When applying for the scholarship, Nikodem Ciomcia was an engaged physics enthusiast actively searching for his path in science. He participated in competitions, research projects, and educational initiatives, gradually transforming scientific curiosity into tangible achievements. He also developed his own project, “Alternative Charging – Energy from Life,” focused on the use of thermoelectric cells and human body heat as an energy source. Even then, he combined his scientific interests with social engagement, education, and volunteering, treating this period as a transition from exploration to a consciously built academic trajectory.
He is currently studying Physics and Nuclear Energy at the University of Warsaw, consistently developing towards nuclear physics and research work. He is gaining academic and institutional experience at the National Centre for Nuclear Research as well as in the Nuclear Theory Group at the Faculty of Physics of the Warsaw University of Technology, which focuses on nuclear physics, low-energy reactions, neutron star matter, and advanced HPC computations, in collaboration with research centers in the USA, Japan, and Europe. Support from the Rafał Brzoska Foundation enabled him to enter the next stage of development, expand the scope of his activities, and plan his scientific career more deliberately. His goal is to continue his development at leading academic institutions worldwide and to build scientific collaborations with institutions such as MIT and the University of Cambridge.
Alongside his academic path, Nikodem has been socially engaged for years, treating knowledge sharing and supporting young people as an essential part of his journey and public engagement. He has worked as a volunteer for the Future Academy, teaching physics and mathematics, and has long supported the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity as well as other educational and social initiatives. He is a scout instructor, working with children and young people to develop skills and agency. He also serves as Secretary of the Science and Higher Education Committee within the Youth Council at the Parliamentary Team for Youth Affairs and has been a member of the Children and Youth Council of the Republic of Poland. He views his social engagement as a form of genuine “giving back” — sharing what he has received through support, education, and trust.