During his 2026 BridgeUSA Ukraine Program for Resilience and Reconstruction (BridgeUSA UPRR) fellowship at Oregon State University, Dr. Sergiy Utevsky of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University engaged in research, teaching, and professional exchange activities focused on evolutionary biology, biodiversity, and molecular methods for environmental monitoring. Working closely with Dr. Michael D. Burns and colleagues in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Dr. Utevsky delivered guest lectures on biological systematics and the environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine, providing Oregon State faculty and students with valuable international perspectives on biodiversity science, environmental resilience, and higher education during times of crisis.
The fellowship fostered meaningful academic exchange through collaborative field research across Oregon, including activities in the Willamette River Basin and Yaquina Bay. These experiences supported comparative biodiversity studies and strengthened scientific cooperation between American and Ukrainian researchers. Notably, specimens collected during fieldwork may represent a previously undescribed species and genus, creating exciting opportunities for continued joint research and contributions to global biodiversity knowledge.
Beyond field research, Dr. Utevsky collaborated with Oregon State University faculty on topics including DNA barcoding, molecular phylogenetics, environmental monitoring, and freshwater biodiversity. Discussions throughout the fellowship identified opportunities for future cooperation through joint research projects, publications, virtual guest lectures, student engagement, and collaborative grant proposals.
Drawing on lessons learned in Oregon, Dr. Utevsky has already incorporated new teaching materials and approaches into courses at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, while continuing discussions with Oregon State colleagues about future academic collaboration.
Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Utevsky noted: “I regard my fellowship at Oregon State University not as an isolated academic visit but as a starting point for longer-term cooperation between Oregon State University and V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.”