Category: Novosibirsk State University

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NSU hosted the Winter Hackathon, organized by the SberLab-NSU student research and educational laboratory with the support of Sberbank and SberTech. The event provided a platform for immersive learning in business challenges, demonstrating professional skills, and generating bold technological solutions.

The hackathon kicked off on January 30 with an opening ceremony, where Sber representatives presented a detailed case study on current issues in university-company collaboration that arise when launching joint student projects. Following the question-and-answer session, the teams immediately began working in the laboratories of the educational and research center. Faculty of Information Technology (FIT) NSU.

The program was designed for maximum productivity: participants worked intensively on projects for three days, supported by personal trackers. The final chord was the project defense on February 1st at NSU's Creative Student Space, located in the classroom building, where nine teams presented their solutions to a panel of experts.

"The hackathon participants were presented with an interesting problem that addressed a pressing issue of interaction between various entities in the context of joint work between companies and universities. The competitors demonstrated a high level of elaboration of their solutions, with a wealth of interesting architectural ideas. I am confident that these projects can form the basis for future successful implementations. The exchange of experiences and ideas was beneficial for the students themselves and also provided food for thought for the jury members. Overall, I consider this event a great opportunity for interested students to hone their skills while pursuing their passion within the competitive process," said Alexey Sasov, Executive Director, IT Product Leader, Headquarters, Sberbank.

Following the defense, the winners and prize winners of the hackathon were determined:

• First place went to the "Rope" team, comprised of Vsevolod Kovalev and Maria Kukoleva, students from the Institute of Intelligent Robotics (IIR). They received a cash prize of 30,000 rubles.

• 2nd place and stylish backpacks with Sber branding went to the FIT Sburn team, consisting of Danil Trishkin, Maxim Ermolaev, Lada Avdonina and Matvey Antonov.

• 3rd place went to the FIT "5Patsanov" team, consisting of Mikhail Korotkov, Miroslav Yakuba, Egor Laukhin, Kirill Anisimov, and Oleg Zaychikov. The team also received useful books as a gift from the event's partner.

"Thank you for the room with monitors; it was comfortable to work and gather as a team. The working conditions and final conference were excellently organized. Two days of intensive work—the perfect format for in-depth development and implementation of an idea," shared Mikhail Korotkov, captain of the "5Patsanov" team.

In addition to winning prizes, the most outstanding hackathon participants will be invited to an internship at SberLab-NSU, with the opportunity to receive a personalized scholarship and an internship at a company within the Sber ecosystem. All students who successfully defended their projects received certificates of participation.

"Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the hackathon as an observer! I'd like to highlight the excellent organization: the students were provided with comfortable work spaces, and the defense took place in a comfortable and cozy space with a friendly atmosphere. The students were very engaged; it was clear they were working hard, eager to win, and to come up with their own original solution to the problem. It's fantastic that we were able to create such an exciting, creative atmosphere for the hackathon, a competitive yet fair competition," added Olga Proskuryakova, expert, Technology Unit, Sberbank.

The SberLab-NSU Winter Hackathon once again demonstrated that the combination of NSU students' academic knowledge and real-world business challenges from industry leaders yields impressive and promising results.

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The All-Russian Sparrow Census, "Sparrows in the Bushes," will take place from February 7th to 15th. During the census, scientists and ordinary people count the number of sparrows in our yards, parks, and fields. The event has been held since 2023. This year, Novosibirsk State University is the project's regional partner for the first time. Last year, Novosibirsk ranked fifth in sparrow counts, and this year, organizers hope to bring the region into the top three.

Sparrows have long lived alongside humans. House sparrows, in particular, are synanthropic, meaning their lives are directly linked to the human world. They are an integral part of our ecosystem. If sparrows suffer, so does our common home. In recent decades, ornithologists have noticed a decline in sparrow numbers. To confirm this and determine the causes, a sparrow census was conducted. The results of the count will help determine the population status and develop measures to address the situation.

However, scientists alone can't do it, because Russia is a large country, and it's important to count birds at a specific time and compare them with previous years' results. Therefore, citizen science—that's us—comes to the aid of scientists.

Senior Lecturer Humanities Institute of NSULyudmila Budneva, philologist and regional project coordinator, commented:

Why would I count sparrows? Because I can. I grew up in Akademgorodok, where the Young Naturalists' Station taught us first-graders to pay attention to the world around us, distinguish between animal species, and help them. My profession has nothing to do with biology, but my love of ornithology and the ability to see and hear birds remained, so I became a birdwatcher. Fortunately, Akademgorodok, Novosibirsk, and our region as a whole offer ample opportunities for birdwatching. For example, while I'm walking to work at Novosibirsk State University, I can spot 30 species of birds in 10 minutes during the winter alone! And sparrows are among my favorites. I associate them with friendship and spring.

Anyone can participate in the census. Simply find the sparrows, memorize their location, take a photo or video of them (a smartphone camera is usually sufficient), and submit this data by filling out a form on the project website. Detailed instructions are available on the website. sparrow.nbud.ru.

Participants must be 5 years old or older. Individuals and groups can participate. For example, neighbors could organize a mini-competition in the building's chat room, or the class could go sparrow-watching around the school.

"Tree sparrows predominate in Akademgorodok; they're less dependent on humans than house sparrows. House sparrows can be found in Shch and Shlyuz. You should look for them in the bushes where they hide, at bird feeders, and along the roads," added Lyudmila Budneva.

Participating in the campaign is an opportunity to spend time outdoors, listen to birdsong, and recharge your batteries. The campaign also teaches the basics of monitoring local biodiversity, engages the public in scientific volunteering, creates a reason to spend more time outdoors and observe animals, and teaches responsibility and caring.

More than 80 Russian regions are participating in the campaign, and regions are ranked based on the number of birds counted, the number of sparrow encounters recorded, and the number of participants. In the winter of 2025, Novosibirsk Oblast ranked fifth out of 81 regions for sparrow counts: 224 observations were made, with a total of 9,166 sparrows counted. Organizers believe the region has every chance of making it into the top three, but only if it does so fairly.

Importantly, participation awards verified volunteer hours on dobro.rf, which at some universities add points to applicants' Unified State Exams (USE) scores and generally demonstrate the level of public responsibility. Participants who successfully pass at least one observation can receive a personalized electronic certificate with their personal statistics.

The census coincides with Darwin Week, organized by NSU. Both events, on the one hand, are about curiosity and broadening horizons, and on the other, about getting acquainted with real science.

For advice on participation, please contact Anna Stanislavovna Mostovaya, head of the "Snail Marta" project: mostovaa@list.ru or via social networks VKontakteCoordinator in the Novosibirsk region is Lyudmila Viktorovna Budneva: @Budneva_Ludmila (Telegram), VKontakte.

The event is organized by the All-Russian public organization "Union for the Conservation of Birds of Russia," the popular biology project "Snail Marta," the autonomous non-profit organization "Center for Support of Initiatives in Science, Technology, and Culture 'Our Future,'" and the Presidential Nature Fund. In the Novosibirsk region, the event is supported by Novosibirsk State University.

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In February 2025, Kim Seung-chan, Rector of Kim Il-sung University in the DPRK, asked Mikhail Fedoruk, Rector of Novosibirsk State University, to date human bones discovered in North Korea during archaeological excavations near Mount Baekdu and two other provinces. North Korean media reported this information last week. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the archaeological sites excavated in and around this area represent burial sites dating back to the feudal Joseon Dynasty. Five burial sites were excavated on the shores of Cheongju Lake, four in Daehongdang County in Ryanggang Province and Musan County in North Hamgyong Province. Korean archaeologists noted that the shape of all the discovered burial sites was similar to a Korean burial site previously discovered on an island in Samjiyon Pond No. 1.

Last January, a delegation from Kim Il Sung University, the leading university in the DPRK, visited Novosibirsk State University. During the visit, representatives from the two universities agreed to intensify interuniversity cooperation. To more effectively organize joint work, a roadmap for the coming year was signed. The universities agreed to focus their efforts on the following areas: organizing research internships for young scientists lasting one to three months in agreed-upon areas; conducting joint research, seminars and conferences at NSU and research institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and exchanging faculty. During this official visit, samples were donated for radiocarbon dating, marking the first joint effort between the two universities under the signed roadmap.

As part of the roadmap's implementation, a series of online lectures on Juche philosophy was organized for Russian students in the fall of 2025, with students from 19 Russian universities participating. Furthermore, a decision was made to explore the possibility of opening an office of Kim Il Sung University in the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok; a potential location is currently being sought, said Yevgeny Sagaydak, Head of the NSU Education Export Department.

According to radiocarbon dating conducted at the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center, the burials were dated to the mid-18th to mid-19th centuries, confirming the North Korean scientists' hypothesis: since the mid-18th century, people living in the Mount Paektu region, including Ryanggang and North Hamgyong provinces, have buried the remains of their loved ones around Lake Cheongji. The North Korean Society of Archaeologists has determined that the burials discovered in the Ryanggang and North Hamgyong provinces, including the shore of Lake Cheongji on Mount Paektu, were buried according to the burial custom of the Palhae kingdom. This was reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) last week.

"Last March, we received bone and tooth samples from five individuals for dating using accelerator mass spectrometry. Chemical processing of the samples was performed at the Cenozoic Geochronology Center of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, while graphitization and AMS analysis were performed at the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center. The results were received in the summer and sent to our international colleagues. For the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center, this is the first time the Center has worked with foreign samples, and the results have been published in the main state news agency of a friendly country," said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk, Director of the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center.

As Ekaterina Parkhomchuk explained, radiocarbon dating is based on the quantitative determination of changes in the C-14/C-12 carbon isotope ratio, using organic matter for dating. Although the C-14 nucleus decays over time, turning into a nitrogen atom (N-14), all living biological objects, including humans, maintain approximately the same level of C-14 over thousands of years as a result of their vital activity. The Earth's atmosphere, and subsequently the entire biosphere, is constantly replenished with this isotope by cosmic rays, compensating for decaying C-14. However, as soon as exchange with the environment ceases, the C-14 concentration in the object decreases. By measuring the loss of C-14, according to the law of radioactive decay, it is possible to determine the time during which exchange with the environment did not occur—that is, the time of the object's death. In fact, radiocarbon age is the relative content of C-14 in a substance, and the calendar period, or the calendar age of an object, is determined from the radiocarbon age using the international calibration curve, which is the result of extensive interdisciplinary cross-dating of natural archives by numerous laboratories worldwide. Since C-14 is extremely rare in the biosphere—about one trillionth of C-12—the dating result is highly dependent on the preservation of the material and the quality of purification of the material being dated.

— The soil in which human remains lie for a long time can not only contaminate, but also completely destroy organic matter, therefore, of the two materials – bones and teeth – for dating, we always ask for teeth that show the most reliable age. Unlike bones, teeth consist of denser, non-porous tissue and the preservation of organic matter is better. Archaeological material from the DPRK was collected from the shore of Lake Chongji (Heavenly Lake). This is the highest crater lake in the world. It is located at the top, in the caldera of the dormant but not extinct Paektusan volcano, where active fumaroles – outlets of hot volcanic gases and steam – are still observed. Such conditions could lead to poor preservation of bone remains, so we dated collagen separately from both bone fragments and teeth, but the results of the two materials for each individual were the same, showing the same age. On average, the radiocarbon age of objects is in the range of 100-200 years, which gives a fairly wide calendar period for the origin of the remains – between 1650 and 1950 AD. However, statistical processing of all the results, carried out by Petr Menshanov, an employee of the Institute of Intelligent Robotics of NSU, made it possible to narrow the probabilistic interval and limit the age of origin of the remains to the interval 1650-1900 AD, with the median ages suggesting the most likely dates of burial in the interval between 1760 and 1820 AD, explained Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

Sergei Alkin, PhD in history, associate professor at the Department of Archaeology and Ethnography at the Novosibirsk State University Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, and senior researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, commented on the report by the Central Asian News Agency (CTAC) on the results of radiocarbon dating of burials at Lake Chongji.

"I think I'm right in saying that this is a unique case of dating archaeological materials from the northern part of the Korean Peninsula in our country. The first discussion of this possibility took place in Pyongyang during a discussion of possible areas of collaboration with fellow archaeologists from Kim Il Sung University in the spring of 2015. The leadership of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences offered assistance with absolute dating of archaeological samples, and in the fall of that year, a cooperation agreement was signed between NSU and Kim Il Sung University. As part of this agreement, we helped our Korean colleagues prepare several articles by archaeologists and linguists from Pyongyang for publication in our university's journals."

In the fall of 2016, a representative NSU delegation took part in events celebrating the 70th anniversary of Kim Il Sung University. It was led by Igor Marchuk. The delegation included archaeologists and philologists from the NSU Humanities Institute. They participated in the scientific program, presenting papers in the mathematics, linguistics, and archaeology sections.

"The regions from which the NSU-NSC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Center's shared resources were provided for study are of great interest to Russian archaeologists, as they are the northernmost provinces of the DPRK, bordering not only China but also Russia's Primorsky Krai. Therefore, any new archaeological materials from this territory are of great interest to us. They are important, first and foremost, for studying ethnocultural contacts in the ancient and medieval Far East," explained Sergei Alkin. "Since the mid-1970s, NSU archaeologists have maintained varying degrees of contact with their North Korean colleagues, but these contacts subsequently faded. It was only in 2011 that I was able to participate in a scientific conference held at Kim Il Sung University, communicate with my Pyongyang colleagues, and share with them archaeological literature published by the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS."

Some of the samples submitted for radiocarbon dating come from burials on the shores of Lake Cheongji on Mount Paektu. In Korean mythology, Mount Paektu is a sacred mountain where, according to the myth of Tangun, the founder of the first Korean state, the ancestors of the Korean people lived. Today, Mount Paektu is a symbol of independent Korea. It is also an important place in the history of Russian-Korean relations, and is associated with Novosibirsk.

The first scientific exploration in the Paektusan region was conducted in 1898 by railway engineer and writer Nikolai Georgievich Garin-Mikhailovsky (1852-1906). He led one of the teams on Alexander Zvegintsev's expedition, whose main objective was to study the forests in the Amnokkan River basin and determine the feasibility of building a railway between Vladivostok and the Chinese port of Lüshun.

In addition to official reports, an important result was the publication of N. G. Garin-Mikhailovsky's travel notes, "Across Korea, Manchuria, and the Liaodong Peninsula" (1899), as well as his collection of Korean folktales, which became the first examples of Korean folklore published in European languages (in Europe, they were quickly translated from Russian). This book by the Russian writer is an invaluable resource for the study of 19th-century Korea. It is unlikely that another foreign author living in the modern era would have left behind works so imbued with a warm feeling for Korea and its people. N. G. Garin-Mikhailovsky's notes, in spirit and content, stand apart from the dominant trend in regional studies literature of the time. The explorer sincerely sought to understand the national character of the Koreans. During the expedition, he established personal relationships with representatives of various strata of Korean society.

"The news report we learned about from North Korean media raises many questions. The very choice of materials for analysis is interesting. All the anthropological materials come from relatively late burials, dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, my colleagues and I eagerly await a scientific publication in the archaeological journal Chosun Koyeongu or the Kim Il Sung University Bulletin," concluded Sergei Alkin.

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The Novosibirsk State University faculty team won the regional "Vivocacy and Health" volleyball competition for the first time. The victory was a landmark event for university sports and the first time the NSU team had ever participated in this competition. The "Vivocacy and Health" Spartakiad, which includes staff and faculty from Novosibirsk universities, includes nine events, many of which were successfully completed by NSU representatives. The university has placed third in the overall team standings for four consecutive years.

In the volleyball final, the NSU team met the NSU team and, in a tough three-set battle, won with a score of 2:1.

"Our team's victory in the Novosibirsk University Faculty Spartakiad in volleyball was ensured by team cohesion. Excellent teamwork, a champion's spirit, good physical condition, and a little luck helped our team secure victory. The game was evenly matched, but intense focus on key moments in the third, decisive set proved crucial to our success," notes Anton Mamekov, Head of the Sports Department at the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies at NSU.

The winning team consists of:

Bair Nikolaevich Tuchinov, research fellow at the Research Center for Artificial Intelligence at NSU, team captain;

Andrey Viktorovich Matveev, Head of the Laboratory of Deep Machine Learning in Physical Methods at the Institute of Intelligent Robotics at NSU;

Alexey Sergeevich Kiryutin, Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Faculty of Physics, NSU;

Sergey Vadimovich Agapov, Associate Professor of the Department of Geometry and Topology of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU;

Elizaveta Evgenievna Kirchanova, lecturer at the Department of Intelligent Systems of Thermal Physics at the Institute of Intelligent Robotics at NSU;

Evgeny Yuryevich Zhdanov, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Physics, Faculty of Physics, NSU;

Artem Stepanovich Bogomyakov, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, NSU;

Andrey Andreevich Kechin, Associate Professor of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU;

Oleg Igorevich Gusev, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematical Modeling, Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, NSU;

Alexander Anatolyevich Egorov, Associate Professor of the Department of Higher Mathematics, Faculty of Physics, NSU.

"The emotions after the victory are simply indescribable. It's pure euphoria, pride, and joy for a good game and result," says team captain Bair Turchynov. "We've proven by our example that NSU values not only scientific research, but also a healthy spirit, the will to win, and competitive passion. This is our first victory in this competition, and it could be historic for university sports."

According to the captain, the team approached the Spartakiad with particular seriousness, with regular training and careful work on the mistakes of previous years.

"Success was made possible by teamwork and a strong desire. Despite a busy schedule of lectures and meetings, we tried to train regularly, analyzed past failures, and focused on teamwork and physical fitness. This year, we developed that fighting spirit and confidence that often make all the difference," notes Bair Turchynov.

The atmosphere within the team played a special role in the victory.

"Teamwork is the foundation of our results. On the court, we understand each other without words: we back each other up, support each other after mistakes, and celebrate every successful moment. We don't have 'stars'—we're a unified team where everyone does their best for the team's success," the captain emphasizes.

For teachers, participation in competitions is not only a sport, but also an opportunity to represent the university.

"Representing NSU is a great honor and responsibility. We take the field as part of a huge university community and want students, colleagues, and fans to be proud of their alma mater. Every victory is another reason to say, 'Our university is the best and most diverse!'" says Bair Turchynov.

Anton Mamekov also talks about the special atmosphere at the competition:

"The atmosphere at the competition was incredible. The competition was intense from the very first minutes. Our opponent, NSTU, naturally had more fans than the host team. But a small group of NSU fans also cheered enthusiastically and enthusiastically for their team."

The team does not plan to stop there.

"Our plans include defending our title next year and promoting volleyball among teachers, setting an example for students. Now we have a new, ambitious reason to train," the captain adds.

Today, NSU has a modern sports infrastructure, and its gyms are fully operational for academic activities. Sports departments are open daily from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM; the Department of Physical Education implements development programs in 17 sports.

NSU faculty, staff, and students actively participate in competitions across a variety of sports, with considerable success. For example, the Novosibirsk Universiade, a 22-sport competition held annually from November to June, features 22 events, with NSU participating in 21 of them. The university has placed third overall in the team competition for four consecutive years.

The team's victory was a clear confirmation of NSU's successful combination of science, sports, and team spirit.

The material was prepared by: Yulia Dankova, NSU press service

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On January 23, 2026, an extended meeting of the final board of the regional Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy was held in the small hall of the Novosibirsk Region Government building. The event was attended by heads of regional executive authorities, representatives of scientific and educational organizations, and innovative companies from the region.

The meeting included an awards ceremony from the Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region. At the invitation of the Ministry, Novosibirsk State University students Andrei Khromov, Alexander Okunev, and Semyon Savelyev participated in the meeting and were awarded letters of gratitude for their outstanding achievements in project-based educational activities and their contribution to the development of modern technologies.

The students, as part of a team, represented NSU at the project-based educational intensive "Archipelago 2025," where they took second place in the "Processing UAS Datasets Using Neural Networks" category. The team's task was to develop software for real-time human detection in natural environments, which is particularly relevant for search and rescue operations.

"For me, this is, first and foremost, a great honor and recognition of our team's work. Participating in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Board meeting was a unique experience that allowed me to see how strategic decisions are made in science and innovation at the Novosibirsk Region level," says Alexander Okunev, a bachelor's student. Institute of Intelligent Robotics NSU.

According to Alexander, the developed solution is based on neural network methods of computer vision and has demonstrated high accuracy with relatively low computational costs.

"Among the key features of our solution is the use of segmentation to automatically refine the labeling. This improved the quality of the training data and became a decisive advantage in the competition," he notes.

Alexander also emphasizes that participating in the intensive course was a test of his university preparation:

I'm studying "Mechatronics and Robotics. Artificial Intelligence," and "Archipelago 2025" was a real test of my core skills. NSU's emphasis on deep learning, practical robotics, and access to graphics clusters allowed me to quickly prototype and bring the solution to a working level.

Semyon Savelyev, master's student Faculty of Information Technology NSU also notes the importance of recognition at the regional level:

"This is a great honor for me and confirmation that teamwork truly does produce results. Participating in the board allowed me to see how interactions between science, education, and the government are built."

He emphasizes that success in the competition was made possible thanks to a strong environment within the university:

At NSU, I found a team to participate in hackathons and competitions. Without them, achieving high results would have been impossible. It was a good test of my core skills in artificial intelligence and data analysis.

In the future, Semyon plans to continue working in this direction:

— I want to develop the topic of object detection and robust tracking as part of my master's thesis, publish my research results, and try to commercialize the development through participation in an accelerator.

Andrey Khromov also shared his impressions of participating in the board meeting:

"For me, this is important confirmation that the work I'm doing is important not only in the academic and scientific community, but also at the state level. Participating in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education's board gives me a sense of involvement in larger processes and motivates me to take on more complex tasks."

Andrey notes the role of the university in shaping professional thinking:

"NSU has become an environment for me where I develop not only a professional foundation but also an approach to solving complex problems. The university teaches me to think critically about results, to independently understand problems, and to not be afraid to go beyond the formal curriculum."

According to him, the key factor in success was project work:

— The university provides the opportunity to constantly participate in team projects, and competitions have become an excellent opportunity to apply acquired skills outside of the university.

NSU students' participation in the final board meeting of the Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region confirmed that university training, teamwork, and a project-based approach enable students to successfully solve applied problems and contribute to the development of science and innovation in the region.

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The Crystallization laboratory of the Educational and Methodological Center (EMC) has opened within the Scientific and Educational Center "Institute of Chemical Technologies of the Novosibirsk State University — Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences." Its creation is part of the project "Application of Synchrotron Radiation for Virology Research," implemented under the Federal Scientific and Technological Program (FSTP) for the Development of Synchrotron and Neutron Research. This state program, designed for the period up to 2030 and beyond, aims to comprehensively address the challenges of accelerating the development of synchrotron and neutron research and the corresponding research infrastructure in the Russian Federation. The Crystallization laboratory is headed by a senior lecturer in the Department of Solid State Chemistry. Faculty of Natural Sciences NSU, Head of the Department of Synchrotron Research for Biology and Biomedicine of the SKIF Center for Collective Use Sergey Arkhipov.

— The laboratory operates within the framework of the research program "Application of synchrotron radiation for virological research to develop new immunological drugs." We also conduct scientific research under the program "Priority 2030» on the project that is supervised Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies NSU. The laboratory staff is primarily undergraduate and graduate students, but there are also more experienced scientists. Among them is Sofia Borisevich, a doctor of chemical sciences. One of the tasks she completed was preparing a methodological manual, "All Facets of Molecular Docking," said Sergey Arkhipov.

The laboratory’s activities are carried out in three directions. The first is to carry out research work related to molecular modeling of the spatial structures of proteins and their complexes, modeling the behavior of such objects in solution, crystallization and further X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples under study. The modeling stage helps to form structural hypotheses, select objects whose probability of crystallization is minimal, and select an appropriate research method to solve the problem. The second direction is the formation and development of the material base for the crystallization of biopolymers and low molecular weight organic compounds, sampling of crystals and their study by X-ray diffraction analysis. Third, carrying out activities aimed at training qualified personnel to carry out research activities using synchrotron radiation. One of these events is the School of Young Scientists “Application of Synchrotron Radiation to Solve Biological Problems,” which has been held at NSU annually for four years. Particular attention during training is paid to macromolecular crystallography. The School’s teachers are researchers involved in synchrotron research from all over the country. The total number of event participants is usually about one hundred people from more than 20 organizations. In 2026, the School will be held for the fifth time. Also this year it is planned to conduct a program of additional professional education “Megascience-class installations for biology: from problem statement to interpretation of the data obtained”, and next year – “Possibilities of the SKIF Center for Common Use and other sources of synchrotron radiation for research in the field of biology.”

"We conduct diffraction studies of biopolymers in collaboration with the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and participate in experiments at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. We process the experimental data at NSU. We successfully use molecular modeling to create initial models and design potential mobile molecular regions. Another priority area of the laboratory's work is identifying crystallization conditions for low-molecular organic compounds that may be potential medicinal substances, as well as determining their structures using X-ray diffraction analysis. This work is primarily conducted using equipment from the Department of Solid State Chemistry of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at NSU," explained Sergey Arkhipov.

The laboratory is equipped with a unit with the necessary climate for crystallization, a robot that allows for dosing and mixing liquids in very small quantities, as well as a minimal set of reagents and equipment for extracting, freezing, and transporting frozen crystals to synchrotron radiation sources.

"The safest way to transport macromolecular crystals is at liquid nitrogen temperature—around -196°C. Our laboratory has a specialized Dewar flask for this purpose, which is even certified for air transport. It can be used not only for transporting crystals but also for storing them. While it's not a cryostor, it does provide sufficiently long-term storage for biopolymer crystals, allowing for convenient transport from NSU to the SKIF Center for Collective Use and then awaiting their turn at the research station," said Sergey Arkhipov.

Laboratory staff have already obtained crystals of macromolecular compounds for research at the SKIF Center for Collective Use, the launch of which is scheduled for this year.

"During the launch of the first phase of the SKIF Center for Collective Use, expert user groups from across Russia will be invited to evaluate the experimental capabilities of the research facility and document them appropriately. We hope that the samples obtained in our laboratory will be among the very first to be analyzed at the SKIF Center for Collective Use. For us, the launch of the SKIF Center for Collective Use and access to the research infrastructure are extremely important, as the lack of nearby synchrotron radiation sources significantly slows down the speed of our research. The launch of the synchrotron will resolve a number of issues related to sample transportation and will allow us to conduct experiments much more frequently, which is critical for the implementation of complex projects in structural biology," added Sergey Arkhipov.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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On January 23, the Yunost Art Residency and NSU held a joint event—the "Eternal Studentship" party. Anyone was welcome to attend, regardless of age or academic background. The organizers noted that this was the first time an event of this format had been held, and according to the guests, it was a success. The party attracted over 120 participants.

"We, the Yunost Art Residency, initiated the event. We contacted NSU, and they supported our idea. We wanted to create an event for students, whether they were students once or never were, but wanted to experience that atmosphere. That's how the concept of 'eternal studenthood' came about. When we were carefully planning the party's format, we included elements that would make people feel like students. Since some of our team are NSU graduates, it was easy to come up with associations with the university," shared Olga Pyanzina, organizer of Yunost's "Eternal Studenthood" party.

All event guests received a record book at the entrance. The main goal was to complete four stations and collect stamps at each one to enter a drawing for NSU merchandise. Each station immersed participants in the atmosphere of their university years. At the first station, guests took a photo for their "student ID," assisted by the NSU Photo Club. At the second station, they drew an exam ticket and answered two general knowledge questions familiar to every student. The third station offered an immersion into the cultures of various countries at an impromptu "Interarbat." The tour concluded with a lecture by Lyudmila Budneva, "Gaudeamus igitur, or How Medieval Students Lived." The evening concluded with a performance by the NSU Music Club.

"We've been long-standing partners with Yunost, and our experience co-organizing the party for Russian Students' Day this year was a success. We didn't expect such a response; over 120 people came. And now we're already thinking about how great it would be to repeat it next year. We've received a lot of feedback, most of it positive; everyone was delighted with Lyudmila Viktorovna's lecture and wants to see more events. The university's student creative clubs always support us in this regard. The students have a ton of ideas, and Yunost could be the perfect venue for them," added Elena Krasilova, Head of the Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work at NSU.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

From January 26 to 29, the 15th Siberian Tournament of Young Physicists (SibTYuF) was held at Novosibirsk State University. Participants were primarily students in grades 8–11 who were interested in physics. This year, 18 teams competed, primarily from Novosibirsk and the Novosibirsk region.

SibTUF is an individual and team competition for high school students in their ability to solve complex research and scientific problems, convincingly present their solutions, and defend them in scientific debates—physical battles. Over the course of three days, all teams participated in qualifying battles, each divided into three rounds, in which teams played one of three roles: Presenter, Opponent, and Reviewer. On the fourth day, the finals were held, with three teams able to advance. The day before the final battle, they chose the problem they would present.

In regular matches, teams were judged by several judges, while the finalists were judged by 15 tournament judges. The panel of judges included representatives from research institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Physics Department, and other departments of Novosibirsk State University, as well as faculty from the Specialized Educational and Scientific Center of NSU and team coaches.

Judges of the Siberian Tournament of Young Physicists, Maxim Fetisov and Sergey Veshtort, are first-year students. Faculty of Physics NSU. Before entering university, they were both on the same team and, starting in 7th grade, participated in many competitions, including at the Siberian Youth University.

"We have extensive tournament experience; we've participated in both regional and national competitions. Over the years, I've visited various universities and interacted with many students and faculty. When the question arose of where to apply, I knew for sure I wanted to study physics. I had a choice between two universities, and I chose NSU because the Physics Department of Novosibirsk State University was the closest to my heart, and even when I came here for tournaments, I'd heard a lot about the Physics Department being one big family. And even later, after graduating, many alumni maintain connections and continue to work together on this big project," says Maxim Fetisov.

For both students, judging the young physicists' tournament is a new experience. They believe that assigning scores is more difficult than participating in the physics competitions. The key is to be objective and able to justify the scores awarded.

"People often approached me and asked me to clarify their scores, asking how they should think about it. I always answered, because I was the same way when I participated in tournaments. The judges were always open to dialogue and happy to explain things. In my opinion, this is very important for the participants, because judges are usually qualified people; they offer advice, point out gaps in the team, and suggest how they can be corrected," adds Sergey Veshtort.

This year's finalists included teams that have long competed in the Siberian Tournament of Young Physicists. Team "Synergy" (where they're from) won the competition with a total score of 46.07. Second place went to the "Beavers" team from Municipal Budgetary Educational Institution "Gymnasium No. 4" in Novosibirsk with a total score of 43.75. Third place went to the "Physikon" team, made up of students from schools in the Iskitim district, including the villages of Lebedevka and Talmenka, as well as the city of Iskitim, with a score of 41.61.

As a reminder, the tournament's winners and runners-up receive bonuses when applying to NSU: first-place winners receive an additional 10 points toward their exams; second- and third-place winners receive an additional 7 points. Students in grades 8-10 receive invitations to the NSU Specialized Educational and Scientific Center's summer school based on their individual championship results.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In the educational and scientific center Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies (IMMT) of NSUConstruction and installation work has been fully completed on the second phase of the new NSU campus, which is being built as part of the "Youth and Children" national project. This includes laying walls and partitions, installing the roof, stained-glass windows, and installing the façade. Over 90% of the external and internal utility lines are complete, and over 40% of the finishing work is complete. Overall, the construction readiness of the facility has exceeded 80%.

"The new educational and research center will enable us to develop new educational programs; it will house practical workshops and laboratories, as well as the largest simulation center for medical training in Siberia. Thanks to its modern infrastructure, we will increase the number of students—the new building will accommodate up to 700. We also plan to increase the number of international students, including students from China," commented Yulia Samoylova, Director of the NSU Institute of Mathematical and Mathematical Technologies.

Fire curtains are currently being installed—these are structural fire safety elements that separate one floor from the others in the event of a fire. A similar system is installed on floors 1-3. Finishing work is underway: ceilings and walls are already complete; electrical wiring and outlets are being installed; door installation has begun.

The main engineering equipment for ventilation and heating has already been installed; work is currently underway to install low-voltage utility networks and automation systems. Future plans include centralized control of all campus life support systems, including academic buildings and dormitories, from a single control room located in NSU's classroom building—a second-stage facility that opened in September 2025.

The sewage pumping station equipment will be installed soon, and installation of process equipment will begin. This is planned to be completed by the end of February, followed by commissioning.

Finishing work is also well underway at the NSU Research Center, the third facility in the second phase. Its construction is 72% complete.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Researchers Advanced Engineering School of Novosibirsk State University (AES NSU) Developed mathematical models and monitoring tools that allow assessing the safety of carbon dioxide (CO₂) disposal in geological formations. The work was conducted under a three-year grant from the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, in collaboration with colleagues from Tongji University (Shanghai, China).

We're talking about CO₂ capture and storage technology, which is considered a promising way to reduce the negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The approach involves injecting carbon dioxide into well-sealed geological structures, including depleted hydrocarbon deposits, and reliably sequestering it there for decades or even hundreds of years. The key objective is to eliminate the risk of gas leaks to the surface.

As Alexander Valov, a research fellow at the NSU School of Physical Analysis, explained, the project focused on the most vulnerable elements of such systems.

"We studied the wellbore and near-wellbore zone stability—that is, scenarios in which its integrity could be compromised and the injected CO₂ would begin to leak out, damaging the space behind the well casing. Our task is to model such risks in advance and propose ways to prevent them," he explained.

Scientists have developed several mathematical models describing possible mechanisms of well failure due to man-made causes. Particular attention was paid to the cement casing, which seals the well and is considered the weakest link in the structure. The models take into account the mechanical and thermal effects that occur during gas injection, as well as scenarios of cement delamination leading to leakage.

At the same time, the team developed monitoring systems to detect leaks at an early stage. Acoustic methods and distributed temperature sensing (DTS)—sensors that detect characteristic noises and temperature changes in the well—were used. The developed approaches were tested on a special experimental rig, which simulated the CO₂ injection process on a scale.

"Experiments have shown that some sensors perform well, while others require higher sensitivity. Based on the results of these experiments and comparisons with the mathematical models we developed, we have developed specific technological recommendations," noted Alexander Valov.

The work was conducted in collaboration with China's Tongji University. The partners focused on the conditions characteristic of basaltic shelves near Shanghai, while the Novosibirsk scientists focused on the geological features of sedimentary rocks common in Russia. This allowed them to cover a wide range of possible CO₂ storage conditions.

A Russian oil and gas company, which views mature wells as potential carbon dioxide storage facilities, has expressed practical interest in the project's results. Tools have been developed for this company to model injection scenarios for specific field parameters and select the safest modes.

"The model is needed precisely to 'play out' various scenarios in advance and understand which ones minimize risks. Specific parameters always depend on the geology and well design," emphasized Alexander Valov.

According to the scientists, the competencies gained during the project can also be used to assess the risk of cement casing failure in cased boreholes and other technological operations that involve intensive wellbore impacts. The developed approaches not only allow for assessing the safety of CO₂ disposal but also for mitigating environmental risks during the development of oil and gas production technologies.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.