Anastasiya Stakhanska

Anastasiya Stakhanska is a dental medicine student at the Medical University of Graz and Ternopil State Medical University, with a lifelong passion for science and education. Raised in a family of healthcare professionals spanning four generations, her path into medicine was both natural and deeply personal.

From an early age, Anastasiya distinguished herself through active participation in STEM olympiads and as a member of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (JASU). Her commitment culminated in two award-winning research projects on diabetes,

• The Study of the Sugar-Lowering Activity of Yakon
• Study of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of biologically active substances of phenolic nature of underground organs of Sanguisorba officinalis L

earning her national recognition and the prestigious Presidential Scholarship of Ukraine in 2019. She proudly represented Ukraine internationally at ESI 2018 in Mexico and CASTIC 2019 in Macau.

That same year, she led a student workshop on diabetes and prevention for teenagers aged 14–17, sparking their interest in science and health. This early foray into science communication laid the foundation for her continued engagement in education and outreach.

At the Medical University of Graz, Anastasiya served as a team leader for the Hands-On Team at the International Student Congress, where she coordinated over 40 workshops. Her outstanding leadership and organizational skills were recognized with two university honors.

With a strong foundation in both clinical training and research, Anastasiya is particularly interested in stem cell therapy in dentistry, as well as innovations in orthodontic and orthognathic surgery. She aims to bridge patient care with scientific advancement, while continuing to inspire the next generation of scientists.

In April 2025, she was awarded the IV-STEM Scholarship for High Potentials from Ukraine. As part of the program, she will lead a course on Medicine and STEM for high school students in Graz—continuing her mission to make science education engaging, accessible, and impactful.