Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In the lead-up to March 8, we decided to highlight some of RUDN's female scientists. The university's staff members shared with us their proudest achievements, why they chose a career in science, and their dreams.
Irina Chernykh, Deputy Director for Research at the Law Institute, Associate Professor of the Department of International Law.
Three key achievements
She has twice managed scientific grants: a Presidential grant for young scientists with PhDs and a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (RSF). The grant topics are related to international space law. She is a member of the Global Expert Group on Lunar Sustainability within the framework of the international non-governmental organization "Moon Village Association." She is one of the authors of the document "Recommended Framework and Key Elements for Peaceful and Sustainable Activities on the Moon," which was submitted by the Association to the UN Committee on Outer Space. Since 2019, she has been responsible for the work of the Zhukov Center for International Space Law and the Zhukov Library of International Space Law.
"I chose science over other career options because there's always room for growth in scientific work. New challenges constantly arise that can be addressed through research. My cherished dream as a scientist is to see the real, active, practical exploration of the Moon and other celestial bodies, which will encourage states to more actively and progressively develop international space law. Law is a tool for regulating relations, and when it works, it's especially gratifying," says Irina Chernykh.
Vera Tolchennikova, Director of the Research Institute for Brain Development and Higher Achievements, Senior Researcher.
Three key achievements
Defense of a PhD dissertation under the supervision of Doctor of Biological Sciences Kira Alekseevna Nikolskaya; victory in the Russian Foundation for Basic Research competition and the discovery of the phenomenon of imprinting in adults in animals and humans (imprinting is a rapid and persistent learning process in which images, sounds, or behavior patterns are instantly "imprinted" into memory); victory in the competition for RSF grants in 2024 – project "Instability of Spatial Structure as a Factor in Accelerating Learning in a Nonlinear Multi-Alternative Virtual Maze."
"I chose science because the most powerful forces and the most important secrets lie within us—our brain. Science levels everyone. You can't be complacent and self-sufficient: the horizon of knowledge is too vast. Before it, we are all equal—both experienced researchers and those just taking their first steps. My cherished dream as a scientist is to help everyone find the ideal application of their intellect, a worthy task whose solution will allow them to fully realize their intellectual potential," says Vera Tolchennikova.
Maria Korneikova, Deputy Director for Research at the Agrarian-Technological Institute, Senior Researcher at the Scientific Center "Smart Technologies for Sustainable Development of the Urban Environment in the Context of Global Change."
Three key achievements
Created a database of microbiological parameters of anthropogenically disturbed and background soils of the Kola Subarctic; developed technologies for the bioremediation of soils contaminated with oil products and heavy metals in Arctic conditions; and created a collection of microorganism strains with biotechnological potential (degraders, antibiotic producers, etc.).
"My mother's experience played a major role in my career choice. She works in a botanical garden and instilled in me a love of nature from childhood. And since I was born and lived in the North for a long time, Arctic conservation issues have always been of great interest and concern to me. My current dream, which is primarily up to me, is to defend my doctoral dissertation. More broadly, since my research focuses on Arctic nature, I'd like to visit its remote regions, where many interesting things can still be found and new scientific discoveries can be made," says Maria Korneykova.
Anna Kurbatova, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Safety and Product Quality Management.
Three key achievements
She synthesized a complex copper complex with an organic ligand, determined its structure, and discovered that it is a luminophore (a substance capable of absorbing light energy and converting it into visible light in the dark). Using J. Forrester's system dynamics, she developed simulation models describing the impact of metallurgical plant pollution on forest ecosystems. A third scientific discovery is in progress. This is also a model, but it describes different processes related to the circular economy.
"I chose science over other career options because it's genetics. It's hard to escape. My father is a scientist, inventor, and an Honored Engineer of the USSR. I grew up surrounded by thoughtful people who were passionate about discoveries. And, of course, to paraphrase a well-known saying, a scientist is made by his entourage. I found myself surrounded by people with world-renowned scientific reputations, and they had a tremendous influence on me. My cherished dream as a scientist is for Russia to become a global leader in cutting-edge scientific research, so that we can be proud of our scientists in all fields of science, because we have potential, especially in human capital. As Mikhail Lomonosov wrote: 'O you, whom the Fatherland expects from its depths and desires to see, whom it calls from foreign lands, oh, your days are blessed!'" “Dare now, encouraged by your zeal, to show that the Russian land can give birth to its own Platos and quick-witted Newtons,” – Anna Kurbatova.
Svetlana Agasieva, Deputy Director for International Activities at the Engineering Academy, Associate Professor of the Nanotechnology and Microsystems Engineering Department.
Three key achievements
Developed an experimental prototype of a multichannel radiometric system for non-invasive diagnostics of the functional state of the brain, based on the principles of multichannel radiothermal mapping; created a model for the formation of the brightness temperature of the underlying surface, which takes into account the parameters of the antenna, radiometer, earth's surface, and the surveillance system; developed a thermal testing technology for predicting the reliability of radio signal mixers based on a resonant tunneling diode.
"I chose science because it constantly teaches you something new, leaving room for growth and improvement. And my cherished dream is to find solutions to all health and diagnostic problems," says Svetlana Agasieva.
Irina Kochetkova, Associate Professor of the Department of Probability Theory and Cybersecurity, First Deputy Director of the Institute of Computer Science and Telecommunications.
Three key achievements
receiving the Moscow Government Prize for young scientists for the developed set of probabilistic models for priority management of radio resources in wireless networks. I was able to mathematically describe how to “smartly” distribute a limited resource in a network between different types of services – from regular mobile Internet to critical connections. So that the most important users receive communication without interruption even in overload conditions;
in her doctoral dissertation, she built a family of Markov priority access models for elastic and streaming traffic. Elastic traffic is when the user specifies the amount of data (for example, downloading a file), and the transfer speed can vary depending on the network load. Streaming traffic – when constant speed is more important (for example, a video call or online broadcast). The proposed models make it possible to calculate with what probability the connection will be interrupted, how often the speed will drop below a comfortable level, and how to set priorities between different types of traffic so that the network operates steadily and fairly towards users;
Another area of my work involves the application of these models in different practical scenarios. I’m exploring priority access for elastic and streaming millimeter-wave traffic in multi-operator spectrum sharing and network slicing. The point is not only to “beautifully” describe the network with formulas, but also to give telecom operators and real sector companies the tools to choose the optimal settings: where and how to reserve a resource, in whose favor to change priorities when there is a risk of equipment failure or a sharp surge in load. All these results and their applications are systematically presented in my doctoral dissertation, which I defended in November last year.
"I chose science because it's an endless source of intellectual challenge. You can't rest on your laurels here—there's always a new challenge, a new level of complexity. My cherished dream is for our mathematical models to truly help make communications better, more reliable, and more accessible to people. For operators to implement our developments, and for users to not even notice how complex the network is in their pocket—they can simply enjoy stable operation," says Irina Kochetkova.
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