Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Ivano-Frankivsk, a beautiful city in western Ukraine. After high school, I was accepted to both medical and law schools, but my passion for human health led me to pursue medicine. I completed my medical degree at Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, where I also began my research journey and clinical training in internal medicine. At the same time, I joined the Department of Pathophysiology, where I conducted research and taught medical, dentistry, and pharmacy students. My first PhD focused on experimental acute lung injury and methods of its correction. Over 12 years, I built my academic career from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, participated in numerous research projects, and developed the university’s first Pathophysiology Competition for international students, which quickly became one of its most popular events. Despite a rewarding career, my long-standing interest in molecular mechanisms of aging motivated me to pursue deeper scientific training. This led me to the University of Lethbridge, where I began my second PhD in Biomolecular Sciences in 2018 under the supervision of Dr. Igor Kovalchuk.
How long have you been at ULethbridge, and what do you do here?
I have been at the University of Lethbridge since 2018. After completing my PhD in 2022, I continued my research in the Kovalchuk lab and completed two MITACS Accelerate postdoctoral fellowships:
- University of Lethbridge / GoodCap Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Project: Anti-inflammatory effect of psilocybin and psychedelic mushrooms. - University of Lethbridge / BioAro
Project: Omics tools for prediction and treatment of various medical conditions.
Following these fellowships, I joined ULethbridge as a Partnership and Commercialization Coordinator, where I now support research commercialization, industry partnerships and innovation-driven collaborations.
What does your job entail?
In my role as Partnership and Commercialization Coordinator, I help bridge the gap between research and real-world application. My work includes:
- Identifying commercialization opportunities within academic research
- Building and maintaining partnerships with industry, government and innovation networks
- Helping researchers navigate funding, commercialization pathways and collaborative opportunities
- Facilitating events, connections and strategic initiatives that promote ULethbridge research impact
What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is networking and communication — connecting with researchers, industry partners, and innovators, and helping ideas grow into meaningful collaborations.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I love travelling, exploring nature and reading. My latest, and probably favourite, hobby is painting, especially painting by number, which I find both relaxing and creatively fulfilling.