Honoring the memory of Professor Melania Shcheglova: the path of a scientist, defender and teacher
On May 7, 2025, a meeting was held at the Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology (Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology) within the framework of the Creative Path of a Scientist project. This time, the event was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding scientist, Professor Melania Dmytrivna Shcheglova.
The host of the event, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemical Technologies of Ceramics, Glass and Biomedical Materials Yaroslava Koltsova, told about how the path of the future professor began. At the age of 16, having assigned herself a year, Melania Shcheglova went to the front, where she participated in the battles on the Kursk Bulge, the crossing of the Dnieper, the liberation of Ivano-Frankivsk, the Carpathians and the Czech Republic. She celebrated Victory Day in Prague. For her courage and bravery, she was awarded the Medal “For Courage”, the Order of the Red Star and the Order of Glory, 3rd degree.
After the war, Melania Dmitrievna devoted her life to science, becoming one of the founders of the Department of Silicate Technology, now the Department of Chemical Technologies of Ceramics, Glass and Biomedical Materials. The Head of the Department, Professor Olexandr Zaichuk, spoke about the significance of Shcheglova’s scientific developments in the field of glass and sitals. It was under her leadership that associate professors S.I. Maksimovich, I.M. Dvornichenko, O.P. Suslova, O.V. Nosenko and others began their research.
Professors Viktor Holeus and Olga Ryzhova, Associate Professor Svitlana Naumenko and Laboratory Head Varvara Titova also mentioned Melania Shcheglova’s professional path and personal qualities. They drew attention to her significant contribution to the creation of slag shale and aventurine glass technology, as well as to her support of young scientists. Over the years of her scientific activity, Shcheglova has published 112 articles, received 22 author’s certificates and prepared 10 candidates of sciences.
It was very pleasant that Iryna Sergiyevna, Melania Dmytrivna’s daughter, and Serhiy Matsenko, the professor’s last graduate student, attended the meeting. With words of warmth and gratitude, he remembered his scientific supervisor, emphasizing her invaluable contribution to the development of the department and the university as a whole.
On the eve of May 8 – the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism – those present remembered Melania Shcheglova not only as a scientist, but also as a person who went through the war, defending her homeland and the lives of her fellow citizens. Her story is a reminder of the strength of the human spirit and dedication to her cause, which leaves an unforgettable mark in the hearts of generations.
