Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In honor of Russian Science Day, we're featuring leading and young scientists at RUDN University, as well as promising students making their first breakthroughs in research. We've prepared brief information about each subject's achievements and provided them with the opportunity to share quotes about their work and the importance of science in their lives. The leading and young scientists featured in this article are recipients of the RUDN University Prize in Science and Innovation. The prize will be presented at an extended meeting of the University's Academic Council on February 16.
Dmitry Evgenievich Kucher
Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Rational Nature Management at RUDN University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Ecological Academy.
He is the author of over 200 scientific papers, including monographs and publications in leading international journals. He is a leader in the commercialization of scientific research at RUDN University. Under his leadership, dozens of studies have been conducted, attracting significant funding and implemented in real-world practice—from risk management systems to environmental safety measures for facilities and territories.
"For me, science is the discipline of honest doubt. The art of asking nature and society honest questions and accepting the answers, even if they challenge our accepted worldview. It provides tools for transforming uncertainty into manageable risks and challenges into meaningful decisions. My research is based on the creation of a risk-based management system where human safety and organizational resilience become measurable and manageable variables. A single model combines "pure" risks to life, health, and the environment with "speculative" risks—managerial and financial ones. This can be used as an organizational standard: a risk register, metrics, regulations, staff training, scenario modeling, and a package of engineering and organizational measures. The risk-based approach has already been implemented at the Leninsky Branch of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Moscow Region and at the Ryazan State Agrarian and Technological University named after P.A. Kostychev," says Dmitry Kucher.
Olga Valentinovna Lomakina
Doctor of Philology, Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Philology, RUDN University.
She is the author of over 270 scientific publications, a recognized leader in the field of linguistics, and a guest editor for Scopus journals. Since 2015, she has led an international paremiological seminar, bringing together researchers from around the world. She is the recipient of honorary diplomas from the Rector of RUDN University and a letter of gratitude from the Russian Ministry of Education.
"For me, science is a dialogue with the past, without which it is impossible to understand the future. After all, the past is only one chapter, but all subsequent chapters are written on its basis. My research is devoted to the multi-paradigmatic study of set units in different languages. I explore how the value system of an entire people is reflected in small genres of folklore—proverbs and sayings. The uniqueness of this approach lies in its multifaceted nature, thanks to which the paremiological space of a language appears as an expanded text, allowing us to learn even more about a specific linguistic culture. We don't simply study texts; we decipher the cultural code, revealing the unity and diversity of value orientations in a multi-ethnic society," says Olga Lomakin.
Konstantin Gennadievich Gomonov
Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Economic and Mathematical Modeling of the Faculty of Economics of RUDN University.
An economist specializing in sustainable development and energy. He has led six research projects, including a grant from the Russian Science Foundation and a grant from the President of the Russian Federation. He is the author of over 40 scientific papers, including publications in Q1-Q2 journals and a monograph.
"For me, science is an opportunity to combine in-depth analysis with practical application. When your calculations and models help optimize public investments in energy efficiency or assess the environmental impact of a new production facility, that's the best reward. I believe that a scientist should be more than just an observer, but a designer of the future: creating tools that make the economy more sustainable, the environment cleaner, and the energy sector safer for the country and everyone. My team and I are currently developing a comprehensive hydrogen energy decision support system for Russia and the EAEU. Our goal is not simply to study the energy transition, but to create tangible tools that will help governments and businesses make informed decisions in the context of global decarbonization. We are developing agent-based models and dynamic optimization systems that will allow us to forecast the development of the domestic hydrogen technology market, assess geopolitical risks, and model regional cooperation within the EAEU, BRICS, and the SCO," says Konstantin Gomonov.
Vyacheslav Olegovich Begishev
Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Probability Theory and Cybersecurity at RUDN University.
A leading scientist in the field of next-generation wireless communication networks, he is the director and implementer of Russian Science Foundation grants. He has authored over 30 articles in leading international journals, including top-1% and top-5% publications (Scopus). He is a member of the dissertation councils at RUDN University and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and a regular reviewer for prestigious scientific journals.
"For me, science is a tool that transforms bold hypotheses into reliable technological solutions. When your algorithms, tested on mathematical models, start working in a real prototype and deliver gigabit speeds, that's the best reward. We're developing innovative solutions for 5G/6G networks at RUDN University. The uniqueness of our development lies in our comprehensive approach, which combines mathematical modeling, methods of queuing theory, stochastic geometry, and machine learning, with experimental verification on a real 6G communication system prototype. For example, we've developed a proactive algorithm that detects potential radio channel blocking (for example, by a human body) in advance and switches the connection before the signal is lost. This reduces the likelihood of connection interruptions from 30% to 5% and creates the foundation for the development of digital infrastructure for smart cities, the Industrial Internet of Things, unmanned vehicles, and next-generation communication services," says Vyacheslav Begishev.
Leonid Finarevsky, a student at the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Natural Sciences at RUDN University
Over the past two years, Leonid has won numerous awards at prestigious international and national Olympiads, including silver and bronze at the International Mathematics Competition (IMC), two gold medals at the All-Russian Olympiad in Elementary Geometry, and overall first place in the superfinal of the Open International Internet Olympiad. In 2025, his research project on creating a platform for assessing the mathematical capabilities of neural networks won a grant of 1 million rubles from the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE).
"For me, science is primarily a hobby, something I enjoy doing. Without that, science, especially mathematics, is difficult. In addition to fundamental research in polyhedron theory, I'm currently passionate about an applied project that lies at the intersection of mathematics and artificial intelligence. Together with my colleagues, we're developing a unique platform for comparing neural networks. The idea is to give neural networks the opportunity to solve math Olympiad problems that aren't available in open databases. This way, we can objectively evaluate not their memory, but their actual mathematical abilities and logic. This project has already received support from the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises, and we see great potential for creating new AI testing standards," says Leonid Finarevsky.
Nikola Balev, a student at the RUDN University Graduate School of Management
One of the most successful student entrepreneurs and researchers in the tourism and hospitality industry. In 2025, he received a grant from the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) for the Student Startup program, won the "Intellect of the Year" category at the "Moscow Student of the Year" competition, and was ranked among the top 50 in the all-Russian "Startup as a Diploma" competition of graduate theses. Nikola is the author of 16 scientific articles and five patents, chairs the RUDN University Student Scientific Society, and is the best undergraduate graduate in his field.
"Science for me is a system of life. I'm currently fully immersed in the development of the QuestBook digital platform. My team and I are exploring how artificial intelligence can help create unique, customized tours, automating routine tasks and optimizing human resources. This isn't just technology—it's reengineering the entire process of creating a tourism product in the digital age. Our goal is to give every guide and tour operator a smart tool that will transform their ideas into ready-made, well-thought-out itineraries in minutes. Our project has already been patented and was awarded the "Best Oral Presentation" award at an international conference in China," says Nikola Balev.
On the results of the past year
These scientists and students contributed to the overall success of the university's scientific activities in 2025. Here's what our university is proud of:
RUDN carried out eight projects within the framework of state programs and two projects in the interests of regional authorities. The total amount of their funding amounted to more than 270 million rubles. Key project topics: medicine, sustainable urban development, plasma physics, agricultural science, urban ecology.
RUDN University doctors won a grant from the Russian Science Foundation with a total funding amount of 108 million rubles for 4 years. The goal of the project is to develop antibiotics against mycoplasma for the agricultural sector. The research is co-financed by JSC Reftinskaya Poultry Farm, one of the largest meat industry enterprises in Russia.
University scientists continued to implement two mega-grants from the Russian Science Foundation: on smart technologies for sustainable urban development and on the development of new algorithms for personalizing the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas. The total amount of support for the year is 56 million rubles.
The university ensured the commercialization of the results of intellectual activity in the interests of the real sector of the economy in international markets for a total amount of 2.1 million rubles. Enhanced oil recovery technology, relevant for Kazakhstan, was developed at the Institute of Ecology. And the secret of production in the interests of Iran’s food-tech industry is in the Agricultural-Technological Institute.
27 out of 33 journals affiliated with RUDN University are included in the national “White List”. 10 of them go straight to the first (highest) level. In addition, for the first time, 3 RUDN journals in linguistics took 3 first places among the journals of Russian publishers indexed in the database in the Scopus Scimago Journal Rank (SJR). These are the publications “Russistics”, Russian Journal of Linguistics and “Theory of Language. Semiotics. Semantics”.
The Center for Scientific Development “Mathematics for Promising Young People” has been opened at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics. It is focused on the development of a mentoring system and the training of gifted youth.
25 RUDN student startups became finalists of the scientific accelerator. Among the topics of their projects: medical technologies, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, agricultural technologies, social innovations.
We congratulate all the scientists and research teams of RUDN on their professional holiday and wish them new achievements!
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