From War to Wales: Teen Innovator Eyes Net Zero Future

Published: 17 November 2025 Monday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

When 13-year-old Kateryna fled Kyiv in the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she had no way of knowing how drastically her life was about to change. She left behind her home, her school, her friends, and the life she had imagined for herself. What she brought with her instead were fear, uncertainty, and a determination to survive. Today, at 16, she stands on the threshold of a future that not only promises academic brilliance, but could one day contribute to solving one of humanity’s greatest challenges—achieving global net zero.

The teenager, now living in Swansea, has become the first school pupil ever to complete an internship at Swansea University’s prestigious Centre of Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM). The internship programme is normally reserved for third-year undergraduates who have already completed extensive training in physics. Yet Kateryna, still in her A-level studies, not only qualified but excelled, drawing praise from senior academics who described her as “exceptional,” “brilliant,” and years ahead of her peers in intellectual maturity.

Her work focused on the frontier of solar space technology—high-efficiency semiconductors designed for satellites that orbit the Earth and capture sunlight continuously. These ultra-thin photovoltaic panels could one day beam clean energy back to Earth, helping countries meet ambitious net-zero targets without depending on weather patterns or daylight cycles. For Kateryna, who once spent months without a desk of her own, the idea that she is now contributing to research with global implications is still difficult to comprehend.

“It’s strange in a way,” she said, reflecting on her rapid transformation from refugee to researcher. “When I first came here, I didn’t have any space to study. I didn’t know if I’d be able to continue with science the way I wanted. But now I’m working with scientists and studying materials that have to survive extreme temperatures in space. Sometimes I still can’t believe it.”

Kateryna arrived in Wales in 2022, alongside her mother, Olena, and her grandmother, also named Kateryna. Like thousands of Ukrainians who escaped the invasion, they came through humanitarian routes set up jointly by the UK and Welsh governments. Their first home in Britain was a hotel room in Swansea—a small, temporary space that became their world for 10 long months.

There was no private study corner, no quiet desk, no separation between rest and work. For a child who had spent her early years answering complex maths questions for fun, adapting to hotel living was painful.

“I didn’t have the space to think clearly,” she recalled. “Studying was very hard because you’re in one room with two other people all the time. You can’t concentrate; you can’t spread out your books. It was difficult, but somehow we kept going.”

Finding a permanent flat shortly before her GCSE exams changed everything. With a bedroom of her own and a desk where she could study late into the evening, Kateryna’s academic talents blossomed. She went on to achieve top grades and was soon recommended for the CISM internship.

At Swansea University, Kateryna stepped into a world where cutting-edge research meets industrial innovation. Her internship focused on semiconductors used in space-based solar panels—technology with the potential to reshape how the world produces energy.

Unlike traditional solar panels made from silicon, which are heavy and limited by Earth’s climate and rotation, the space-based model captures sunlight continuously. Positioned in orbit, such panels can remain in full sunlight almost 24 hours a day, generating large amounts of energy that can be transmitted to receiving stations on the ground.

Dr ****** Gregory Burwell, a senior lecturer in the physics department and one of Kateryna’s mentors, stressed the importance of her research. “The challenge,” he explained, “is that satellites must endure extreme heat when facing the sun and extreme cold when shielded behind the Earth. Semiconductors must continue to function efficiently despite this.”

Kateryna was tasked with examining how thin-film photovoltaic materials behave under these fluctuating conditions. While most school pupils her age are studying basic principles of physics, she was handling equipment and problems typically assigned to advanced undergraduates.

“Kateryna’s achievements demonstrate what is possible when talented students are given access to advanced facilities and the right mentoring,” Dr Burwell said. “Her work on photovoltaics in space is highly relevant to future energy systems. This internship was the first of its kind, and she set the bar extremely high.”

Kateryna’s ambitions stretch far beyond photovoltaic research. She dreams of becoming a theoretical physicist, following in the footsteps of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. She often jokes that school feels “quite easy” compared to her university internship.

She has begun A-levels in further mathematics, mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, as well as the Welsh baccalaureate. It is an exceptionally demanding workload, yet one she approaches with enthusiasm.

“Physics explains everything,” she said. “I love the challenge of trying to understand the world through equations and theories. It’s like solving a huge puzzle.”

Despite her love for Wales, she admits she is uncertain about where she will study next. Although she would like to apply to Oxford or Cambridge, she is also considering universities in Germany or Austria due to the rising tensions around refugees and immigration in Britain.

“I’ve been very fortunate not to face direct hostility,” she said. “But when you hear discussions about deportations or ending support for Ukrainian refugees, it is worrying. I need stability for my future, especially in science.”

Kateryna’s journey unfolds at a time when Ukraine continues to suffer damage to its infrastructure, especially its power grid. Russian attacks on energy facilities have left thousands without electricity, heating, or running water. As winter approaches, the humanitarian strain is increasing.

“Many people don’t realise how hard it has become,” she said. “Towns are without water, without gas. Many families have had to evacuate again because the front lines are too dangerous. Help is still needed, and it is important to talk about it.”

Her comments come as volunteers in Wales prepare hundreds of Christmas parcels for Ukrainian hospitals, orphanages, and refugee centres. The resilience of Welsh communities continues to leave a deep impression on Kateryna and her family.

Her mother, Olena, said she remains profoundly grateful. “Wales gave us safety when we needed it the most,” she said. “The people here are kind. They helped us find food, a home, an education. Seeing my daughter succeed like this brings me happiness every single day.”

What lies ahead for Kateryna is uncertain but full of possibility. Her research at CISM will now be studied further by older undergraduates, and she hopes one day to contribute to real-world satellite projects. She wants to help design the next generation of space technology—advancing the world’s ability to produce clean energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

From a cramped hotel room to the laboratory halls of Swansea University, her journey shows how resilience, opportunity, and education can transform a life. Her work may one day help power cities, support climate goals, and bring the world closer to a sustainable future.