistry involved. Following this, she started studying at the University of Wrocław. In 2023, she successfully attained her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and forensic toxicology. Presently, she continues her Master’s degree in the same field. Marta works with Daniel on the construction of new rotaxanes. 

Ivan Piskovyi was born in 2004 in Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine. In 2022, he moved to Poland and started his studies at the University of Wrocław. Ivan works with Rafał Grzelczak on the synthesis of novel rotaxanes. In his free time, Ivan enjoys running and hiking.

Jose Valeur Basurto was born in 2002 in Queretaro, Mexico. In 2021, he graduated high school from the British School of Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica and moved to Poland in 2022. He is currently studying for a full-time bachelor's in chemistry at the University of Wrocław, where he joined the supramolecular research group. He is currently working with Jakub Sukiennik on the construction of new supramolecular assemblies.

Alicja Ciesielska was born in 2002 in Głogów. Her interest towards chemistry began at the end of middle school and last till this day. In 2021, she started studying Medical Chemistry at the University of Wrocław. During her free time, Ala enjoys reading books and walking. Ala works with Alexa on the self-assembly of new molecular links and knots.

Filip Otlewski was born in 2004 in Wrocław. As soon as he encountered chemistry in primary school, he immediately became deeply fascinated by it. In 2023, he graduated from high school and started studying Chemistry at the University of Wrocław. His never-ending quest for the most interesting chemistry has led him to the Szyszko Lab, where he currently develops rotaxane-based molecular shuttles with Rafał Grzelczak.