**Maciej Gaj ˛ecki**

DVM—Professor of Veterinary Sciences at the Department of Veterinary Prevention and Feed Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. He completed a full-time Master's degree program at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Technology in Olsztyn, and received a Master of Science degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1973. From May 1973 to September 1975, he was employed at the state-owned Animal Health Care Center and Commercial Pig Farm. Since 1981, he has been employed at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. During his professional career, he has been awarded a doctoral degree in Veterinary Sciences, a postdoctoral degree in Veterinary Sciences and the academic title of Professor of Veterinary Sciences. Over the last 27 years, the research interests of Professor Gajecki and his co-workers have centered around the effects exerted by zearalenone on farm animals (gilts), companion animals (female dogs), and humans (female patients). Professor Gajecki has conducted studies investigating the influence of zearalenone on the health of the reproductive tract and zearalenone mycotoxicosis in female patients, with a particular emphasis on the mycotoxin's effects on the mammary gland. As part of his professional activities, Professor Gajecki provided advisory service to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. He was President of the Sanitary-Epizootic Council at the General Veterinary Inspectorate (prevention and control of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Aujeszky's disease). He is also the Director of postgraduate specialization studies in veterinary prevention and feed hygiene at the Polish National Veterinary Chamber. He has been elected three times as the Chairman of Polish delegates participating in annual meetings of the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Codex Task Force on Animal Feeding (established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission) in Copenhagen.
