The Fulbright Program in Ukraine
is pleased to announce that Kateryna Zhalnina
has been awarded the prestigious International Fulbright Science and Technology Award.
With the support of a 2009 International Fulbright Science and Technology Award, Kateryna will be pursuing doctoral study at The University of Florida.
Kateryna Zhalnina graduated from the Biology Department, Kharkiv National University in July, 2005, and achieved a Master’s degree with Honors in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, with a major in Microbiology. She presented results of her research at several scientific conferences dedicated to drug production and environmental safety.
In 2006 she started working as a research assistant at the Laboratory of Soil Microbiology in O.N. Sokolovskiy National Scientific Center of Soil Science and Agrochemistry Research in Kharkiv, Ukraine. In the Laboratory she participated in several research projects such as studying the impact of microorganisms on soil fertility; development of methodology using biological parameters to evaluate environmental factors, such as pollution as a result of human activity, irrigation, application of mineral fertilizers that affect agro-ecosystems; measurement of efficiency of soil microflora and their influence on agro-ecosystem productivity using biological agents.
Her current research targets application of soil bacteria in agricultural practices in order to improve crop yields and quality by introducing bacteria species into environment-friendly, sustainable management practices. Microorganisms have an immense potential as natural agents to enhance plant nutrition and defend against plant diseases and may replace traditional practices of chemical fertilization and herbicide treatment of crops. This will help to grow healthier and cheaper organic products as well as significantly reduce anthropogenic pressure on environment.