6 June 2025

Winners of the “Nuclear Innovators”-2025 Competition Announced

The winners of the 2025 “Nuclear Innovators” competition for scientific projects in the field of nuclear science, energy, and industry have been determined.

Winners of the competition:

Applied Development Category
Roman Hlushenkov, Leading Engineer at SE NNEGC “Energoatom”, with the project:
“Development of an alternative approach to using CR drives for managing the power distribution in VVER-1000 reactors.”

Scientific Research Category
Anton Kozlov, SE NNEGC “Energoatom” (CSFSF), Shift Supervisor for Physical Protection, with the project:
“Integrated methodology for assessing the vulnerability of physical protection systems at nuclear facilities based on probabilistic safety analysis and behavioral models of the human factor.”

This competition, designed for industry professionals wishing to share their developments and research, exchange ideas and experience, was held for the third time by the Ukrainian Nuclear Society in cooperation with the Council of Young Scientists of the Department of Physical and Technical Problems of Power Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Council of Young Scientists of the Department of Nuclear Physics and Energy of the NAS of Ukraine, with the support of leading companies from the nuclear and related sectors — Energoatom and the Energy Safety Group.

The event also received significant support from international partners, including the American Nuclear Society, MIT CANES – Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Cameco Corporation.

This year, new partners joined the initiative — IPP Center and the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN).

A total of nine applications were submitted by representatives of:

  • Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology (KIPT),
  • V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University,
  • National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”,
  • Ukrainian State University of Science and Technology,
  • “Atomprojectengineering” branch of Energoatom,
    and other structural units of SE NNEGC “Energoatom”.
    The “Scientific Research” category included three projects, while six were submitted in the “Applied Development” category.

To participate, applicants submitted summaries and video presentations of their projects. The final stage was held online on May 22, 2025, in the format of public presentations and a Q&A session with the jury.

In addition to the winners — Roman Hlushenkov and Anton Kozlov — the following experts took part in the competition, representing Ukraine’s leading enterprises and scientific institutions:
Ivan Yakymenko (Karazin University),
Inna Afanasieva (KIPT),
Serhii Surovytskyi (NTU “KhPI”),
Mykhailo Bortnik and Oleksandr Haran,
Vladyslav Komyshnyi (Atomprojectengineering branch, SE NNEGC “Energoatom”),
Vladyslav Kovba and Varvara Safronova (Ukrainian State University of Science and Technology),
Valeriia Pyliuk (NTU “KhPI”).

The competition jury included

  • Volodymyr Borysenko, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Head of the Nuclear Energy Department at the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants of the NAS of Ukraine
  • Oleksandr Mazurok, PhD, General Director of Energy Safety Group (ES Group)
  • Valerii Zuiok, Senior Researcher, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Scientific and Technical Complex, KIPT
  • Andrii Bohdan, Head of Expertise and Life Extension Department, IPP Center
  • Oleksii Chumachenko, PhD, Development Director, Westron LLC
  • Ms. Kateryna Piliuhina, Programme Manager / Head of Nuclear Safeguards and Security, ENEN
  • Mr. Evaldas Zemolochinas, P.Eng., Project Manager, Cameco Corporation
  • Mr. Jacopo Buongiorno, Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Director of CANES, MIT, with Prof. Curtis Smith and Dr. Eric Forrest
  • Mr. Seth Grae, American Nuclear Society, President and CEO of Lightbridge Corporation, with Dr. Kyle M. Paaren, Senior Fuels Engineer, Nuclear Technology Division, Lightbridge Corporation

After reviewing the projects, the jury provided expert comments and recommendations for improvement, taking into account current challenges and the evolving needs of the Ukrainian and global nuclear sectors. They encouraged participants to continue developing innovative solutions, technologies, and approaches to contribute to the advancement of nuclear science, energy, and industry.

The winners of the competition will receive cash prizes from the organizers and partners, as well as support for implementing or scaling their projects. All participants will receive incentive awards.

The Ukrainian Nuclear Society is proud to serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas, promotion of innovation, and creation of new partnerships in the nuclear sector. We are confident that each project presented in the “Nuclear Innovators” competition reveals new opportunities for the development of nuclear energy, industry, and science.

We congratulate all participants and winners and invite nuclear innovators to join future competitions organized by the Ukrainian Nuclear Society and its partners!