One of fifteen finalists

WMU student selected as a finalist of the Bison Fellowship mentoring program Mateusz Lickindorf, a medical student at Wroclaw Medical University (WMU), has been selected as one of the 15 finalists of the Bison Fellowship – a new mentoring program designed for outstanding young innovators, researchers, and technology enthusiasts.

The Bison Fellowship supports individuals developing projects in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and emerging technologies. Over the course of two months, participants will refine solutions with real-world potential while developing their skills under the guidance of mentors affiliated with leading universities, technology companies, and startups. The program also includes a 10-day summer school in San Francisco, where fellows will gain first-hand exposure to the innovation ecosystem, meeting AI researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Nearly 150 candidates applied for the inaugural edition of the program. Eighty students, university students, and recent graduates aged 18–26 advanced to the second stage, from which the selection committee chose the final group of 15 fellows.

Mateusz Lickindorf combines medical expertise with engineering and technology experience. He is a sixth-year medical student at Wroclaw Medical University, a student of the Trusted Artificial Intelligence program at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, and a graduate of Biomedical Engineering with a specialization in Medical Informatics at the same university.

His work focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in medicine, clinical decision support systems, and translating technological innovation into healthcare practice. He is the founder and CEO of Oncosort, a health technology venture developing solutions to automate decision-making in oncology, particularly in the areas of drug reimbursement programs and reimbursement eligibility criteria.

Mateusz is also actively involved in promoting AI within academia. At WMU, he founded the Student Research Group for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine. His achievements include winning the Young Talents 2025 award in the Entrepreneurship category and becoming a finalist of EIT Jumpstarter 2025. He has also received the City of Wrocław Scholarship for his contribution to sustainable development and the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for outstanding academic achievements.

His international academic experience includes study visits to Technische Universität Berlin, where he completed the Python for Data Science course with distinction, and the Prague University of Economics and Business. He currently works with the BLIK team, combining expertise in cybersecurity and medical data protection to develop secure solutions for the financial sector.

“The greatest value of this program is undoubtedly the people behind it. For me, it is an opportunity to exchange experiences with an exceptionally inspiring group of fellows who stand out for their ability to turn ideas into action. They build companies, create tangible projects, and change the world despite their young age,” says Mateusz Lickindorf.

He also highlights the opportunity to work with his mentor, Krzysztof Geras, a professor at New York University and co-founder of Ataraxis AI.

“I believe his experience and perspective will provide invaluable support as I continue to develop my projects, plan future ventures, and broaden my horizons,” he adds.

The Bison Fellowship is delivered as part of the This is IT and This is the World initiatives, led by Maciej Kawecki, a science and technology communicator, and Michał Wyrębkowski, the program’s originator and co-creator of initiatives supporting young technology talent. The Rafał Brzoska Foundation is also a partner of the program, while Rafał Brzoska, founder of InPost, serves on the Bison Fellowship Program Council. According to the organizers, the initiative aims to support the next generation of Polish innovators.

Photo: Courtesy of the organizers / Łukasz Bernaś.