From August 24 to 28, 2025, the 21st Congress of the European Society for Photobiology was held at the Polytechnic University of Bari (Bari, Italy) - one of the most prestigious international scientific forums, which once every two years brings together leading researchers from around the world to present the results of innovative research in the field of photobiology, photoprotection, photochemistry and related sciences. This year, over 500 participants from different countries around the world took part, including well-known scientists, professors and postgraduate students from various universities, as well as representatives of scientific centers and business. The program of the event was very rich and included numerous plenary sessions, oral and poster presentations, and interdisciplinary discussions. The main focus was on phototherapy, photoprotective technologies, mechanisms of photoaging and phototoxicity, nanomaterials research, as well as the development of effective strategies to combat cancer. A special highlight of the event was a lecture by Nobel Prize laureate, american neurobiologist, professor Martin Chalfie.
Postgraduate student of the Department of Industrial Pharmacy of the KNUTD, researcher of the Educational and Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Chemogenomics and Biogerontology (MPCB Lab) Viktoriia LYZHNIUK was the only representative from Ukraine at this congress. On August 25, she successfully delivered an oral report “Carbon quantum dots as the latest component of sunscreen products to protect the skin from blue light”, presenting the results of work on the prospects for using carbon quantum dots in sunscreen cosmetic products to improve their photoprotective properties, in particular, increasing the effectiveness of protection against blue light and increasing the SPF.
The Congress organizers highly appreciated Viktoriia's scientific work, awarding the talented Ukrainian scientist a fellowships from the European Society of Photobiology. This is a confirmation of the high level of research conducted and their contribution to the development of relevant areas in the field of photoprotection and photobiology.
Viktoriia is an active participant in the student scientific clubs "Pharmtechnolog" (scientific supervisor Dr. of Technical Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Industrial Pharmacy Volodymyr BESSARABOV) and "Pharmacon" (scientific supervisor Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial Pharmacy Galyna KUZMINA), within the framework of which experimental research is conducted aimed at developing innovative technologies for medicines and sunscreen cosmetic products. Part of the results of the research carried out while working in the scientific circles were included in her report at the congress.
As part of her participation in the 21st Congress of the European Society of Photobiology, Viktoriia not only gained valuable experience and became familiar with advanced scientific developments, modern methodological approaches, and current global trends in the field of photobiology and photoprotective technologies, but also established new professional contacts for further scientific cooperation.
The acquired knowledge and experience will be integrated into the scientific activities of the laboratory and used to implement new research projects in student scientific circles.
The staff of the Department of Industrial Pharmacy of the KNUTD is extremely proud of its postgraduate students, who worthily represent the university at the international level. We sincerely appreciate each of their achievements and believe in new victories.
07.09.2025
