From a Village in Lori to the Frontier of Modern Science

Growing up in Odzun, Nare Petrosyan was fascinated by animals from an early age. Over time, that curiosity grew into a passion for biology, and today she is studying the field at Yerevan State University.

“I wanted to understand how nature works, especially the anatomy of living organisms at the microscopic level,” Nare says. As a school student, she began collecting and studying beetles, butterflies, and other insects.

Her interest in science has been accompanied by a curiosity to explore other fields. At the COAF Youredjian SMART Center, Nare had the opportunity to try different activities, discover new interests, and develop skills beyond her academic studies. She participated in around ten SMART programs, which helped her become a more confident communicator and a stronger team player.

“SMART gave me the opportunity to discover my hidden talents, improve my communication skills, and learn how to work better as part of a team.”

Science is not Nare’s only passion. Both of her parents are artists, so art has been a natural part of her life since childhood. For the past three years, Nare and her sister, Vergine, have participated in the “Vahe and Lucy” competition, receiving awards in different categories.

Nare used one of her prize winnings to buy a plane ticket to Estonia, where she continued her studies for a semester at the University of Tartu.

“Studying at the University of Tartu for one semester was not only an important academic experience, but also a valuable personal one. Living and studying abroad taught me to be more independent.”

Looking ahead, Nare hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Japan. She is particularly interested in tissue engineering and the possibility of growing tissues from stem cells in laboratory conditions. She is also fascinated by research into how cancer develops and how scientists can find new ways to fight the disease.

For Nare, science and art may seem like two different worlds, but both have been an important part of her journey—one driven by curiosity, creativity, and a desire to keep discovering what is possible.