Mykhailo Khytko, a solar energy scientist and father of two-year-old Mark, shows that achieving balance between demanding scientific work and parenthood is possible. This year, he was one of the recipients of the prestigious Martina Roeselová Memorial Fellowship, which helps young scientists continue cutting-edge research while parenting.
Originally from Dnipro, Ukraine, he works at the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences while studying at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University. His work focuses on the use of perovskites in solar energy, using advanced atomic force microscopy methods. He is also involved in the design of industrial-scale photovoltaic systems and is developing a meteorological test station for analysing the performance of solar panels.
In addition, Mykhailo is working on his biggest challenge in life – raising his son Mark. “It's my most important project,” he says with a smile. Balancing his intense scientific work with parenthood is not easy, but the Martina Roeselová Memorial Fellowship has provided him with support that allows him to combine both roles more effectively.
"Successfully combining science and parenting is the dream of many, but only the most determined will achieve it," says Barbara Eignerová, chair of the board of the IOCB Tech Foundation, which awards the fellowship. The fellowship is designed to help young scientists in childcare to continue their research without losing touch with the world of science.
Mykhail's story inspires not only colleagues in science, but also parents struggling to balance professional ambitions and family life. He shows that science can take place not only in laboratories but also in the playground.
Martina Roeselová Memorial Fellowship commemorates the internationally renowned scientist Martina Roeselová from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS, where it was also established. It has been awarded since 2016 and 35 young scientists from a number of Czech universities and research institutions have received it so far. The scholarship in the amount of CZK 150,000 is awarded to postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows actively working in the field of natural sciences at universities and non-university research institutes in the Czech Republic who are also caring for a child of preschool age. The financial support is intended to cover childcare services so that scientists at the beginning of parenthood can continue to study or research and not lose contact with world science.