On 18 May 2022, at the Presidential Palace, Andrzej Duda, the President of the Republic of Poland, presented professor nominations to over 50 academic teachers, scientific workers and employees of the art institutions. Among the nominees was Prof. Krzysztof Kochanek, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing.

– I congratulate you on this achievement with all my heart. I congratulate you because this is a great moment in every scientist’s life – said President Andrzej Duda. He added that this was a summary but not the end of a scientist’s career. – It is a challenge to take research work to the next level, pursue new goals, and take up further scientific, teaching, and other activities. (…) I would like someone to bring to the Presidential Palace the Nobel Prize for scientific work carried out in Poland, at our university, our research center. I would love that – he emphasized.

Prof. Krzysztof Kochanek is a specialist in biomedical engineering, audiology, and electrophysiological studies of the hearing organ. He represents the field of medical and health sciences. He is the Scientific Secretary of the Institute of  Physiology and Pathology of Hearing. He is also a lecturer and teaching professor at the M. Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. He performs the function of the Secretary of the PAS Clinical Sciences Committee; he is a member of the Polish Society for Biomedical Engineering and a board member of the International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group. He was a General Council for Science and Higher Education member for two terms. Prof. Krzysztof Kochanek was nominated a year ago. However, the award ceremony was postponed due to the pandemic. 

It is worth noting that the President of the Republic of Poland grants professor titles to employees of science and art communities and academic teachers following an application of the Central Commission for Academic Degrees and Titles, replaced by the Council for Scientific Excellence two years ago. The President of the Republic of Poland decides to confer the title of professor in the form of a resolution previously countersigned by the Prime Minister. Acts conferring the title are presented to professors by the President.