Research

Daniel Strub, BEng., Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, is employed as a research and teaching assistant professor. He is an active researcher with a number of notable achievements related to his scientific work. His research and development activities lie within the field of fragrances.

His current research focuses primarily on the chemistry and biological activity of natural flavors and fragrances. He established a unique Laboratory of Flavors and Fragrances at Wrocław Tech, where he and his team investigate both fundamental and applied aspects of natural and synthetic volatile and non-volatile compounds. These studies include the characterization of natural matrices using comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, pyrolysis, and olfactometry; toxicity evaluation employing non-animal alternative assays; and the development of technologies for natural cosmetics.

His group collaborates with flavor and fragrance companies worldwide, which has enabled the collection of over 1,000 samples of natural complex substances (NCSs) so far. This extensive library serves as a foundation for in-depth studies aimed at real-world applications in areas such as biocidal products, cosmetics, and therapeutics.

Achievements in this field and international recognition have led to his appointment to several prestigious international bodies, including: membership in the Permanent Scientific Committee of the International Symposium on Essential Oils, the Panel of Experts of the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT), and the Editorial Board of the Journal of Essential Oil Research.

Education 

2024, Habilitation, chemical sciences, Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Wrocław Tech)

2014, PhD with distinction, chemical sciences, Wrocław Tech

2009 – 2014, PhD student, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wrocław Tech. (Prof. Stanisław Lochyński)

Current Employment

Since 2024 – Associate Professor, Faculty of Chemistry

Previous Employment

2017 – 2024, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław Tech.

2011 – 2017, Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry, Wrocław Tech.

Research and Training Fellowships

2024 – 2024 Visiting Scholar, A. Fakhry & Co., Cairo, Egypt, internship.

2018 – 2018 Visiting scholar, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France, scientific internship.

2013 – 2013 Visiting scholar, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences QB3, San Francisco, business internship – Top500 Innovators Programme.

2013 – 2013 Visiting scholar, University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, science-business internship – Top500 Innovators Programme.

2013 – 2013      Visiting scholar, University of Opole, Faculty of Chemistry, scientific internship

2009 – 2009      Visiting scholar, Leibniz Institute of Genetics and Crop Plants Research, Gatersleben, Germany, scientific internship

International Collaboration

1. Niko Radulović, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš, Serbia – collaboration on the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel odorants; personnel exchange (PhD student Kinga Baberowska, 2024); co-authored patent application on ester derivatives of phenolic acids with antifungal and olfactory properties (P.451578, 2025).
2. Sachiko Koyama, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA – joint research within the Global Consortium for Chemosensory Research (GCCR) on the role of bioactive phytochemicals in chemosensory recovery and COVID-19-related dysfunctions; co-authorship of a peer-reviewed publication (Frontiers in Nutrition, 2024) and conference communication (AChemS 2023, Bonita Springs, FL).
3. Ana Cristina Figueiredo, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology, University of Lisbon, Portugal – collaboration on the anthelmintic potential of natural complex substances (NCSs); personnel exchange (PhD student Zuzanna Bacińska, 2025).

Awards and Honors

2025 – Gold medal at the Bangkok Intellectual Property, Invention, Innovation, and Technology Exposition, February 2–6, 2025

2023 – Provost Award of Wrocław University of Science and Technology for outstanding contribution to the university’s activities

2022 – Silver medal for the invention "Ether-based fragrance compounds and method of production" at the International Warsaw Invention Show, IWIS 2022

2014-2017 – IFEAT Young Scientist Fee Award (4 times)

2015 – Wrocław University of Technology Provost Award for the distinguishing PhD thesis

2013-2014 – Faculty of Chemistry Dean's award for activity in favour of PhD Students community (2 times)

2012 – Faculty of Chemistry Dean's award for outstanding scientific achievements

Selected Publications 

1. Trovato, E., Balcerzak, L., Vidal, C., Strub, D.J.*, Fakhry, H.A., Dugo, P., Mondello, L., Gas chromatographic, sensory profile and biological properties evaluation of Egyptian Jasminum grandiflorum essential oil produced industrially by steam distillation, J. Ess. Oil Res., 2024, 36, 321-332
2. Balcerzak, L., Surowiak, A., Groborz, K, Stróżak, S., Piekarska, K., Strub D.J.* Comparative Evaluation of Mutagenic, Genotoxic, Cytotoxic, and Antimicrobial Effects of Flavour and Fragrance Aldehydes, Ketones, Oximes, and Oxime Ethers Toxicology, 2023, 490, 153510
3. Strub, D.J.*, Talma, M., Strub, M., Rut, W., Żmudziński, M., Brud, W., Neyts, J., Vangeel, L., Zhang, L., Sun, X., Lv, Z., Nayak, D., Olsen, S., Hilgenfeld, R., Jochmans, D., Drąg, M.* Evaluation of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties of essential oils and aromatic extracts Scientific Reports 2022, 12, 14230
4. Balcerzak, L., Surowiak, A., Adamowicz, A., Kaleta, M., Pieńkosz-Żagań, A., Strub, D.J.* Evaluation of small combinatorial libraries of nitrogenous low-molecular-weight compounds for new fragrance development Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 2022, 115, 339-344
5. Balcerzak, L., Gibka, J., Sikora, M., Kula, J., Strub, D.J.*, Minor constituents of essential oils and aromatic extracts. Oximes derived from natural flavor and fragrance raw materials – sensory evaluation, spectral and gas chromatographic characteristics Food Chemistry 2019, 301, 125283, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019

Patent Applications and Implementations

Co-inventor in more than 30 patents and patent applications

Most recent patent applications

1. 450482 – Use of protic ionic liquids – 3-alkoxymethyl-1H-imidazolium salicylates – as stabilizing agents for silver nanoparticles and as antimicrobial agents. Inventors: Małgorzata M. Policht, Joanna M. Feder-Kubis, Daniel J. Strub, Lucyna Balcerzak Status: Polish patent application filed on December 5, 2024
2. 450483 – 3-Tetradecyloxymethyl-1H-imidazolium salicylate, method of its preparation, and its use as an antimicrobial agent. Inventors: Małgorzata M. Policht, Joanna M. Feder-Kubis, Daniel J. Strub, Lucyna Balcerzak Status: Polish patent application filed on December 5, 2024
3. 451578 – Ester derivatives of phenolic acids, method of their synthesis, and their application as fragrance and antifungal agents. Inventors: Daniel J. Strub, Alicja K. Surowiak, Kinga Baberowska, Milena Z. Živković Stošić, Niko Radulović. Status: Polish patent application filed on March 26, 2025

Implementations

1. Industrial implementation (2021) – Licensing ((License No. PRO/DPN/ZKO/0181/3742/2021) and market application of patented oxime ether-based fragrance compounds. Based on Polish Patent No. PL 436291 – “Ether-based fragrance compounds and method of their preparation” Inventors: Daniel J. Strub, Lucyna Balcerzak, Alicja Surowiak Patent application no. 436291, filed: December 9, 2020; patent granted: June 21, 2023

This implementation is directly linked to the outcomes of the LIDER programme (National Centre for Research and Development), for which Prof. Strub served as principal investigator. The project, titled “Synthesis of novel fragrance compounds from natural resources for use in perfumery, cosmetics, and household chemistry” (acronym: SYNFRA), was conducted from 2017 to 2019.

2. Industrial implementation (2021) – Development and market introduction of an essential oil-based disinfectant In 2021, as part of an interdisciplinary collaboration (described under the “Mozart” programme), Prof. Strub conducted extensive research on the antimicrobial activity of essential oils. This partnership led to the development of a novel disinfectant formulation based on essential oil blends, designed and optimized at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. The resulting product was successfully launched to the market following regulatory approval. The Ministry of Health officially granted a permit for market introduction, confirming compliance with national health and safety standards for disinfectants. This implementation demonstrates the effective translation of academic expertise in natural products chemistry into a functional, commercially viable biocidal solution.

Dr. Daniel Strub Group