KSE Foundation, through its grant program Talents for Ukraine, recognizes professionals who, in their work, implement scientific and practical innovations that contribute to the development of key sectors in Ukraine. This week’s winners include a researcher of materials for the aerospace industry, a popularizer of robotics and STEM education, and a physician introducing advanced approaches in maxillofacial surgery.
Ihor Shtablavyi is a professor at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv with over 20 years of research experience in disordered systems physics and materials science. He develops alloys for aerospace applications and for their synthesis additive manufacturing (3D printing, selective laser melting), combining experimental approaches with computational modelling. He collaborates with scientific centres in Poland, Germany, Slovakia, and Austria. He was a co-organizer of two laboratories: for quantum materials research and for engaging students in science with the Lviv Academy of Sciences.
“A lesson for me is that one should never leave unfinished matters behind,” Ihor notes.
Yurii Ulianytskyi is the founder of the LvivRoboKids club and an ambassador of Roborobo educational robotics in Ukraine. He develops original robotics programs and prepares school students for national and international competitions. In 2025, спільно з компанією «СТЕМ-клас» he organized the all-Ukrainian robotics Olympiad «Roborobo Olympiad 2025,» one of the largest thematic events of the year in Ukraine. He ensured the first participation of Ukrainian school students in the International Programming Robot Challenge (IPRC) in South Korea (Suwon). He actively promotes STEM education and international cooperation in the field of educational robotics.
“My biggest competitor is my yesterday self. It motivates me and gives me strength to compete,” Yurii says.
Andrii Hresko is a maxillofacial surgeon and a veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He is currently completing a one-year fellowship at a leading European center for maxillofacial surgery under the supervision of Prof. Gwen Swennen. He has experience as a combat medic in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Lysychansk, Kherson region, Bakhmut, Kupiansk). He specializes in orthognathic surgery and 3D virtual surgical planning and participates in an international research project on digital modelling of surgical procedures. His work focuses on implementing modern surgical protocols and advancing digital technologies in maxillofacial surgery.
“Forget the word «motivation» — it is secondary. Success requires daily work and faith in what you do,” Andrii comments.
