What if we could unlock the secrets of cancer through Artificial Intelligence? Maryna Chepeleva, a PhD candidate in Bioinformatics at the University of Luxembourg, is working to do just that. Recently, her groundbreaking research has earned her a prestigious place in the Women in AI (WAI) Awards, making her the first-ever winner from Luxembourg.
From AI Award to role model
Maryna’s path to recognition started when she was nominated for the AI Young Professional category at the Women in AI Awards. This category celebrates women early in their careers who have made extraordinary contributions to AI, and Maryna’s work in applying AI to cancer research quickly set her apart.
Her journey continued at the WAI Summit in Amsterdam, where she spoke passionately about her research and the importance of amplifying diverse voices in the AI field. Soon after, Maryna was selected as one of the top three nominees, and in February 2025, she was named the winner of the AI Young Professional award. This achievement not only made her Luxembourg’s first-ever winner award, but she also solidified her place as an inspiration to others in AI and beyond.
As part of this recognition, Maryna will be featured in the Equals 2025 Role Model Campaign during International Women’s Month in March. This will allow her to further highlight her contributions to AI and serve as an inspiration for other girls and women.
‟ “Winning this award is an incredible honour and a truly unforgettable moment. It was an emotional experience – it truly felt like standing on the Oscars stage! This recognition highlights the importance of our research in advancing the understanding of cancer, and I hope my journey inspires more women to pursue careers in AI and use technology to solve real-world challenges.” ”
PhD student
Innovative research at the intersection of AI and cancer
At the University of Luxembourg, Maryna is part of the Systems and Molecular Biomedicine doctoral programme. She is doing her PhD within the Multiomics Data Science Research group, where her work is focused on developing computational tools to address some of the most complex challenges in cancer research. By combining AI with multi-omics data analysis, Maryna is uncovering critical insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive cancer, with a particular focus on understanding drug resistance in melanoma.
One of her key innovations is the development of the consICA R/Bioconductor package, a tool that helps researchers analyse complex biological data in a way that reveals hidden patterns and associations. This tool is empowering scientists to identify biomarkers and develop more effective cancer treatments.
A vision for AI-Driven personalised medicine
For Maryna, AI is not just about data analysis — it’s about transforming the future of medicine. Through her research, she is working to harness the power of AI to create personalised treatment strategies that can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. By integrating multi-omics data, Maryna’s work is making it possible to identify key molecular features of diseases, paving the way for more targeted and effective therapies.
As Maryna continues to break new ground in the field of AI-driven cancer research, her work stands as a powerful symbol of innovation and possibility. By merging cutting-edge technology with a deep commitment to improving patient care, she is not only deepening our understanding of cancer but also shaping the future of personalised medicine. As she continues to lead the way, Maryna is a true role model for the next generation of women and girls in AI, inspiring them to explore the intersection of technology and healthcare.
