This fall, the University of Arkansas welcomed two exceptional Agricultural Technologies Fellows through the BridgeUSA Ukraine Program for Resilience and Reconstruction (BridgeUSA UPRR). Dr. Mariia Galaburda of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and Dr. Ruslana Stavetska of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University are engaging in academic exchange, collaborative research, professional study visits, and cultural experiences that strengthen ties between Ukrainian and U.S. agricultural communities. Through academic exchange and collaborative engagement, the fellows contribute their expertise in animal science, breeding, and agricultural education while learning from American partners. Their participation enriches the University of Arkansas community by providing global perspectives on agricultural research and education, fostering new professional connections, and creating opportunities for future international collaboration that benefit both U.S. and Ukrainian institutions.
Introducing the 2026 University of Arkansas Fellows
Dr. Mariia Galaburda – National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
Dr. Mariia Galaburda’s academic work focuses on animal science and agricultural research, with a particular interest in approaches that support the development of animal production and agricultural education. During her fellowship at the University of Arkansas, she is gaining practical insights into American agricultural research, livestock production, and educational practices that can contribute to knowledge exchange and future application in Ukraine.
Dr. Ruslana Stavetska – Bila Tserkva National Agrarian UniversityDr. Ruslana Stavetska – Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University
Dr. Ruslana Stavetska’s professional interests center on animal science, breeding, and agricultural education. During her fellowship at the University of Arkansas, she is engaging with American approaches to poultry and livestock research, including modern approaches to breeding and animal preparation, while exploring practices and perspectives that can be shared and adapted within Ukrainian academic and agricultural contexts.
Fellowship experience
At the University of Arkansas, Dr. Galaburda and Dr. Stavetska are gaining hands-on experience through research, laboratory work, and engagement with leading agricultural programs. So far, their fellowship experiences have included enriching time at the University of Arkansas Poultry Science Department, work in a genetics laboratory, where materials were prepared for studying gene expression in broiler chickens and a study visit to an American livestock farm, owned by award-winning farmers, where the fellows learned about the breeding, preparation, and presentation of high-quality beef cattle and sheep for competitions.
These activities create opportunities for knowledge exchange between Ukrainian and American agricultural specialists, allowing University of Arkansas researchers, students, and industry partners to engage with Ukrainian perspectives and expertise on animal science and agricultural education. The relationships developed through the fellowship will lead to future collaborations, joint research initiatives, and sustained institutional partnerships.
Exploring culture and building intercultural connections
Beyond their academic work, Dr. Mariia Galaburda and Dr. Ruslana Stavetska are actively exploring American culture and community life through visits to museums, cultural sites, and local events. At the same time, the fellows proudly share Ukrainian culture and traditions, and engage in conversations about life and higher education in Ukraine during the ongoing full-scale war. These conversations provide U.S. students, faculty, and community members with a deeper understanding of Ukraine while fostering cross-cultural understanding and strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.
BridgeUSA Ukraine Program for Resilience and Reconstruction (BridgeUSA UPRR) is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv with additional funding provided by U.S. host institutions and administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.