On April 15-17, 2026, the International Science Security Workshop for Ukrainian Life Scientists was held in Kraków (Poland), dedicated to issues of scientific security in the life sciences.
The event was attended by representatives of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National Universitу, Professor Maria Bayliak, Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, and Maria Lylik, Ph.D., Head of the Educational and Research Laboratory of the same department.
The workshop was organized by Health Security Partners (HSP) with support from the Office of Threat Reduction (CTR) of the U.S. Department of State. The event brought together Ukrainian scientists to discuss current challenges in the field of biosecurity and cybersecurity in scientific research.
The main objective of the workshop was to raise awareness of contemporary risks in scientific activities, specifically:
- cyber-biosecurity,
- internal threats,
- dual-use research issues,
- and risks associated with international cooperation and data exchange.
Participants gained practical skills in identifying and mitigating risks in laboratory work, data management, partner interactions, and the use of digital systems. Significant attention was devoted to issues of scientific data protection, ensuring research integrity, and countering cyber threats, which are increasingly targeting scientific institutions.
The program included interactive sessions, analysis of real-world cases, simulation of cyber-biological security incidents, and the development of response strategies. Participants also worked on mapping risks in laboratory processes and developing effective approaches to managing them. The training program was led by international experts, including crisis managers from the Australian company Sention (executive manager Dan Shields and Dr. Rebecca Hoile), as well as Julie Fisher (a biosafety specialist from the United States), who addressed issues related to information risks, research safety, and responsible scientific collaboration.
The event also featured presentations by Yuliana-Zukh Kiprianova, a representative of the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation, and Professor Oksana Kashyntseva, who discussed the prospects for legal regulation of the use of artificial intelligence and the legal protection of intellectual property in science.
Particular emphasis was placed on protecting high-value scientific data, including research results, genomic data, dual-use materials, and intellectual property relevant to biosecurity and national security.
Participation in the event facilitated the establishment of international professional contacts and the creation of a network of cooperation between Ukrainian and international experts in the field of scientific security.
