Assessment from the Chief Scientist

Professor Alexander Kubankin, the head of the Radiation Physics Laboratory, demonstrated his work, and his team explained the research they were doing at the moment. The Lab is working closely with the Lebedev Physical Institute, and German scientists from the DarkSide project, which is looking at dark matter. Dr Sergeyev then visited Professor Rustam Kaibyshev at the Mechanical Properties of Nanostructured and Heat Resistant Materials Laboratory. The team there is currently working on methods to reduce friction, thereby extending the life of engines.

The Governor then chaired a meeting of all the interested parties from government, business and academia in our designated area for research – agro-industry. There were video links to the more remote district leaders, who heard from the country's top scientist on the vision President Putin has for these Centres. He shared his impressions of our local industries, particularly the EFKO Group, the Agro-Belogorye Group, and Premix Plant No. 1, who have their own R&D teams.

After the meeting, Governor Savchenko took Dr Sergeyev around the University's Botanical Gardens, alongside Professor Oleg Polukhin, Rector of the University. The Rector briefed our guests on the biotechnological research being undertaken at the facility, a subject close to the Rector's heart. The genetic engineering and plant breeding programs conducted there are opening up a new area of commerce for the Region.