A recipient of numerous scientific awards, including the most prestigious national scientific prize awarded by the Foundation for Polish Science. He has been honored with high state decorations for research achievements, including awards from Belgium, France, and Japan. He holds honorary doctorates from numerous universities in Poland and abroad and is a member of many foreign academies of sciences. From 2001 to 2005, he served as Minister of Science and Information Technology, and from 2006 to 2010 as Social Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland for education and research.