Olha Biriukova
Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Biotechnology
General Information
Date and place of birth: June 9, 1971; village of Oleksiivka, Kinel District, Samara Region, Russian Federation.
Education
1989–1994 — Studied at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; obtained a full higher education degree in Microbiology and qualified as a biologist-immunologist and teacher of biology and chemistry.
1994–1998 — Completed postgraduate studies at the Institute of Veterinary Medicine (UAAS) and the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics (UAAS).
2005 — Defended dissertation for the degree of Candidate of Agricultural Sciences (specialty 03.00.15 – Genetics) on the topic “Population-genetic monitoring of the gene pool of the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed.”
2010 — Awarded the academic rank of Senior Researcher in the field of Genetics.
2021 — Defended dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Sciences (specialty 06.02.01 – Animal Breeding and Selection) on the topic “Methodology for identifying animals of the desired type in dairy cattle breeding.”
Professional Experience
2001–2005 — Junior Researcher at the M.V. Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of the NAAS.
2005–2020 — Head of the Population Monitoring Laboratory at the M.V. Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of the NAAS.
2020 — Appointed Head of the Cattle Breeding Department at the M.V. Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of the NAAS.
2024 — Appointed Professor at the Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Biotechnology, Sumy National Agrarian University.
Core academic disciplines: Animal Genetics, Molecular Biology.
Research Work
Author of 98 scientific publications, including those in journals indexed in international scientometric databases and in specialized Ukrainian journals; co-author of monographs, catalogs, programs, guidelines, and methodological recommendations. Holds a utility model patent and a copyright registration certificate for a scientific work. Developed five national breeding programs for dairy cattle breeds and two programs for preserving the gene pool of local and endangered breeds in Ukraine. Co-author of eight breeding achievements involving the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed (the Bukovynian stud type and seven stud lines).
Two Candidate of Sciences dissertations have been successfully defended under her supervision; she currently supervises three postgraduate students.
Scientific Secretary of the Specialized Academic Council D 27.355.01, member of the Academic Council of the M.V. Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of the NAAS, and member of the editorial board of the Category B specialized journal Animal Breeding and Genetics: Interdepartmental Thematic Scientific Collection.
Guarantor of the Educational and Scientific Program H2 “Livestock Production.”
Scientific supervisor of Sub-program 2 “Breeding, evaluation of breeding value, and status of biodiversity in livestock production” within NAAS Targeted Scientific Program No. 31 “Genetic improvement of farm animals, their reproduction, and biodiversity conservation” (“Genetics, conservation, and reproduction of bioresources in livestock production”). Member of the Coordination and Methodological Council for the implementation of NAAS Targeted Scientific and Technical Program No. 31 “Genetics, Conservation, and Reproduction of Bioresources in Animal Husbandry.”
Engagement with Business; Grant, State-Funded and Contract Research
Head of NAAS research project 29.01.01.01.F “Investigating biological patterns of correlated variability and genetic determination of traits regarding productivity, conformation type, fertility, and the duration and efficiency of the productive lifespan of dairy cattle breeds in Ukraine” (State Registration No. 0116U000522; Priority Research Area No. 29). Implementation period: 2015–2020.
Head of NAAS research project 31.02.01.01.F “Investigating genetic patterns of inheritance and the formation of phenotypic and genotypic traits in dairy and dual-purpose (dairy-beef) cattle breeds under various selection methods” (State Registration No. 0121U108652; Priority Research Area No. 31). Implementation period: 2021–2025.
Participated in the execution of commercial contracts with the State Experimental Farms “Nyva,” “Khrystynivske,” and “Stepne.”
Professional Development / Academic Mobility
- Institute of Animal Science of the NAAS (2021).
- Institute of Pig Breeding and Agro-Industrial Production (2021).
- Institute of Agroecology and Nature Management (2022).
- V.Ya. Yuriev Institute of Plant Production of the NAAS (2022).
- P.I. Prokopovych National Scientific Center “Institute of Beekeeping” (2022).
- State Scientific Institution “Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical Expertise and Information” (2023).
- V.Ya. Yuriev Institute of Plant Production of the NAAS — “Formation, maintenance, and effective use of plant genetic resource collections” (2024).
- Institute of Pig Breeding and Agro-Industrial Production — “Innovations in pig production technology. Molecular-genetic technologies in pig breeding” (2024).
- International scientific internship “Modern Animal Care: Challenges for Education and Science,” University of Agriculture in Krakow (URK), Poland (2024).
Membership in Civic Associations
Volunteer with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.
Awards and Distinctions
- President of Ukraine Award for Young Scientists (2006); Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Scholarship holder (2004–2005).
- Certificate of Honor from the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (2016).
- Certificates of Honor from the M.V. Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of the NAAS (2015, 2016, 2017).
Additional Information
Member of the Expert Council under the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
Reviewer for the international scientific journal Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database.
