Viktoriia Kamska, Ph.D

Dr. Viktoriia Kamska is a multidisciplinary researcher and wildlife science artist specializing in the intersection of biological coloration, structural mechanics, and environmental interaction. Her current postdoctoral work at the City University of Hong Kong focuses on the coloration mechanisms in blue sharks, exploring how the architectural arrangement of nanoscale structural components—considering their optical properties—produces vivid camouflages, including a vibrant blue. Her research enhances her understanding of shark biology and offers insights into bio-inspired materials. Dr. Kamska's academic journey began in her native city, Odesa, Ukraine, where she earned her first Master's in genetics and molecular biology. She further developed her expertise through the MEME Erasmus Mundus double-degree Master's program in Evolutionary Biology. She earned her second Master's at Uppsala University for her work on the evolutionary aquatic to terrestrial locomotion transition of the Devonian fish Hyneria. Her third Master's from Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich explored the 3D anatomy of the world's smallest known frogs. At the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart, Germany, Dr. Kamska pursued her doctoral research, delving into the neuroethology and biomechanics of birds. Her project uncovered potential additional mechanosensory functions of the lumbosacral organ (LSO) in birds, contributing to their agility and locomotion. Throughout her career, Dr. Kamska has embraced the synergy of art and science, viewing them as complementary tools that enrich her research and public engagement. Her innovative, cross-disciplinary approach helps her uncover non-trivial solutions to complex challenges, using her artistic vision combined with rigorous scientific methods to explore enigmatic structures in nature.