Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Developing a prototype of the "Healthy Arctic" app, attending expert lectures, and giving a presentation on orphan diseases to schoolchildren. Third-year General Medicine student Yulia Ivanova had a busy schedule at the All-Russian Forum of Young Scientists "Pole," which was held in Arkhangelsk at the Rosmolodezh Year-Round Youth Educational Center.
We spoke with Yulia to find out more about the project she was working on at the forum, whether it will be developed further, and whether the students enjoyed her lecture.
Describe the atmosphere of the event. What was most memorable: the lectures, the interaction with experts, the case study?
The atmosphere was conducive to collaboration. The lectures with invited experts were the most memorable. At the plenary sessions, science popularization was discussed from a variety of perspectives—from scientists, journalists, inventors, and science organizers. It was truly interesting and useful to hear everyone's perspective. Controversial discussions often arose, but that's precisely what makes plenary sessions so interesting. Arkhangelsk, Lomonosov's birthplace, was also very memorable. I even had the chance to visit Yagry Island and see the White Sea.
How did the project work unfold? How was the topic chosen and the teams determined?
Each case involved 2-3 teams of 5-6 people. Case assignments were based on the interests each participant indicated during the forum selection process, while team assignments were random. We were assisted by a mentor, who guided the group's work. In my team, we divided the tasks according to relevant expertise: I worked on statistics and the medical rationale for the solution, while the other participants programmed an app aimed at preserving the health of Arctic residents.
What was the main problem of the case, what key tasks did you need to solve?
We were tasked with proposing a solution for the case "Creating an Integrated Health Monitoring and Prevention System for the Arctic Zone." The challenge was driven by the high morbidity rate (40-50% higher than the Russian average). The region's challenges included low access to medical care in remote communities, a shortage of medical personnel and their professional isolation, and environmental risks due to industrial pollution. My team was tasked with developing a comprehensive health monitoring and prevention system for residents of the Arctic zone. The service needed to take into account the region's specific needs and ensure early detection of diseases, timely prevention, effective management of medical resources, and increased access to medical care.
The task was quite challenging, but very interesting. It was truly rewarding to delve into a new area I hadn't considered before. There was plenty of time to solve the case; the teamwork was divided into three two- to three-hour periods on different days of the forum.
The mentor provided us with all the necessary information to solve the case—articles, methodological manuals, and statistics. However, in some areas (such as disease statistics), it was difficult to find up-to-date information on the Arctic zone, as research in this area is often conducted not comprehensively, but on specific segments of the population—for example, industrial workers.
What was the result?
We created a prototype of the "Healthy Arctic" app, focused on coordinated patient and physician collaboration and the timely transfer of information to the healthcare system. Our solution was based on the 5P Medicine concept (Predictiveness, Prevention, Personalization, Precision, Participatory). Our development prospects included expanding the app's functionality (synchronization with electronic devices), enhancing the capabilities of emergency notification systems for loved ones, scaling it up in the Northwestern Federal District, and implementing it in other regions. We also planned to implement a robotic system to enable remote medical examinations.
Will your development continue after the forum?
My team is considering this opportunity, and we also received a recommendation from a mentor. We plan to refine the project and participate in a hackathon on a similar topic.
Why do you think public health has become a key issue for Arctic development? Is it a matter of national security or, primarily, a humanitarian one?
The Arctic zone highly values human capital, as the speed of Russia's development in the region depends on the health and well-being of its people. The USSR actively conducted research on this topic, and Russia is also conducting scientific work in this area. The harsh climate, dietary and environmental conditions pose challenges for the human body, which scientists must help address.
What challenges to human health exist in the Arctic zone that are not relevant to other regions of Russia?
Climate conditions include extremely low temperatures, a lack of sunlight, which leads to vitamin D deficiency due to the polar night and day, disrupted circadian rhythms, and fluctuating atmospheric pressure. The region also has its own unique dietary patterns—a shortage of fresh fruits and vegetables, and vitamin deficiencies. And I can't help but note the difficulty accessing medical care, which is made more difficult by poor weather conditions.
What about participating in the forum as an expert? How did you get invited to give a lecture?
For almost a year now, I've been an intern at the Coordinating Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education of the Presidential Council for Science and Education of the Russian Federation. I was invited to the forum to develop one of the intern program's areas. The project is currently under development, so I can't go into detail about all its aspects. However, at the forum, we piloted one of its components—master lectures on science for schoolchildren. I gave a lecture on orphan diseases, as we found it one of the most interesting and controversial. Some of the students had never heard of such diseases and learned about them at the forum. Overall, the students were quite active, asking many questions not only about the lecture topic but also about the development of science in educational institutions, and proposing their own ideas for improving the modern education system.
How useful did you find the Pole forum?
Here, I was able to interact with a large number of scientists and science communicators, generating new ideas for the development of science at RUDN University's Institute of Medicine. For me personally, the forum was extremely useful. I met with experts who had previously been inaccessible to me and learned more about current research areas in Russia.
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