Traditional meeting, new acquaintances

On 4 - 11 June, the 12th International Conference of Young Scientists and Specialists "Alushta-2023" was held at the Dubna Hotel in Alushta. This time, 55 representatives of six countries took part in it.

Science should be fun, engaging and simple.
And such should be scientists.

Petr KAPITSA

Each day was dedicated to the topic of one of the JINR Laboratories. Traditionally for young scientists, the staff members of the Laboratories made reports on the results and implementation of key projects of the Institute, the tasks facing research groups.

JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov talked to the young scientists via video link and spoke about the basic results of the current seven-year period and plans for 2024-2030. Elementary particle physics and nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, radiation research in the life sciences, theoretical physics, accelerator physics and information technologies were listed among the key areas of the Institute's development in the next seven-year period. At the forefront is the development of competitive facilities, therefore, one of the essential goals of the Institute will be the design and development of the new neutron source "Neptune" and the MSC-230 cyclotron.

During the days of the Conference, the reports of young scientists on the topics of their research were presented. The Alushta Conference, along with the AYSS Autumn Conference, is the first qualifying round for the JINR Youth Prizes. Among the nominees based on the results of presentations: Regina Kozhina, Anastasia Kruglyak, Evgeny Mardyban, Dmitry Pugachev, Tatyana Rozhkova, Vladislav Rozhkov, Timofey Smolyaninov.

On behalf of the general Institute services, International Cooperation Advisor to JINR Director Irek Suleymanov made a report on the development of a JINR communication strategy and Kristina Moisenz made a report on the activities of the JINR Press Office. The speech of the Head of the Medical Unit No.9 I.I.Larionova and of the representative of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia E.N.Bambaeva on the road map and plans for the development of institutions continued with a discussion in the round table format.

"It is worth noting that the Alushta Conference is not only a platform for scientific reports," Chairman of the Council of the JINR Association of Young Scientists and Specialists Vladislav Rozhkov said. "In addition to the scientific component, I would like to note that this time, there were a lot of new participants that got to know each other and it will undoubtedly help to develop further horizontal ties and possibly, new interlaboratory projects. According to the average age of the participants, 28 years old, this Conference was the most youthful."

Participants, in addition to reports, lectures and discussions, in their free time were able to visit the protected corners of the Crimea, to organize photo shoots, to listen to songs with a guitar at sunset and to participate in sports games, quizzes, discos.

Readiness number one

Regina Kozhina (LRB): "The list of tasks to be completed is quite impressive, so after a quick snack, we set to work on it. Only late in the evening did we have the opportunity to get together with the whole company, to sit down at a common table and to share our impressions of the trip, to talk and laugh sincerely, we could not do without discussing work tasks and ideas for the upcoming, but for us, already started conference. Our morning the next day started with a joint breakfast, "finishing touches" of preparation and waiting for the arrival of the main group of conference participants. I am writing this essay and the other participants, together with the lecturers, have already boarded the bus at the Simferopol railway station and are moving towards the Dubna Hotel that is now deserted and very quiet ... Just a little more time and the territory will be filled with friendly disputes about science, new acquaintances, heartfelt conversations and ringing laughter!"

At the beginning of glorious deeds

Nikita Fedorov (FLNP): "Crimea met us with sunny and slightly cool weather. After a short search for a meeting point at the Simferopol railway station, the most beautiful part of the journey began - a trip along the picturesque mountain roads to the sea. After the formalities of settling in the hotel and a hearty tasty lunch, many ran to the beach. Someone with a run dived into the muddy water and fought the waves, less strong ones shivered from the cool salty spray and ran away to the sunbeds. The day ended with a traditional party with a disco and dancing ... Only at midnight the participants started to slowly depart. The next day promised to be interesting and productive that means it was worth getting a good night's sleep and have a rest.

A day in the life of a "vacationer"

Olesya Korchagina (IBRAE RAS): "Today, 6 June, was a busy day. We listened to informative and useful plenary reports by Nikita Fedorov and Danila Oleinik. Also detailed reports were presented by the participants of the Conference. They were able to present the peculiarities of their activities in an accessible and understandable language, this is a very important and useful skill. I liked Anastasia Kruglyak's topic and research area in breeding drought-resistant rice crops using radiation. The relevance of the work speaks for itself. In general, the atmosphere of the Conference is friendly, the participants are ready to answer and clarify any question, both within the Conference and outside. In the evening, the organizers pleased us with a science quiz. So special thanks to the organizers, we had a lot of fun arguing, answering questions."

On an optimistic note

Tatyana Rozhkova (MLIT): "The last days before leaving Alushta were filled with relaxation and peace for most, since the main part of the reports and lectures were already behind us and the sea with its pebble beach and roaring waves was too attractive to ignore it... After dinner on Saturday, everyone gathered in a small room above the dining room for the final party in honor of the closing of the Conference. Vladislav Rozhkov and Boris Nikolaevich Gikal presented diplomas to the participants whose reports were recognized by the lecturers as the best in their laboratories.

Many thanks to the organizers for their titanic work, patience and responsiveness. After all, it was thanks to their work that we, the participants and lecturers of the Conference, were able not only to get to know our colleagues at the Institute and learn a little more about their work, but also to spend an unforgettable week at the Dubna Hotel in the beautiful city of Alushta."

Instead of an epilogue

Evgeny Mardyban (BLTP): "In the framework of the Conference, young scientists and specialists presented reports on their papers and research. In addition, the staff members of the Institute gave lectures on the latest achievements of the JINR Laboratories. The Conference was held in a very close interaction of participants and lecturers, there were many questions and discussions. After the topical sections dedicated to each Laboratory, everyone could participate in cultural and entertainment events organized by the programme committee. An important opportunity was to participate in a round table with the representatives of the FMBA and JINR Directorate, to ask questions and make suggestions for the development of the Institute and the city of Dubna. The annual conference in Alushta is a unique opportunity for young scientists and specialists to get to know each other, as well as to learn about the research areas of the Institute and its social life."

Based on information provided by the AYSS