"I will vote Remain tomorrow [June 23] for two reasons. Firstly, because I think leaving the EU would be very bad for my job and for scientific research in general. At the SCRM we benefit from a great deal of EU funding and were this to cease, I don't know how we would continue our research. We are all concerned about what a Brexit would mean for our work here."
"I think the dissolution of any union is a bad thing. I myself experienced the break-up of the Soviet Union and I can tell you it was not a good time. I think that we all have to work together to help each other and that this is the only way forward," Ms Rybtsova told Sputnik.
"I think with regard to Commonwealth immigrants – to be honest, I have never heard this argument before, but I think that the more competition there is, the better. We need the best applicants to our universities and institutes and I think that it doesn’t matter whether they are EU or Commonwealth citizens," Rybtsova said.
Also the fear that the UK may not be able to control its borders if it remains part of the EU, is not something that Natalia sees as a huge concern, as the government should be in control of this.
"I think it is a very difficult question. The government should do more to control this. Especially to deal with those migrants who come not to work, but to receive benefits. This has to be addressed," Rybtsova told Sputnik.
However, the real worry for Ms Rybtsova is that leaving the EU will have a negative effect on her children and their future in years to come. "Yes, I'm genuinely concerned about the future for my children; I want them to be free to travel and do as they wish. I myself have lived in the US, Switzerland, France and now the UK and want my children also to get similar opportunities."
