Head of the Department of Nuclear Physics since 2000 (born 1962), Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology (2000), and expert of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA, Vienna) in the field of technical cooperation.

His scientific interests include fundamental research in nuclear physics, in particular the study of nuclear reactions involving neutrons, protons, and gamma quanta at low and intermediate energies in the entrance channel. Notably, I.M. Kadenko was the first in the world to observe the formation of a particle consisting of two neutrons in a bound state—i.e., the dineutron nucleus. Currently, this rare but extremely important physical phenomenon is undergoing independent verification.

His research also focuses on the analysis of deep inelastic and other high-energy physics processes aimed at discovering new states and particles resulting from proton, electron, and positron collisions.

I.M. Kadenko has led and participated in the execution of hundreds of projects aimed at enhancing the level of nuclear and radiation safety of nuclear power units, assessing the structural integrity and reliability of reactor equipment at VVER-440 and VVER-1000 nuclear power plants.

In the field of medical and applied nuclear physics, he has completed and is planning further work on ensuring radiation safety during the operation of radiosurgery and positron emission tomography (PET) centers, safe handling of radioactive waste, production of medical isotopes, and the development of new nuclear alternative energy sources.

He is the author and co-author of more than 350 publications, over 170 of which are indexed in international databases such as INSPIRE and SCOPUS. He has supervised eight PhD candidates and one Doctor of Science.