Mobility of Doctoral Students from the University of Life Sciences in Lublin at the 14th International Conference Agriculture & Food in Burgas, Bulgaria

From 10–13 August 2026, three doctoral students from the Doctoral School of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin — MSc Eng. Magdalena Moczulska, MSc Eng. Agnieszka Dobosz, and MSc Wojciech Ospałek — participated in the international scientific conference “14th International Conference Agriculture & Food”, held at Hotel Bulgaria in Burgas, Bulgaria. The mobility was carried out as part of the NAWA STER programme supporting the international mobility of doctoral students.

Mobility Activities

During the conference, we had the opportunity to listen to international speakers and discuss our ongoing research. On 11–12 August, we presented the results of our research in English to an international audience of scientists:

• MSc Eng. Magdalena Moczulska presented a poster entitled “The effect of dietary Clitoria ternatea L. supplementation on the chemical composition and nutritive value of pork”, focusing on the impact of dietary supplementation in pigs on the chemical composition and nutritional value of pork.
• MSc Eng. Agnieszka Dobosz presented a poster entitled “The effect of high-protein organic feeds in pig diets on slaughter and carcass characteristics, and the fatty acid profile of meat”, addressing the use of high-protein organic feeds in pig nutrition and their effects on slaughter and carcass characteristics and the fatty acid profile of meat.
• MSc Wojciech Ospałek presented a poster entitled “Occurrence of Shiga toxicity genes in the microbiome of free-living ruminants”, presenting research findings on the presence of virulence genes in E. coli within the microbiome of free-living ruminants.

Our presentations attracted considerable interest. Although presenting our research to an international audience was accompanied by some stress, it was also a very rewarding and important experience. The discussions, exchange of experiences, and contacts established with scientists from other countries have provided valuable motivation for our further scientific work.

Participation in Scientific Sessions and New Perspectives

During the conference, we had the opportunity to participate in numerous oral and poster sessions covering topics such as innovative strategies in crop and livestock production, food quality and safety, environmental hygiene, and the One Health concept. The event provided an opportunity to meet researchers from countries including Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Türkiye, Germany, and Spain.

Participation in the conference allowed us to improve our ability to present research findings in English, engage in scientific discussions in an international setting, learn about current research projects, and identify potential areas for future research and publication collaborations.

Discovering Bulgarian Culture and Tourist Attractions

In addition to our intensive participation in the scientific conference, we also had an excellent opportunity to discover the rich culture and history of Bulgaria. During our free time, we visited not only Burgas — a vibrant port city known for its beautiful Sea Garden — but also Nessebar, whose ancient old town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its unique architecture. As part of the trip, we also had the opportunity to visit the famous Golden Sands, considered one of the most attractive destinations on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The trip therefore also provided a chance to relax and recharge before returning to our scientific work.

Summary

The trip to Burgas was not only highly valuable for our scientific and professional development, but also provided an opportunity to discover the culture and heritage of the Balkan region. The mobility helped us overcome communication barriers, establish new international contacts, and gain valuable experience. The knowledge and inspiration gained during the conference will support us in further developing our research activities and building future collaborations with international partners.

The mobility was carried out as part of the NAWA STER Project “Actions towards the internationalization of the Doctoral School of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin (I-SDUPL).”