Latest news with #Sofiia
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Wicklow student honoured for ingenious app that helps people manage diabetes
St Mary's College in Arklow student Sofiia Shevchuk with Dahab Sharaby (Teen-Turn Lead Mentor) at the Technovation Ireland Regional Pitch Event at AMD in Dublin. Photo: Robbie Reynolds Photography Sofiia Shevchuk, a third year student from St Mary's College in Arklow, received the award for her outstanding work in developing an app, SweetHealth, which allows users to easily track blood sugar, meals, activity, and mood in one place through smart AI technology providing personalised advice based on each user's data. The app also includes features like barcode scanning for diabetes supplies and accessibility options for users with vision challenges. Fourteen-year-old Sofiia was one of 65 app enterprise projects pitching at the event, which formed part of the global Technovation competition. As a result, Sofiia will be presenting her app at the global semi-finalist round later this year. As Sofiia explained, she was inspired to create the app after noticing how often people, including herself, underestimate their sugar intake, noting that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the percentage of adults living with diabetes has doubled from 7pc in 1990 to 14pc in 2022. 'After learning about the health risks of excess sugar, I wanted to create a tool that would make it easier for everyone to keep tabs on what they're consuming,' Sofiia said. Teen-Turn, an Irish non-profit organisation that provides teen girls the opportunity to gain hands-on STEM experience and support to acquire qualifications and jobs, provided Sofiia with support in developing an app for the first time for Technovation. Through a 12-week programme, Sofiia, along with other participants, received guidance from industry and academic mentors, learning skills in market research, business planning, and coding, to develop her app. 'Every session felt so uplifting and inspiring, filled with hands-on activities, lively group discussions, and genuine encouragement,' Sofiia continued. 'The mentors were always helpful, especially Yuri from Microsoft, who provided clear guidance and practical advice whenever I faced technical challenges.' Reflecting on the experience, Sofiia says she is now considering a career in science and technology, adding: 'I discovered how much I enjoy problem-solving and using technology to make a real difference in people's lives. 'In fact, the experience inspired me so much that I now want to study medicine at Trinity College, because I believe that we should help those in need and use our skills to make a positive impact on the world. 'Looking back on the day, a highlight was seeing the other teams' projects. It was inspiring to witness so many creative ideas and to learn from the diverse approaches others took. Being part of such an innovative community was truly motivating. 'After finishing my pitch and answering the judges' questions, I felt a huge wave of relief. Their encouraging words and positive feedback left me feeling accomplished, grateful, and even more passionate about continuing with my project.' When asked about her plans for the future with the app, Sofiia says she plans to add new features to the app and reach more users. 'I'm also looking forward to participating in more TeenTurn events and collaborating with others on new projects, such as developing an app for pregnancy,' she said. 'Looking ahead, I hope to grow my company and work with national government organisations to help supply medication to those in developing countries, because I believe everyone deserves access to essential healthcare. The experience has opened up so many opportunities, and I'm excited for what's next.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Separated by war: Ukrainian soldier reunited with daughter after release from Russian captivity
A Ukrainian soldier whose daughter was rescued from occupied territory in March 2025 was released from a Russian prison camp on the first day of a major prisoner-of-war (POW) swap in the thousand-for-thousand format. Source: Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliamentary) Commissioner for Human Rights, on Telegram Details: The soldier was captured more than three years ago, at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His 15-year-old daughter, Sofiia, was taken to Russia by her mother, who later returned with the child to temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory. The girl's grandmother, who had raised her from birth, appealed to Lubinets to secure her liberation. "All this time, the child lived in unbearable conditions," Lubinets said. "The struggle to bring her back was long and challenging." The grandmother gained custody of Sofiia, and in March 2025, the girl came back to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Sofia's father was freed from captivity on the first day of the major prisoner swap. For the first time in years, he heard the voices of his mother and daughter. Quote from Lubinets: "This is one of many stories of families torn apart by war. But these moments give us the strength to believe and fight on. We work to ensure every child and adult can come back to a free Ukraine and be reunited." Background: Ukrainska Pravda shared emotional stories of soldiers brought back on the first day of the large-scale POW exchange. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two children of Kyiv doctor among people killed in Russian attack on Kyiv
Russian forces launched a combined attack on Kyiv on the night of 23-24 April. The strikes have killed siblings, 21-year-old Nikita and 19-year-old Sofiia. Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Quote from Zelenskyy: "This morning, our country faced a new, large-scale Russian attack, with over 200 aerial targets: missiles, including ballistic ones, and kamikaze drones. Sadly, there is destruction and loss in our capital, in other cities, and in all regions of Ukraine. More than 80 people were injured in these strikes. A brother and sister are among the dead in Kyiv. The boy was 21 years old; the girl was 19." Details: Later, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU) clarified that the two people killed in the Russian attack were the son and daughter of Yaroslav Kozlov, a neurologist at the University Clinic of KNU. Nikita was a student at the National Transport University, while Sofiia had graduated from the Professional College of the Kyiv National University of Technology and Design. "The family of the Shevchenko University expresses its sincere condolences to Yaroslav Volodymyrovych [Kozlov]," a statement on the KNU website reads. Background: Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russian forces had launched 215 missiles, including ballistic ones, and drones on Ukraine on the night of 23-24 April. The main impact fell on Kyiv, damaging an entire residential area. The Russian attack has affected various regions, particularly Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia and Khmelnytskyi oblasts. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office reported that as of 11:00 on 24 April, eight people are confirmed to have been killed. The State Emergency Service noted that the remains of the ninth person, previously reported dead, are currently undergoing forensic examination. In total, 90 people were injured, with 44 being in hospital. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the Sviatoshynskyi district of Kyiv, where there are concerns that people may still be trapped under the rubble. Emergency workers and canine teams from the State Emergency Service are actively working at the scene. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Ukrainian cardiologist who fled to Devon close to finishing exams
A cardiologist who fled Ukraine with her daughter three years ago is nearing the end of exams that would allow her to practise in the Pinchuk, 39, fled Kyiv with her daughter seven-year-old Sofiia in March 2022 shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion Pinchuk was working as a cardiologist at two private hospitals in Kyiv when she made the decision to leave for her daughter's safety, first staying in Germany and then in Devon."A lot of buildings were destroyed and many people died. It was really scary being responsible for my child," she said. Dr Pinchuk said she packed money and important documents and drove to the stayed in Germany until June 2022 before a family in the UK invited them to stay at their home in about being a cardiologist in Kyiv, Dr Pinchuk said: "Every day of my life was devoted to medicine and to helping people."She said she had sat through three years' of exams that would allow her to practise in the UK, with her final exam set to be held in June. Dr Pinchuk said: "The system is tough and long. It takes around three years on average."Her first exam was the Occupational English Test, which she received support to help prepare for through free tutor sessions from Refugee Support charity said it had helped about 40 professionals from around the world, including doctors, vets, ophthalmologists and nurses, pass their occupational English Pinchuk thanked them for their support, as well as the family who opened their doors for herself and Soffia, who is now 10 and settled in school."They are very kind and generous and we are extremely grateful for what they have done for us," she said. Dr Pinchuk said "everything in Ukraine is very changeable and very unreliable"."We don't have any guarantees, and even if the events will stop for a while, we never know if the war will restart," she said."At the moment, it's unpredictable, we can't plan anything."
