Kseniia Minakova, a scientist of NTU «KhPI», ambassador of the Foundation «Optica» (USA), member of the Hand-on Science Network community, and science popularizer, made a working trip to the United States of America. For several weeks, she visited Tulane University (New Orleans city), the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh city) and the country’s leading research centers. The scientist of Kharkiv Polytechnic took part in the conference «Frontiers in Optics Laser Science», held lectures and, together with her American colleagues, received research samples of solar cells in the laboratory of one of the universities. She brought them back to NTU «KhPI» for further research. In addition, Kseniia Minakova co-organized a charity event at Tulane University, the money raised from which will go to help Ukraine. During the event, she held a press conference and screened the Ukrainian documentary «20 Days in Mariupol», which was filmed by journalists during the first days of the city’s occupation by russian troops.
Kseniia Minakova, associate professor of the department of physics at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Computer Modeling, Applied Physics and Mathematics of NTU «KhPI», candidate of physical-mathematical sciences, made a working trip to the USA. She visited Tulane University (New Orleans city), the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh city) and the country’s leading research centers. As a representative of Optica Ambassador, she spoke at the conference «Frontiers in Optics Laser Science» (FiO+LS 2023) in New Orleans. She presented her research work and discussed a wide range of issues in the field of optics and photonics with her American colleagues. She also took part in special events, including the Amplify Optics Immersion program for students and the Student Leadership Experience, which brings together young people from around the world
During 4 days, with the support of Denys Bondar, a representative of Tulane University, the scientist of NTU «KhPI» held lectures and working meetings at the university and, together with American scientists, received research samples of solar cells in the laboratory. In the future, she will study them at NTU «KhPI».
Kseniia Minakova also held a press conference and became one of the organizers of a charity event, the funds from which will be used to help Ukraine. During the events, the documentary film «20 Days in Mariupol» was screened, the material for which was collected by journalists who witnessed the terrible events of the first days of the russia’s occupation of the city. The scientist of the NTU «KhPI» shared her personal feelings and thoughts about the war of the russian federation against Ukraine, told the audience about the history of her native Kharkiv Polytechnic.
At the University of Pittsburgh, associate professor Kseniia Minakova presented a joint research project and discussed with scientists of the higher educational institutions opportunities for cooperation in the field of physics and the search for new scientific collaborations. She also met with a member of the Pittsburgh Quantum Institute, professor Serhii Frolov, and held an open lecture on «Navigation in science in times of war». This visit opened new perspectives for scientific cooperation and interaction between NTU «KhPI» and the University of Pittsburgh in the field of quantum science.
The cultural program of Kseniia Minakova’s visit to the United States of America was also interesting and rich. She visited the Pittsburgh Botanical garden and the local Museum of History. Its expositions on natural phenomena and the development of life on the Earth inspired the Kharkiv Polytechnic scientist to further research in her own field.
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Kseniia Minakova, associate professor of the department of physics at NTU «KhPI», is the ambassador of the «Optica» Foundation (USA), a member of the Hand-on Science Network community and a world-famous science popularizer. Her research focuses on theoretical calculations and modeling of thermophysical processes in solar batteries. She is also actively working to attract, train, and develop women and youth in STEM education.
Tulane University is a private research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. It is a member of the Association of American universities. According to the international QS World University Rankings, it is among the top 600 best universities in the world and among the top 490 independent university rankings of Times Higher Education (THE). More than 10 thousand students study at the university.
The University of Pittsburgh is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1787 and is one of the oldest in the country. The university is a member of the Association of American Universities. According to the international ranking QS World University Rankings, the university is among the top 300 best universities in the world. The University of Pittsburgh is considered one of the best in the arts and humanities, engineering and technology, life sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and management. The university has almost 30 thousand students.