![Oliwia Zurek](/images/Magazine/24Summer/Alumni/2024-Alumni-Achievement-Awards-066.jpg)
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“Knox was an excellent place for someone like me, who really wanted to seize all of the opportunities in front of me. Thanks to the McNair program, TRIO, and the Ford Fellowship, I was able to develop as a scientist.”
—Oliwia Zurek ’10
Oliwia Zurek ’10, originally from Poland, began her U.S. education with minimal English but excelled at Knox College, graduating with Honors. She earned a Ph.D. in immunology and infectious disease from Montana State University and conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University. Zurek secured significant grants, authored numerous publications, and became a sought-after speaker. A U.S. citizen since 2012, she advocated for NIH funding in Washington, D.C. Transitioning to biotech, she led clinical trials and FDA market launches for chronic disease treatments. Committed to mentoring, Zurek now focuses on implementing advanced technology in health care, continuing to empower others.