EASST - Meet the board
Prof. Łukasz Wyrzykowski
President of the board
An astrophysicist, he works at the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw and the National Centre for Nuclear Research.
He studied astronomy at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw, where he also earned his PhD in astronomy (2005), habilitation (2012), and professorship (2021). He has held research and teaching positions at universities in Tel Aviv, Manchester, Geneva, Princeton, and Santa Barbara, California, but feels most connected to the University of Cambridge in the UK, where he spent 10 years.
Author and co-author of over 350 peer-reviewed scientific papers, including in Nature and Science. Principal investigator of numerous scientific grants, including those from the European Commission. In 2020, he chaired the Scientific Panel at the Polish Space Agency. His scientific interests include dark matter research, black hole observations, the use of gravitational microlensing, large sky surveys – especially the Gaia space mission – machine learning in astronomy, and the automation of astronomical and space research.
Privately, he is the husband of a PhD in biblical studies, father of three children, and owner of a dog named Alfa Sagittari.
Gabriela Sanek
Vice-president
Born and raised in the East of Poland. Educated in Toronto, Canada at Ryerson University (Radio and Television Arts), and Perth Australia at Curtin, University (Journalism and Documentary Production), as well as Warsaw, Poland at the University of Warsaw (Text Editing and Writing Specialty, Post-graduate level).
She’s been working at the Polish Public Broadcasting Corporation - TVP S.A. She was part of the team that created the first Polish History channel – TVP Historia and then went on to create a reportage program “The Polish Reporter” for Channel 2 – TVP 2. She was part of other channels like TVP Polonia and worked as a producer at the news station TVP Info. She’s also been co-operating with international producers and tv stations on various documentaries, tv shows and features; including: History Channel Canada, Scholastics Inc. New York, Home and Garden Network United States and United Kingdom, ABC TV Sydney, to name a few.
Gabriela joined the EASST Foundation inspired by the possibilities and excitement the world of astronomy can offer. In the Foundation she is responsible for all things office related and logistics.
In her private life she is married to Mirosław, who is an expert in data protection, and a happy mom to Krzyś who is 9 and Maria who is 7. They live in Warsaw, which is the city of her dreams.
Wieńczysław Bykowski
Board member
Astronomer, space safety specialist and tour guide. He studied Astronomy at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, where he defended his thesis ”Transit Timing Variations in the search for exoplanets” in 2010. After this, he pursued his career in the private sector, where he developed skills in space safety.
Within EASST he is responsible primarily for the space situational awareness projects, but he is always open to any crazy ideas!
Privately, he is married to a brilliant solar system researcher, Joanna and loves travelling. He visited almost all European countries and inhabited all continents apart from South America.
Ela Łazarewicz-Wyrzykowska
Board member
A biblical scholar, practical theologian, coach, mentor, trainer, and author.
She holds an MA in Polish Philology from the University of Warsaw and a PhD in Biblical Studies from the University of Manchester, UK. Since 2018, Elżbieta has been affiliated with The Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology in Cambridge, where she currently serves as a visiting lecturer. She also collaborates with the Integral Development and Solidarity Lab (IDEAS LAB) at the University of Warsaw.
From 2023 to 2025, she is a fellow in the Psychology Cross-Training Programme for Theologians at the University of Birmingham, funded by the John Templeton Foundation.
Elżbieta’s involvement with EASST is driven by her commitment to interdisciplinary dialogue, a deep belief in the importance of science communication, and a passion for supporting the healthy and sustainable development of individuals and organisations.
In addition to her academic work, she is the author of It's Jesus!, a picture book designed not only for children.
A native of Warsaw, Elżbieta has lived, studied, and worked in Tel Aviv, Manchester, and Cambridge. She now lives in southern Poland with her husband—an astronomy professor—their three children, and a dog.
Zbigniew Grabowski
Vice-president
Teacher and principal at the Public School in Sułkowice-Bolęcina. He studied Social Sciences at the Pedagogical University of Krakow, completed postgraduate studies in education management, computer science, local government administration, distance learning, personal data protection and coaching, training and tutoring courses. Trainer and coordinator of educational projects for young people and adults. Popularizer of science, knowledge and modern technologies. Organizer of a series of symposia for teachers and students entitled "The Art of Teaching and Learning". Since 2022, he has been organizing monthly workshops "Kosmiting" and an annual conference popularizing the teaching of astronomy and cooperation at the interface of education, science and participatory science entitled "Kosmiting Summit". Initiator of the construction and creator of the School Astronomical Observatory "Bolęcina" at the Public School in Sułkowice-Bolęcina.
Passionate about photography, astronomy and electronic music.
In the electronic reality of Second Life, as Zbig Shoreman, he attends lectures and gives talks at the Academia Elektronika of the Institute of Philosophy of the Jagiellonian University.
Author of the series of broadcasts “Pod niebem pełnym cudów” on the local Radio Andrychów. Member of the group of innovative teachers - Superbelfrzy RP. Privately, a husband and father of three adult children. He lives in the Beskid Mountains, in southern Lesser Poland.