Yuliya Orlova

I’m originally from Ukraine and hold a PhD in material science. My career took me to Japan, where I worked in bioengineering at leading universities until 2014. I moved to Sweden to support my family and build a new chapter. For years, I explored different paths, searching for my purpose and how I could make a meaningful impact in my new country. In 2022, I applied to the European Space Agency’s astronaut program. Passing two selection rounds became a turning point — it made me realise that, no matter where life took me, my mission was to use science and innovation to serve people and the planet. That insight led to the creation of dSUM AB and my commitment to tackling food waste through upcycling and education.