Academia Europaea Cardiff is taking action to support Ukrainian researchers facing scientific isolation due to war. In collaboration with Odesa National Medical University, we are launching a pilot initiative to connect Ukrainian PhD students with academic mentors across Europe.
On Wednesday 14th May 2025, AE Cardiff, supported by Cardiff University, hosted a webinar meeting chaired by our Hub Director, Professor Ole Petersen CBE FRS ML MAE. The meeting, attended by close to 100 participants, provided an opportunity to hear directly from senior representatives of Odesa National Medical University as well as PhD students seeking academic support for their research. Through short talks, they shared their challenges, aspirations, and highlighted the vital role international collaboration plays in sustaining Ukrainian medical research.
Ole Petersen introduced the event by mentioning that Academia Europaea (AE) Stands with Ukraine and that AE has, right from the beginning of Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine, including outrageous regular bombings of civilian targets, strongly and explicitly supported the European Union member states, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the EEA countries’ actions against Russia. Odesa, Ukraine’s vitally important Black Sea port, has been hit particularly hard and it was therefore thought that a pilot support scheme should start with a focus on this city and its Medical University.
At a conference in Iasi, Romania, in December 2024, Ole Petersen met a delegation from Odesa National Medical University, including Iryna Savchenko (Assistant to the Rector for International Activities). He discussed with them ways in which Academia Europaea might help. The Odesa colleagues told him that they felt scientifically isolated and that this had a negative impact on the training of their PhD students. In further on-line discussions, the idea of linking individual students in Odesa with MAEs or other senior European colleagues came up. AE Cardiff therefore now seeks commitments from individual established biomedical scientists willing to discuss research progress (via Zoom, Teams, or via email) with individual PhD students at Odesa Medical University. This would be an informal mentor arrangement, with no requirement for any formalities (including written reports). We envisage a flexible on-line conversation arrangement (perhaps 30-60 min once a month or every second month, depending on individual circumstances). In some cases this might develop into real collaborations.
AE Cardiff and Odesa National Medical University would link individual PhD students in Odesa with individual established biomedical investigators, who express an interest in participating in this scheme.
Petersen explained that the meeting would begin with two presentations from the UK giving examples of the kind of expertise and help that could be made available to PhD students in Odesa. Thereafter, the First Vice-Rector of the Odesa National Medical University would provide a general overview of the University and discuss current problems. This would be followed by a number of talks about specific issues from Odesa. The meeting would conclude with a general discussion of the way forward.
The first talk was presented by Valerie O’Donnell OBE FMedSci MAE, Research Professor at Cardiff University’s School of Medicine. O’Donnell focussed on the discovery and characterisation of bioactive lipids and the analytical approaches she had developed. She introduced the database LIPID MAPS, an important internet resource available to lipid researchers worldwide. She highlighted opportunities for research collaboration and also provided an overview of broader activities across Cardiff University’s Schools of Medicine and Bioscience.
The second talk was given by Alexei Verkhratsky ML MAE, Professor of Neurophysiology at the University of Manchester, who is one of the world’s most cited neuroscientists. He spoke about his research on glia cells in the central nervous system and then presented an exciting new story about the key role of the cerebrospinal fluid. He also emphasised the importance and utility of international collaborative networks.
Valeriia Marichereda, First Vice-Rector and Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Odesa National Medical University offered an insight into the daily realities faced by students in Ukraine. She said:
“The struggle of young researchers in Ukraine often goes unnoticed, especially during these times of war. Imagine trying to pursue your scientific dreams when your university is damaged, your lab is gone, and your home is no longer safe. For many young Ukrainian scientists, this is the reality.
At present, the research infrastructure has been devastated. Large libraries and entire institutions have been displaced or destroyed. Meanwhile, funding for education and science has been drastically reduced—understandable, as a nation at war must prioritise survival. Sadly, many of our brightest minds are leaving in search of safety and stability. But even for those who stay, the pressure is immense. Daily life is filled with uncertainty. Mental health struggles—anxiety, depression, trauma—are part of the hidden cost of this war.
On top of that, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay connected with the international research community. Conferences are missed, projects are delayed, and partnerships are harder to maintain.
And yet, despite everything, young Ukrainian researchers persevere. They adapt. They find ways to collaborate online. They open new fields of study, tackling issues such as trauma recovery, cybersecurity, and the rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure. They refuse to give up.
Their courage is not only vital for Ukraine—it is an inspiration to the entire scientific world. We must support them, because when we invest in these young minds, we are investing in the future. A future where science and humanity prevail over destruction.”
Viktoriia Borshch, Doctor of Economic Sciences and Professor of Management in Healthcare at Odesa National Medical University further described the significant challenges facing Ukrainian universities during wartime, including the displacement of academics and students, loss of institutional continuity, limited research funding, and severe psychological stress. She emphasised that collaboration with international partners had opened new avenues for research.
Finally, three PhD students Oleksandr Shakhanov, Borys Bovsunovskyi and Daria Drobot each presented their ongoing research projects, offering insight into the resilience and continued academic ambition of PhD students at Odesa National Medical University.
Oleksandr Shakhanov gave a short presentation on A modern approach to the treatment of chronic wounds.
Borys Bovsunovskyi gave a short talk on Optimisation of bone canal formation technique in osteosynthesis.
Daria Drobot talked about Visfatin as a marker for the development of atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer in women with metabolic syndrome.
Ole Petersen warmly congratulated the three PhD students on their well-presented talks, including their excellent English.
Following the presentations, a brief discussion took place. Zaal Kokaia MAE offered a scientific writing course designed to help PhD students develop skills in writing abstracts, creating presentations, and designing posters. Martin Koltzenburg MAE raised the possibility of hosting visits, where students could learn practical techniques in clinical neurophysiology, if circumstances allow. Furthermore, it turned out that Simon Jones MAE had worked and published on Visfatin and would be happy to offer help and advice to Daria Drobot, who had talked about this substance.
Finally, Valeriia Marichereda took the opportunity to thank Academia Europaea and, specifically, Ole Petersen for taking the initiative to this help programme for Odesa National Medical University. It was important at many levels, both practically and as a crucial morale booster.
Petersen concluded the webinar meeting by thanking all presenters and discussants, but particularly the Ukrainian PhD students who had shown that, even under very adverse conditions, they were determined and able to pursue high-quality research. Odesa’s medical science community were an inspiration for all of us and deserved our strongest possible support.
Presentations
Next steps
We invite our Members to show their support by offering to mentor Ukraine’s next generation of medical professionals. If you are willing to help, please contact Juliet Davies AECardiffHub@cardiff.ac.uk, including a link to your online professional profile.
Our sincerest thanks to those who have already expressed interest.
Updated 19th May 2025. For more information contact AECardiffHub@cardiff.ac.uk
