The Russian invasion of Ukraine impacted science in both countries substantially, prompting the Weizmann Institute to offer 25 student-scientists the opportunity to continue their work in Israel. Through their stories, we see the resilience, tenacity, and national pride of the Ukrainian people.
Illia Bilinskyi adjusts to life and work in Israel
Illia Bilinskyi arrived on campus shortly after the war erupted in early 2022. Having earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in physics at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Illia now works in Prof. Alexander Milov’s Heavy Ion Physics Lab. Prof. Milov’s group focuses on one of the most exciting physics discoveries of the last decade, a newly-identified state of matter called Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) – the material that existed when the universe was formed.
Illia appreciates the help adjusting to life in Israel. “I was provided with an apartment in good condition that had everything I needed, [and] I was instructed on how to settle in, how to obtain a student ID, and how to get my visa,” he says. Illia is still adapting to the cultural differences, but has made a few friends. Other than the oppressively hot summers, he is enjoying his time in Israel.
Marharyta Skovorodka agrees that the Israeli climate has been an adjustment, but since arriving from Ukraine, she has taken up the locals’ passion for hiking to experience the country’s natural beauty.
Marharyta Skovorodka hopes to help revive science in Ukraine
Initially, Marharyta was hosted in the lab of Prof. Rotem Sorek, and after enrolling as an MSc student, she completed her first rotation in the Department of Systems Immunology. Currently, she works with Prof. Daniel Dar in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, where she studies host-pathogen interactions, the mechanisms that determine how hosts evade and combat infection, and the mechanism of the pathogen invasion itself.
Marharyta plans to pursue a PhD in either microbiome research or marine biology. She hopes to return to Ukraine someday to help revive science there.
Like Illia, Marharyta appreciates the Institute’s help in handling visas and medical coverage, and support from professors and mentors. “The administration supported me through the process of leaving Ukraine… which wasn’t an easy task in terms of coordination and safety issues,” she says.
The emotional needs of incoming Ukrainian students were also taken into consideration. “The administration really thought about the mental health [of participants]... We had sessions with psychologists and help was available to manage whatever emotions we were experiencing regarding the war,” Maharyta says.
Attempts to hold the Russian government accountable had an unfortunate result – isolating many Russian scientists who now struggle to find funding. Younger scientists especially, like PhD student Diana Golovanova and cell biologist Tatiana Smirnova, had to find opportunities elsewhere.
Russian scientists find a “place to grow”
“I arrived with a family, which means a husband, two daughters, two dogs, and two cats,” Tatiana says. “I am at the very beginning of my journey in Israel, and I am already in love with Rehovot [and] the gardens in Mahon.”
Originally categorized as a visiting scientist at the Institute in 2022, Tatiana was invited to join the Cell Observatory’s permanent staff in April of this year. The unit provides services in the field of advanced optical imaging and image analysis, so Tatiana’s graduate-level work in optical microscopy made her a perfect addition to the team.
Prof. Binghai Yan in the Department of Condensed Matter Physics became Diana Golovanova’s supervisor, helping her settle into her new surroundings with “constant support and patience.”
“The situation [in Russia] makes it challenging to pursue research and obtain access to global advancements in the field,” Diana says. She is grateful for the Institute's “outstanding opportunities for growth and scientific discourse.” Explaining her decision to continue at Weizmann in the immediate future, Diana says, “I cannot imagine a better place to grow.”
Diana, Tatiana, and dozens of Ukrainian students, like Illia and Marharyta, found a haven for their scientific pursuits at the Weizmann Institute, where the long journey to rebuild Ukraine's science sector has already begun.
Ukrainian molecular biologist, educator, and policymaker Dr. Nataliya Shulga shared her thoughts about rebuilding Ukraine, hoping future leaders will “understand that supporting education and science is not an unnecessary cost, but rather an invaluable investment in human capital and the future of the country.”
