.png)
From an early age Olesya Kharenko was drawn to discovery. At just five years old, she knew she was destined for a life in science. Her curiosity pushed her beyond the classroom, leading her to join a local botany group and take part in chemistry competitions which helped shape her scientific journey.
“I always wanted to be playing with microscopes, and I was always growing weird stuff like little plants,” said Kharenko. “It was always so natural to me, I always knew I wanted to be a scientist.”
Kharenko has played a variety of roles in the life sciences sector. Her professional journey began when she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry. She then went on to receive a PhD in Biochemistry while studying in Ohio.
After completing her studies Kharenko was offered a fellowship working with the National Sciences Engineering Research Council and relocated to Saskatchewan. She was eager to accept this opportunity and felt drawn to Canada because of the mountains and the hiking opportunities.
“I always wanted to come to Canada, and I was lucky to have a very unique opportunity in Saskatoon,” she said.
Through this position, she found a passion for cancer research.
“I had my personal motivations because my mom had breast cancer and my dad had a different type of cancer and I wanted to know as much as possible,” she explained.
She began leading research and development in the formulation of therapies that target cancer.
Now, Kharenko has shifted to studying cancer detection in an attempt to identify cancer before it needs such extensive intervention. She leads research and development as the principal scientist for Syantra.
“This is all focused on improving people’s quality of life. That’s a really important objective for me to know that I am doing this for a good cause,” said Kharenko.
She enjoys the trial-and-error process and acknowledges that there is more than one solution when it comes to treating conditions such as cancer.
“Science is not always a yes or no answer. Cancer is complex, it mutates and it’s not enough to keep beating the same disease with the same therapies,” she explained.
Kharenko is grateful to work in an environment that fosters collaboration and provides the opportunity to learn from other scientists working towards different objectives. She enjoys seeing this community grow in Calgary.
Kharenko seeks inspiration from those working alongside her.
“I do appreciate an open mind and the growth of creativity. I find bits and pieces of inspiration in various individuals and that doesn’t have to be scientific,” she said.
Her day-to-day routine is grounded in strong teamwork and genuine passion, and she stresses the need to confront challenges and innovate collectively.
“My favorite part of the day is the whole day because I have a great team. Interacting and having discussions is always very fun and motivating,” said Kharenko.
Giving advice to aspiring scientists, Kharenko emphasizes the importance of curiosity. She advises them to keep an open mind, read scientific literature, and to never give up hope.
“You just need to be persistent and love what you are doing,” she shared.