Innovative Research Receives Funding to Decode Healing Signals in Cells

O'Shaughnessy Ventures and Innovations in Healing

In a groundbreaking initiative, O'Shaughnessy Ventures LLC (OSV) is paving the way for transformative medical therapies by supporting cutting-edge research into how cells heal and regenerate. The firm has awarded the 2026 O'Shaughnessy Fellowship to Wiktoria Pawlak, a bioengineer and AI expert based in Poland, who is set to develop an AI model aimed at deciphering the electrical signals emitted by cells—a revolutionary approach towards promoting healing and recovery without relying solely on pharmaceuticals.

Wiktoria Pawlak's innovative research seeks to recognize and analyze the recurring electrical patterns that cells employ during their healing processes. Unlike traditional methods that often isolate individual signals, her model will observe patterns over time, providing valuable insights into how tissues organize themselves during recovery. This method highlights the potential to develop 'electroceutical' therapies that harness these natural electric signals for therapeutic purposes, promising a new era of treatment methods focused on guiding regeneration instead of merely relying on chemicals.

Over the next year, Pawlak aims to establish a proof of concept that determines whether tissues are healthy or diseased, predicts future changes, and identifies significant electrical patterns that could influence the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Pawlak's academic pedigree is impressive. She earned her Master of Engineering in bioengineering from the University of California, Berkeley. There, she garnered notable accolades, including the Rafał Brzoska Foundation scholarship and the Fung Institute's MEng Opportunity Award. At Berkeley, she contributed to the development of technology for electrically stimulating heart cells and created CellLense, an advanced computer-vision system that enhances cardiac-cell microscopy. Prior to this, she conducted research at Tilburg University, studying the electrical signals of glial cells as they transition into glioblastoma—an aggressive form of brain cancer.

In 2026, Pawlak was recognized as one of the 26 women to watch by Forbes Women Poland, exemplifying her influence and forward-thinking in the intersection of bioengineering and AI. Her extensive background showcases her commitment to pushing the boundaries of bioelectricity and its applications in the medical field.

Jim O'Shaughnessy, the founder and CEO of OSV, emphasizes Pawlak's exceptional qualifications, stating, "Wiktoria's resume speaks for itself. She's been working at the frontier of bioelectricity for years, and her intelligence and ambition position her to turn this work into something transformational for patients. We are honored to support her endeavors."

Pawlak acknowledges the significance of receiving the fellowship, sharing her sentiments: "Some ideas ask us not to be certain, but not to be afraid. Joining the O'Shaughnessy Fellowships gives me the community and support to pursue my research further with that kind of courage."

The O'Shaughnessy Fellowships program, launched in 2023, aims to uncover and empower the world's most audacious creatives, builders, and researchers. Each fellow receives grants of up to $100,000 and benefits from access to OSV’s expansive network of founders, investors, and industry experts. In 2026, OSV plans to award a total of 20 fellowships, with Pawlak being one of the highlights of this year's recipients.

Applications for the upcoming O'Shaughnessy Fellowships will reopen on January 1, 2027, encouraging individuals worldwide to partake in this venture that champions creativity and innovation in various fields.

In summary, Wiktoria Pawlak's work funded by O'Shaughnessy Ventures represents a pioneering leap in understanding cell behavior and healing. As she ventures into the application of AI to interpret the electrical dynamics of cells, the medical community stands on the brink of potential breakthroughs that could redefine treatment methodologies and improve patient outcomes across numerous health challenges.