Olga Zubkova

Dr Olga Zubkova

Russian-born Dr Olga Zubkova has been with IRL for 17 years. The Senior Research Scientist completed her PhD in chemistry at Rostov University and was appointed to a research scientist role at the Institute of Organic Chemistry in Rostov in 1991.  Three years later, she moved to New Zealand with her husband and young son.

Since joining IRL, Dr Zubkova has been involved with numerous research and commercial projects and is currently leading the “Novel clusters of Heparan Sulfate” project.  Her field of expertise is the synthesis of sulfated GAGs (glycosaminoglycans) – Chondroitin Sulfates and Heparan Sulfates (HSs) as well as the design and synthesis of HS glycomimetics and dendritic clusters.  She is particularly interested in the potential of HSs to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Compounds synthesized by her team at IRL have been evaluated in a model for treatment of the disease and are showing promising results.

Photography is one of Dr Zubkova’s passions outside work. She takes pictures of beautiful skies and cloud formations and, since moving to the Kapiti Coast four years ago, of the birds, lagoons, rivers and sunsets the region is famous for. Some of her photographs can be viewed at www.metvuw.com. Dr Zubkova says: “My husband and I have been enjoying mountain-biking along Waikanae river and growing roses – we have 30 rose varieties in our garden.”