Pavlo Plotko

International Scientific Affairs at the DZA, coordinating astronomical activities with Ukraine. High-energy astrophysicist with a keen interest in outreach and bouldering.

Young Scientists’ Conference on Astronomy and Space Physics (Ukraine)

Ukraine’s premier international conference for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students and young postdocs — its Local Organizing Committee consists solely of students. I first took part in 2013 with a poster, joined the LOC the next year, became secretary in 2018, and chair of the High-Energy Astrophysics section in 2021.

  • Chair, High-Energy Astrophysics section · 2021 – Present
  • Local Organizing Committee · 2014 – Present
  • Secretary, Local Organizing Committee · 2018 – 2020

Ukrainian International Cosmic Ray Day (2022 & 2023)

Hosted with DESY (2022, 2023) and the Pierre Auger Observatory (2023) for Ukrainian school students. 2022: 4 mentors, 16 participants. 2023: 5 mentors, 20 participants.

Astronomy Battles Tournament — AstroSandbox

A nationwide Ukrainian astronomy competition for high-school and undergraduate students (official website). I liaise with German sponsors, help organize the event, and serve as a judge.

DESY Ukraine Summer School 2024 & Winter School 2023

Organizer of both schools, which bring Ukrainian students to DESY for research projects, lectures, and mentoring.

Workshop “Presentation of Scientific Results” (2021)

Main organizer of a lecture series helping Ukrainian astronomy students improve their presentation and writing skills; one lecture was integrated into the DESY Ukraine Winter School.

School and public engagement

  • DZA stand, German Consulate General Open Day — VR tour of the planned Low Seismic Lab and family activities · Wrocław, Poland · 30/05/2026
  • “Astronomical Express” — talk on cosmic rays for a student-founded online lecture series · online · 04/2025
  • ZukunftsStation Weißwasser — radio-astronomy project day for grade 7–8 pupils, with Station Weißwasser e. V. · Weißwasser, Germany · 25/02/2025

Judge committee

  • International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics · Ukraine · 2022 – Present
  • Astronomy Battles Tournament, AstroSandbox · Ukraine · 2021 – Present
  • Experimental Physics Olympiad for school students · Ukraine · 2014 – 2021

Event organization support

  • Laboratory Practicum in Vacuum Physics, DESY (tutor for Ukrainian school students)
  • Universe on Tour 2023, Munich
  • APPEC Town Meeting 2022 (chair of roundtables)
  • NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2018 (230 participants)
  • Global Hack Weekend 2018 (1,300 participants)
  • Data Scientarium 2017 (300 participants)
  • X Reality Hack 2017 (600 participants)
  • IT Forum Kyiv 2016 (200 participants)
  • Web Standards Days Kyiv 2016 (200 participants)
  • Media Hack Weekend 2016 (700 participants)