'Science Is Akin to Creativity, as It Requires Constantly Generating Ideas'

Olga Buivolova investigates post-stroke language impairments and aims to ensure that scientific breakthroughs reach those who need them. In this interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, she spoke about the unique Russian Aphasia Test and helping people with aphasia, and about her place of power in Skhodnensky district.

Why I decided to pursue science

Initially, I planned to become a teacher of Russian language and literature. I pursued my studies, but once I started teaching at a school, I quickly realised that this profession was not for me, and I would not be able to continue in it. This realisation came during a teaching internship in my final year of university, leaving me somewhat confused about what to do next.

I have always been fascinated by how things work in the human body, in particular how our brains function. I enrolled in a master's program at HSE University, where I saw term paper topics on speech pathology, specifically how language function is impaired in individuals after a stroke. I found this a fascinating field at the intersection of linguistics, which I had been studying, and psychology, which I had wanted to study as a child. I thought that by taking this path, perhaps I could make a difference by helping people recover from strokes.

This was my first impulse to pursue science. My primary desire was to engage in work that would benefit people. And only later did I discover that linguistics is not only about the theoretical aspects of language, but also about the brain's functioning and its connection to language production.

The subject of my research

Since 2016, I have been studying speech pathologies in adults and currently lead research in the area related to post-stroke impairments. On one hand, we conduct theoretical studies, examining the brain mechanisms responsible for language production. Understanding how language function is disrupted after a stroke allows us to draw conclusions about its normal functioning.

On the other hand, what excites me personally is that we have generated numerous solutions tailored specifically for practical clinical application. We have been developing tools for diagnosing language, memory, and attention disorders. We are also developing therapy protocols focused on restoring language function after a stroke. These protocols include behavioural programmes, where a speech and language therapist engages with a person without additional interventions, as well as protocols involving various types of brain stimulation.

The Russian Aphasia Test stands as one of our centre's major developments. It is a unique tool that enables assessment across all language domains, from phonology (sound processing) to discourse (text generation and comprehension).

We have developed a comprehensive diagnostic battery, allowing us to examine all aspects in great detail. It comprises over ten tasks, and for each task, we search for a neuronal correlate by correlating the test scores with the results of scanning the affected areas of the brain. This approach allows us to map the brain regions associated with behavioural disorders. We examine it at both the level of grey matter and the level of white matter. I am preparing for publication a large paper featuring neuroimaging data obtained using MRI.

What makes me proud

I am proud that during my doctoral studies, my colleagues and I have successfully adapted two diagnostic tests. I participated in the development of the Russian Aphasia Test that I mentioned earlier. Currently, we are working to implement it into clinical practice. This is a novel tool that was previously unavailable but much needed; everything used for assessments until now was developed in the 1980s and 1990s. Moreover, these earlier tests were not standardised, there was no uniform testing procedure. Consequently, researchers could not rely on the results of these tests to assess the dynamics of recovery.

The new test battery is available as a tablet application—there is no other tool like it not only in Russia but anywhere in the world. This achievement makes us proud. We consistently discuss it at conferences and in meetings with speech and language therapists from many regions. The test took more than a decade to be developed. We are currently collaborating with the Centre for Speech Pathology and Neurorehabilitation to conduct clinical testing of the battery. I hope that when we complete all of this, it will be implemented into practice, allowing people to use it. It is currently at the stage of preparation for upload to RuStore.

My dream

I have always wanted my work to benefit people. Perhaps my biggest dream is for all our solutions to reach the end user. For practitioners in clinics to listen to scientists, and for scientists listen to practitioners. For potentially related fields, such as speech and language therapy and psycho- and neurolinguistics, to interact with one another. And for the world of science to be accessible to laypeople, allowing them to benefit from its achievements.

I would like to facilitate communication between scientists and the general public to raise awareness about stroke and its consequences. While the symptoms of stroke are relatively well-known, aphasia, a language impairment often resulting from stroke, remains largely unfamiliar to the general public, except those who have experienced it. Colleagues at our centre even created special cards so that individuals who find it difficult to communicate, eg in a store, can show a card indicating that they have speech impairment resulting from a stroke. This can facilitate communication and promote greater tolerance among people.

A typical day

Six months ago, I took up dancing. Now, my day looks like this: I wake up, go to work, attend my dancing class, return home, go to bed. Before that, most of my days were like this: home, work, home. At times, I used to have the feeling that I did not need to leave work at all, as there would always be something for me to do.

How I deal with burnout

The higher you climb the scientific ladder, the greater your responsibilities become. Currently, I teach, manage projects, supervise interns and doctoral students, and oversee term papers, theses, and grants. There is a lot of bureaucracy. Making time for your own ideas and research is a struggle. I wish there were more time left for them. The only way to cope with burnout is by reminding yourself that work is not your entire life; there are also friends, family, and interests outside of work.

At the same time, I really love what I do and wouldn't mind spending billions of hours on it. I believe if I didn't enjoy it, I would have left a long time ago. I am comforted by the thought that I am doing all this for a purpose. At the School of Linguistics, my colleagues and I teach the track on psycho- and neurolinguistics. Second- and third-year students who are interested attend our classes. It brings me great joy to see their interest, and I do my best to share our developments with them. Seeing students in your class who are truly engaged sparks your own enthusiasm.

This is hard work, but it doesn't feel like drudgery. Well, yes, there are lots of reports to file. But we are getting closer to understanding how our brain works, and that is incredibly fascinating. When asked about my work, I can talk at length, and it can be hard to stop me.

What I have been reading lately

I recently read Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen, and currently, I am reading 1913: The Year Before the Storm by Florian Illies. The latter book details the cultural life and political events worldwide in 1913, at the junction of epochs.

Advice for aspiring scientists

Don't give up when faced with difficulties, because there will inevitably be challenges, and many of them. And don't be afraid of mistakes, because they will happen too. Don't perceive these mistakes as the end of the world. Don't take them personally, as if you are a bad scientist or a bad person just because you made a mistake. This is from my personal experience. You begin, you undertake something serious to work on, you make a mistake—and it may feel like it's all over. Don't be afraid to try, and don't be afraid to make mistakes, because that is how we all learn. By addressing these mistakes, we can learn a lot not only about the world but also about ourselves.

My favourite place in Moscow

I really love Skhodnensky district in the north-west of Moscow. There is a park across the river from the North River Terminal. For some reason, this park is a place of power for me. I rarely go there, but when I do, I feel relaxed, calm, and at ease.