In language, the word science is feminine. Stereotypes, however, tell us that great scientists are mostly men. The strong, female scientists of Ukraine are working hard to refute that myth. On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we talk to mentors and students of Noosphere Engineering School who are proving that the desire to learn, create and develop doesn’t depend on gender.
Kateryna Molodetska, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor.
Educational and Scientific Center Head, Information Technologies at Polissia National University; head of the Scientific and Technical Laboratory of the Noosphere Engineering School in Zhytomyr.
How did you get into science?
After the first year of working as an assistant in the department, I wanted to learn more and develop professionally. Like all young teachers, I was afraid of not knowing the answers to the students’ tricky questions. So I decided to start working on scientific research, and a year later I enrolled in postgraduate studies at the G. E. Pukhov Institute of Modeling in Energy Engineering, National Academy of Sciences.
What projects are you working on and what are your scientific interests?
My first experience in scientific research was in the field of mathematical modeling. The course work was related to science-intensive disciplines – systems analysis, systems theory and, of course, modeling. Later, information security was added as another priority area. Since last year, I have been working on studying the impact of information on societal transformation, as part of the four-year APEX scientific program of the Fil Dr Jan-U Sandal Institute (Oslo, Norway).
Where did you want to work when you were a child? Did this wish come true?
At first, I dreamed of becoming a primary school teacher, or at least a teacher of Ukrainian language and literature. During my student days, I gave up this desire – the work of a teacher seemed very stressful and poorly paid. Unexpectedly, the dream came true in a slightly modified form, and I have been teaching at the university for 15 years and participating in various educational initiatives.
Do you have a big professional dream?
I have achieved my professional goals. All that remains is that I keep up with all new educational trends, continue scientific research, and learn from the experience of foreign colleagues.
Which famous scientist do you look up to?
For me, this is the first female Nobel laureate and the first laureate of two Nobel prizes: for physics and chemistry, Marie Sklodowska-Curie. She is the only double laureate in the world in these fields of science.
How did your work change after the war started?
Before the full-scale invasion, I planned to do a long-term internship abroad. After last February, we realized that this is not the time for self-development, and it is necessary to work with student teams, to support project activities.
What would you say to yourself as a little girl?
Even when it is very difficult and all the doors seem closed, don’t give up. Believe in yourself.
Olga Nykoliuk, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor.
Computer Technologies and System Modeling Department Head, Polissia National University; Noosphere Engineering School laboratory mentor in Zhytomyr.
How did you get into science?
By profession, I am a financier, a banker. But life turned out differently and I switched to economics and agriculture.
What projects are you working on and what are your scientific interests?
My primary scientific interest is modeling. We are currently modeling agricultural markets: how the agricultural sector of Ukraine will develop in the future, particularly in the context of the European Union. Ukraine supplies food to a significant part of the world and, of course, everyone is interested in what we will be capable of in modern conditions. We have predicted the needs of 10, 15, and even more years.
I also study the competitiveness of agricultural products and organics. I’ve always been interested in healthy food, so I’ve turned my personal curiosity into a business.
Another area is the business part of startup projects, their foundation. I work with young people, helping them believe in themselves and achieve success.
Where did you want to work when you were a child? Did this wish come true?
To be honest, knowing myself, I think I just wanted to be successful and rich. Maybe at some point I wanted to be a doctor because I have four generations of doctors in my family.
Do you have a big professional dream?
In addition to being a scientist, I am also a teacher. I am very proud of my students and I want all of them to achieve tremendous success. I believe this would be my achievement as well.
I also want to do something to speed up the development of our country. Now I am trying to bring Ukraine closer to the European Union. I am doing everything to join the team that will make decisions about the readiness or unreadiness of the Ukrainian agricultural sector for EU integration.
Which famous scientist is a role model for you?
It is very important for me to be able to maintain balance. Sometimes we work fourteen hours a day, it’s not good, especially if you have a family. That is why I am inspired by scientists who know how to combine personal life and serious scientific achievements.
Marie Sklodowska-Curie is known to everyone – we know that she practically sacrificed her life for the sake of her scientific activities. But at the same time, she was a wife who inspired her husband to make equally important inventions and raised a daughter who was also successful.
Another example is Hedy Lamarr, who was not only a successful actress, but also an outstanding scientist.
How did your work change after the war started?
The volume of work has increased significantly. The scope of activity has expanded, as the areas of work with disinformation and countering cyber attacks have now been added. Also, in absolutely all areas, an additional request from the EU appeared.
I also deal with geographic information systems, satellite images. The need to determine the actual cultivated areas increased during the war.
What would you say to yourself as a little girl?
I would advise myself to learn to rest. And I would say that professional success is not the most important thing in life. It’s important to have rest and hobbies.
I am currently looking for this hobby. This is not so easy when a hobby is a job. I love it, but there is too much work in my life.
Svitlana Klymenko, Technical Sciences candidate, Docent.
Acting Department Head – Cyber Security and Computer-integrated Technologies, Faculty of Physics and Technology, Oles Honchar Dnipro National University; Noosphere Engineering School Head, Dnipro.
How did you get into science?
After school, I entered the Faculty of Physics and Technology, majoring in “Non-destructive testing devices for technical and medical diagnostics”. It was a new speciality and there was something unusual about its title.
Unlike my fellow students, I already had several publications in scientific journals and participated in conferences before graduating. At the master thesis defense, the head of the department offered to continue my postgraduate studies. I finished my postgraduate studies and defended my PhD thesis at the Faculty of Applied Mathematics of DNU. Postgraduate studying and working as an assistant in the chair allowed me to diversify my scientific interests a little, and I really liked it.
What projects are you working on and what are your scientific interests?
It’s hard for me to name the main thing. I have students studying at a professional college, students of the first (bachelor), second (master) and third level (doctors of philosophy). All of them have different hobbies and study in different educational programs (“Cyber security”, “Automation and computer-integrated technologies”, “Software engineering”, “Computer engineering”, “Biotechnologies” and others). Therefore, all students strive to improve both within their specialty and beyond the listed specialties. They constantly inspire me to grow.
The main scientific interests are mathematical methods and algorithms of automated management and control systems; information technology in tasks of psychometric diagnosis of a person; information technologies in cyber security tasks; technical information protection systems; information technologies of education in a higher technical school, etc.
Where did you want to work when you were a child? Did this wish come true?
Oddly enough, as a child, I dreamed of becoming a first-grade teacher. So the dream almost came true.
Do you have a big professional dream?
Probably to find time and defend a doctoral thesis. I hope that it will happen in the near future.
Which of the famous scientists is a role model for you?
There was an amazing female scientist – Hedy Lamarr. Few people have heard of her, but this brilliant Hollywood actress created the basis of wireless communication. She worked with her friend on the technology of protected radio control of torpedoes using pseudo-random codes to encrypt information (this prevented the missile from being intercepted and its course changed).
How did your work change after the war started?
The job changed: I headed the Noosphere Engineering School in Dnipro, and also headed the department of cyber security and computer-integrated technologies of the Faculty of Physics and Technology of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University.
What would you say to yourself as a little girl?
You need to use time creatively and always understand that it is always a great time to do something wonderful.
Olga Stepanchenko – Technical Sciences Candidate , associate docent.
Director of the Rivne Professional College of Economics and Business; Noosphere Engineering Laboratory Director, Rivne.
How did you get into science?
I worked as a software engineer in a regional hospital and decided that it wasn’t for me. I didn’t like working in a hospital, so I went to postgraduate school.
What are your scientific interests?
Mathematical modeling of processes in perforated environments.
Where did you want to work when you were a child? Did this wish come true?
When I was a child, I answered unequivocally: an engineer. The wish did not come true, because in my imagination I wanted to become a classic engineer. My parents were physicists, but I never entered the physics faculty, which I still regret a little.
Do you have a big professional goal?
Yes. To break the educational system of Ukraine, completely destroy it.
I’m kidding, but not really. The further I move in scientific and educational activities, the more I see that the system cannot be reformed, a new one must be built. That is why I am grateful to the School of Engineering, because here I try something new, and the results of my work are visible.
Which of the famous scientists is an authority for you?
Of course, Marie Sklodowska-Curie will be in first place. I understand that she didn’t give her life for science consciously. But you had to have the courage to continue doing it, even understanding what it was all about.
How did your work change after the war started?
It hasn’t changed in any way. This is partly due to the specifics of the region in which I live. Of course, I was in shock in the first months. But now there are no changes. My daughter, who is also a scientist, said: “I finally understood how people survived the Second World War – people get used to everything.” No matter how scary it is, we get used to everything. And even during the war, we dream, plan, work, understanding that everything can end at any moment.
What would you say to yourself as a little girl?
Tell your parents to take you out of school where you learn Spanish and learn English.
Olena Belozerova – fourth-year postgraduate student, National University of Water and Environmental Engineering; Noosphere Engineering School laboratory Mentor, Rivne.
How did you get started in science?
When I studied at the university, I was offered a job where I also did scientific work. I collaborated with colleagues, and then I went to postgraduate school – and it all turned around somehow, even imperceptibly for me.
What projects are you working on and what are your scientific interests?
Mathematical computer modeling of soil processes using satellite data. It’s something I’m interested in, something I’m good at, and something few people do.
Where did you want to work when you were a child? Did this wish come true?
As a child, I did not know what I wanted to do. Everyone joked that I would be a teacher, but I definitely did not like this option. I wanted something that would not limit me too much. In science, these plans have been realized.
Do you have a big professional dream?
There are no global dreams yet. Now I am at the stage when the obtained work results need to be formalized – this is a time-consuming process. That’s why everyone reminds me that I need to write a thesis. I want to not just write it, but to do something useful and interesting.
Which famous scientist is an authority for you?
For me, and maybe more than just me, my academic supervisors are my authorities and role models.
How did your work change after the war started?
Of course, in the first months we were all in shock. But later we started to plan and get a hold of ourselves, no matter what happened. Because if you don’t dream, don’t strive and don’t plan, then what’s the point of everything? Why should our military win if we give up?
What would you say to yourself as a little girl?
I would tell myself not to be afraid of new things and to be more courageous.
Liubov Shostak – second-year postgraduate student, National University of Water and Environmental Engineering; Noosphere Engineering School laboratory mentor, Rivne.
How did you get your start in science?
It all started in my third year of university when I joined in working on projects at the Noosphere engineering laboratory.
What are your scientific interests?
Mathematical and computer modeling of land conditions.
Where did you want to work when you were a child? Did this wish come true?
By the ninth grade, I wanted to become a doctor.
Do you have a big professional dream?
I want to finish my projects and get a result that will be useful for society.
How did your work change after the war started?
It really only felt different in the first months. Now I’m working as usual. Except that my requirements of myself have increased because I understand that everyone should do their best where they are.
What would you say to yourself as a little girl?
I would advise myself to work more and develop comprehensively.
The desire to develop and affect lives around you doesn’t depend on gender. Perhaps today’s little girls, who ask their parents difficult questions and wonder how the world works, will become tomorrow’s outstanding inventors or Nobel laureates. For this, young dreamers just need to believe in themselves and feel supported. And there will always be opportunities to succeed – for example, among Noosphere projects and initiatives.