Professor from the USA Shared Secrets of Success with TNMU Researchers

Professor and in the recent past the Head of the Department of Applied Medical Sciences of the School of Nursing and Health Professions of Murray State University (Kentucky, USA) Michael Kalinski visited TNMU on June 6, 2024.

At the ceremony of conferring the title of Honorary Doctor of Medical Sciences at Ternopil National Medical University (2017).

Michael Kalinski has worked at universities in the USA for several decades. A Fulbright professor, renowned in global scientific circles, and author of several monographs and textbooks, this Ukrainian patriot presented a lecture titled “The Activities of US Universities Through the Eyes of a Ukrainian Professor. What to Adopt and Implement in Ukraine?” in a discussion format.

The meeting was moderated by the Head of the Department of Physiology, Bioethics and Biosafety, TNMU Professor Stepan Vadziuk. The researchers first met in 2011 in Cleveland during a business trip.

Michael Kalinski, also an Honorary Doctor of Sciences of M. Drahomanov National Pedagogical University (2019), during the conferment of this title at Bukovyna State Medical University (2008).

Honorary Professor of TNMU Michael Kalinski met with the academic staff of our university in the lecture hall of the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems. Many interested participants were also able to join the meeting online.

At the meeting at TNMU – Professor Michael Kalinski, Assoc. Professor Roman Shmata, Professor Stepan Vadzyuk.

Many sincerely interested employees of Ternopil National Medical University came to this unique event.

At the meeting at TNMU.

The scientific achievements and life journey of the esteemed Professor Michael Kalinski are impressive. While still in his second year at Kyiv University, he received an offer for future admission to post-graduate school. Passionate about biochemistry, the energetic young man with an unwavering smile confidently paved his way in the domestic academic field. He eventually graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Kyiv State Institute of Physical Culture. He earned his Ph.D. from the Kyiv State Research Institute of Endocrinology and his Doctor of Sciences degree from the Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. From 1972 to 1990, he served as the Head of the Department of Biochemistry at Kyiv State Institute of Physical Culture. Between 1998 and 2013, he was a professor at Kent State University in Ohio, USA. In 2007, he received the prestigious Fulbright Award in the field of biological sciences, and since 2013, he has worked as the Head of the Department of Applied Medical Sciences at the School of Nursing and Health Professionals at Murray State University.

Professor Michael Kalinski spoke about his life experience in an easy, engaging, and direct manner. His friendship and professional connection with the late professor of our university, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Yaroslav Honskyi, culminated in the publication of their joint work “Human Biochemistry.”

Michael Kalinski’s contributions also include “Muscle Biochemistry,” “Myocardial Biochemistry,” and other significant scientific works, with a total number of publications exceeding 200.

Printed works by Professor Michael Kalinski.

The story about the approval of the cover of one of his books, already published in the USA, turned out to be interesting – Professor was sure that his photo of a Greek sculpture better reflected the content of the book. Also, Michael Kalinski specially made it at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Head of the Department of Physiology, Bioethics and Biosafety Stepan Vadzyuk and Professor Michael Kalinski.

When asked who inspired such tireless constant work, he mentions his mother, a teacher of the Ukrainian language. Yefrosynia Atanazevych instilled in her son a love of reading, brought home from the library both classics of Ukrainian literature and translations from English and French. Since his school years, Michael Kalinski was fascinated by the possibility of depicting the processes of the human body in the form of formulas and, in the end, having an irresistible research interest, wanting to get to the bottom of the truth – which atoms form the basis of life, he chose his future profession.

As a student, Michael Kalinski successfully combined university studies with fencing, pistol shooting, and equestrian sports. A special passion that remained with him for the rest of his life was his passion for sports dancing. The secret of such a harmonious combination of activities is considered by the professor to be a competent allocation of time and resources.

In his youth, Professor Michael Kalinski performed with a folk-dance group on the stages of France, Germany, Poland, as well as in Asian countries (Syria and Jordan).

A member of the Horlytsia dance group.

At the ballroom dance competition in Kyiv (1986).

Upon arrival in the USA, Michael Kalinski’s new path began. He had to acquire an image, show his skills and continue his scientific work, in fact, ab ovo. Despite the fact that his research was recognized and widely known in Ukraine and abroad (it was published in the journals of the Academy of Sciences, “Questions of Medical Chemistry” etc., reported at numerous conferences) – his gains abroad required new confirmations!

Professor shared interesting generalizations. In general, his path in America can be conditionally divided into My Road to University and My Road to Tenure. For example, fighting for the opportunity to become a full-time professor, Michael Kalinski sent his first resume to one of the universities in the United States. However, he received a refusal – on a beautifully packaged postcard… However, at that time, 241 doctors of science submitted documents to the competition. Perhaps another person would have given up, but the stubborn Ukrainian continued to apply to other departments and educational institutions. After all, in another competitive case, a dream victory over the native 32 American applicants brightened one of his mornings.

As the professor shared, it was not possible to rest on one’s laurels. It was necessary to regularly participate in conferences, to publish at least 2 scientific articles per year. Given how quickly scientific research is published abroad, the prospect of waiting 2-3 years could put one in a stupor. But not Michael Kalinski… Each episode covered by the respected professor once again proved his incredible capacity for work.

Among the criteria for a successful career of a scientist in the USA is not only the level of command of the English language, the ability to work with graduate students or doctoral students, or to obtain grants. It is necessary to learn to perceive the mentality of the new environment. Therefore, constant work, a cold analysis of not only failures, but also successes are the key to Road to Tenure.

At the same time, Professor Michael Kalinski is a very positive person. When asked where he has so much energy for life, he shared: “I have been to France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, India with reports and lectures…” And then he stunned the listeners, continuing: “…at the European Scientific Congress in Barcelona (Spain) at the request of the organizers, I performed with the champion of Spain in ballroom dancing”! Obviously, this is what the multifaceted success of a harmonious, successful and happy person should look like. First of all, who knows how to appreciate what he has.

Professor Michael Kalinski was awarded in 2014 the scientific prize of Professor S.R. Maitra Memorial Oration Award of Physiological Society of India. Also, this year, he was awarded the Silver Medal and Citation of the Association of Physiologists of India.

At the end of the meeting, Professor Stepan Vadzyuk asked the guest how students interact with teachers. Professor Michael Kalinski answered: “I myself was once a Ukrainian student, and I am sure that future generations will find a way to become happy and successful! For the sake of those who gave their lives so that they could continue their studies.” He also added that foreign students are extremely motivated, since high school they consult with their parents about admission to a particular educational institution and, God forbid, use additional means of information during the exam. Yes, students in the USA have quite a lot of influence on the educational process at the university, but also the level of trust in them and the requirements – as employees. If you want to learn, do everything yourself! Grades are not particularly monitored during the year, but final testing at the end of each semester ticks all the boxes.

Michael Kalinski concluded that there is no more beautiful and life-giving place in the world than Ukraine when you are abroad… And that is why the professor returned home.

The information was provided by Nataliya Volotovska, Associate Professor of the Department of Physiology, Bioethics and Biosafety.