2026 Finalists
Top Brain Scientists of Ukraine 2026!
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Iaroslava Burtseva I became interested in neuroscience through biology Olympiads. The more I learned about the brain, memory, and stress, the more I realized that this is exactly what fascinates me. When I heard about Brain Bee, I knew I had to try it—it is a wonderful opportunity to test my knowledge and learn even more. I plan to use neuroscience as the foundation for my own project and, in the future, to pursue a career in medicine. |
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Ielyzaveta Holokolosova I have always been fascinated by how the human brain and body function. Since Grade 8, I have regularly participated in Biology Olympiads, earning 1st places at the city level and 2nd places at the regional level each year. I became aware of the Ukrainian Brain Bee last year, and this year I was finally able to take part in the competition. My academic interests are strongly interdisciplinary. While I have significant achievements in the humanities and linguistics, I also actively explore connections between different fields of knowledge such as environmental history, neurobiology, language, and politics, among others. I am particularly amazed by how neuroscience can explain historical development and law. I plan to pursue a career in law or diplomacy, and I believe that understanding the functioning of the human brain is essential for interpreting human behavior, decision-making, and communication in these fields. For me, neuroscience is a key to understanding how we interact with the world as humans, and I believe it influences every sphere - from art history to engineering. |
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Sofiia Hurieva For me, neuroscience is not just another discipline, but a continuation of a journey I have been on for several years. My fascination with biology began with the very first lesson when the subject was introduced to the school curriculum, and since then, my interest has only grown. Driven by a desire to gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and humanity, I test my knowledge every year in biology and chemistry Olympiads. Today, I see my goal even more clearly: I aspire to become a doctor. I truly believe that the combination of my passion for science and hard work will allow me to succeed in medicine and help people. After all, when you have been pursuing what you love since childhood, there is simply no other way :) |
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Veronika Mashtaler My fascination with biology began back in the 5th grade, from the moment the subject first appeared in the school curriculum. I am most interested in human anatomy and physiology. In particular, the study of how the brain and nervous system function struck me with its complexity and perfection. That is exactly why I decided to join the Brain Bee competition without hesitation. I strive to continue deepening my knowledge and developing further in this field. |
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Anastasiia Merkulenko While planning to dedicate my life to a career in law, I decided to explore different fields of science to make sure it was truly the right path for me. That’s why I started studying various branches of biology — from ornithology to dentistry — until I discovered neuroscience. And that’s when something amazing happened. This subject freed me from the urge to endlessly scroll and made me spend hours absorbed in books, eager to uncover all the secrets and possibilities of the human brain. It also inspired me to share what I learn with new friends and my family. This is my first year participating, and I hope to connect my future career with neuroscience. |
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Mariia Momot I am fascinated by neuroscience because I want to know how our brain works. I explore its capabilities through my own experience: I play the guitar and study English, training my memory and concentration. I believe that understanding our brain changes our worldview, helps us learn better, and allows us to develop our talents. |
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Veronika Rybchak Biology has been my main interest for a long time. I participate in Olympiads(in 2025 I got first place in the national stage of the Biology Olympiad), practice in a lab, I am a member of a couple of biology clubs. Although I am curious about many fields in this science, the most captivating for me have always been anatomy and physiology. And the more complex the study, the greater the potenital for discoveries - here I mean neurobiology. The way our brain functions, especially cognitive processes and the phenomenon of consciousness, astonishes me. I deem neurobiology very promising in terms of practical applications. Even now, there are bionic prostheses and brain chips. Furthermore, different methods of treatment for previously incurable illnesses are currently being developed. |
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Oleh Rybchak Even though I had been interested in biology only from the 8th grade - being mainly focused on math before that, I had quickly understood it was meant to be my future field of study. After taking part in the National Biology Olympiad, I started attending lab extracurriculars, doing self-study, enrolling in courses in order to deepen my knowledge. Achievements have always propelled me forward to tackle even harder problems. Being a multiple-time participant and winner in the Biology Olympiad has inspired me to seek more depth in what I study and that’s exactly what neuroscience provided; it also became my favorite. Understanding how things work and discovering more truth about this world through competitions such as BrainBee is what drives me forward. |
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Nadiia Shpyrok Four years ago, I barely scraped by with a "C" in chemistry, but recently my GPA reached nearly 11 (out of 12). Between these two points lies a multitude of Junior Academy of Sciences research papers and personal projects that first showed me that learning could be about something real. It was through this experience that the natural sciences stopped being just school subjects and became the force that helped me choose my future career path. And right now, as I stand at a crossroads, the Brain Bee is a vital step for me in making my final decision. |
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Anna Iakovenko Neurobiology caught my interest because it helps us understand how the brain works and why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. I am fascinated by the idea that all our emotions, decisions, and even creativity have a biological basis. For me, neuroscience is a way to gain a deeper understanding of humanity and myself, as well as to unlock new opportunities for future development. |
