I’ve always wanted to study the human brain, but coming from a bioinformatics background, I needed a place where I could actually learn how to record and analyze brain signals. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to study in the Life Sciences program (Neurobiology and Neurorehabilitation track) and work in the Laboratory of Brain-Computer interfaces of the Neuro Center. It gave me exactly this kind of hands-on experience. What I especially liked was the flexibility in choosing courses: it helped me gradually shift my focus toward neuroscience and build a strong interdisciplinary background. I think adding more dedicated neuroscience courses would make the program even stronger.

The Skoltech Life Sciences master's program equips you with everything needed to excel in scientific research or technological entrepreneurship: project-based learning, a flexible curriculum, renowned faculty, and hands-on innovation courses. What I love most about Skoltech is its inspiring, supportive community — where you can find research collaborators or startup soulmates among colleagues, and seek advice from any faculty member, who will always help. During my master's and PhD studies at Skoltech, I discovered my passion at the intersection of biology and entrepreneurship. Skoltech's activities and mentorship from its professors enabled me to grow as an innovator and launch a biotech startup with a team of my Skoltech colleagues.

I’ve earned my Bachelor degree at small Biotechnology faculty at MSU. Since Skoltech education system is very different from the classic Russian university, I was nervous that it would be difficult to adapt. But Life Sciences program's faculty and administration were very kind and supportive, that defined my experience at Skoltech. 

The master's program provided variety of experiences (wet biology, entrepreneurship, bioinformatics), and after my gap year I felt like it was something very exciting and new rather than return to the familiar disciplines. The program's faculty is a small community, and it feels like professors are interested in their own work and in you “winning”.