Ilya graduated from Frankston High School in 2019 before completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Major in Chemistry) and Diploma of Liberal Arts (Major in History). Along the way he received several scholarships as well as being involved in academic mentoring. Ilya is now a Haematology Research Assistant at Monash Health. This role sees him working as part of the Monash Health Haematology Clinical Trials Unit that runs up to 70 clinical trials in all aspects of haematology, focusing on malignant as well as haemostasis/thrombosis trials. His work is to effectively and efficiently manage the data relating to the multiple studies active within the team.

Ilya came back to school in 2024 during Science Week to speak to students about his career.