Dr. Yevheniia Babenko

Research Vision

My research programme aims to establish Strong AI through biologically inspired architectures and to enable controlled, predictable biology via digital infrastructures. I envision a closed‑loop paradigm where distributed biosensor networks feed real‑time data into neuro‑symbolic AI systems, which in turn model and control biological processes — from plant stress responses to animal behaviour. I propose to create a distributed sensor‑based digital infrastructure for biological system modelling, integrating relational representations, Cognitive Interaction Layers for Neuro‑Symbolic AI, and the concept of a digital organism, to transform biology from a descriptive science into an engineering discipline.

My vision was ahead of its time. When I first proposed the integration of biosensors into wireless networks and control via expert systems in the late 2000s, these ideas were met with skepticism. Today, these concepts are recognized as essential for precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and digital biology. My early work on portable fluorimetry (2006–2008) and distributed sensor networks (2013–2016) laid the foundation for a research direction that has been developing at the V.M. Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics for almost two decades. The global network for automatic knowledge taking (UA 89025, 2014) was the first step toward what I now develop as cognitive AI architectures. This continuity of thought reflects my long-term commitment to building intelligent systems that truly understand and model complex biological and cognitive processes.

Key Scientific Contributions

Portable Fluorometer “Floratest” – first portable chlorophyll fluorescence device for vineyard stress diagnostics NASU Prize 2006
Patent UA 86679 – method for plant species identification using spectral data & machine learning
STCU Project #5219 (PI) – wireless intelligent biosensors for precision agriculture
STCU Project #6064 (PI) – distributed smart sensor network for environmental monitoring
Methodological Framework for information system design in crop production 2022
AI in behavioural studies – AI‑driven analysis of rodent addiction models ProfIT AI 2024
Synthesis of AI & sensors in behavioural research IJ ITA 2025
Cognitive Interaction Layers – novel neuro‑symbolic AI framework 2025 🔗 Workshop Programme
Digital Organism – a unifying model for AGI Preprints 2025
Abstract Biology – relational framework for controlled biology Preprints 2025

Awards & Honours

NASU Award for Young Scientists (2006)
NASU Young Scientist Research Prize (2013)
First Prize, Sikorsky Challenge (2013) – “Intelligent Sensor Technologies”
🔗 Competition details
Scholarships of the Cabinet of Ministers and President of Ukraine
Official profile at NAS of Ukraine

Patents (6)

Global network for automatic knowledge taking (UA 89025, 2014) 🔗 SIS
Method for identifying plant species (UA 86679, 2014) 🔗 SIS
Information method for logistics support (UA 86759, 2014) 🔗 SIS
Method of reducing unproductive consumption of soil moisture (UA 27131, 2007) 🔗 SIS
Method of determining physiological state of plants (UA 24908, 2007) 🔗 SIS
Process of determining drought resistance of plants (UA 20131, 2007) 🔗 SIS

Selected Publications

Babenko Y. Trends and innovations in modern agriculture: from fluorescent sensors to decision support systems. Academia Engineering, 2026. DOI
Babenko Y., Romanov V. Cognitive Interaction Layers for Neuro-Symbolic AI. ProfIT AI 2025, Liverpool, UK. PDF
Babenko Y. Bioinspired Models for Metaheuristic Optimization. TechRxiv, 2025. DOI
Babenko Y. The Path to Artificial General Intelligence Through the Concept of a Digital Organism. Preprints, 2025. DOI
Babenko Y. Abstract Biology: Toward a Relational Framework for Life. Preprints, 2025. DOI
Babenko Y., Romanov V. Intelligent Methods in Behavioral Studies on Animal Models. ProfIT AI 2024, Cambridge, MA, USA. PDF
Babenko Y. Modern Tools and Market Dynamics in Behavioral Research. IJ ITA, Vol. 32, Issue 2, pp. 146-176, 2025. DOI
Babenko Y. Edge Intelligent Biosensing Systems with Dual Optimization. ICISN 2025, Antalya, Türkiye. DOI

📄 Download full list of publications (PDF)

Key Research Projects & Recognition

Intelligent Sensor Network for Agriculture

Principal Investigator (2013–2016)

Development of a distributed sensor system for agricultural monitoring based on transdisciplinary approaches. The project was recognized as a winner of the NASU competition (2013).

Records: 0113U005411, 0214U003728, 0214U007955, 0214U007956, NASU Competition Entry 2013

Internet of Things Technologies Development

Project Team Member (2021–2023)

Development of IoT technologies for the food industry, crop production, and healthcare. Creation of new information technologies and methods for modeling smart systems for precision agriculture and environmental protection.

Records: 0225U002828, 0223U001691

Portable Fluorometer "Floratest"

Co-developer (2007)

Development of a portable fluorometer for express diagnostics of plant condition using the method of chlorophyll fluorescence induction.

NASU Prize for Young Scientists (2007) — for the best scientific work. 🔗 Competition entry
Winner of the All-Ukrainian competition "Invention – 2008" (Odesa region) for the patent "Method for determining the physiological state of plants by chlorophyll fluorescence induction". 📄 Article about the competition
This work laid the foundation for a scientific school in the field of biosensor systems for biological objects at the V.M. Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics of the NAS of Ukraine, which has been developing for almost 20 years.

Record: NASU Record 2007 | Patent UA 24908

PhD Thesis: Drought Resistance of Grapes

Author (2008)

Development and improvement of methods for assessing drought resistance of grape varieties and techniques for mitigating the effects of drought. Specialization: 06.01.08 - Viticulture.

Record: NRAT 0408U005612

Contact

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Official profile at NAS of Ukraine

Yevheniia Babenko