The University’s staff, students and graduates become laureates of the St Petersburg Government’s Youth Prize

The winner of the award in the field of science and technology was Irina Timofeeva, Professor in the Department of Analytical Chemistry at St Petersburg University, winner of the Russian President’s Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists. 

The research team she leads is actively researching the development of green analytical chemistry methods that can be used for both domestic and industrial applications (Chemist from St Petersburg University is the winner of the Young, Daring, and Promising competition).

In recent years, we have developed a number of practical and environmentally friendly methods for the determination of toxic substances (pesticides, antibiotics, preservatives and hormones) in food, and proposed ways to reduce the use of reagents and the waste generated in production facilities using flow-chemical analysis.

Irina Timofeeva, Professor in the Department of Analytical Chemistry at St Petersburg University, winner of the Russian President’s Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists

Irina Timofeeva added that the research will not only improve the accuracy and speed of analysis, but also significantly reduce the negative impact on the environment and make production processes more sustainable and environmentally friendly. 

In 2017, Irina Timofeeva was awarded the title of Laureate of the Russian Academy of Sciences Prize for Young Scientists for outstanding scientific achievements. In 2022, the chemist was awarded the St Petersburg Government Prize in the field of research and education. In the same year, she received the prestigious President of the Russian Federation Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists, which is a high recognition of her contribution to the development of modern science and technology. In addition to these awards, Irina Timofeeva, Professor of St Petersburg University, holds many other honorary titles that testify to her high professionalism and significant achievements in chemistry.

Rodion Reznik, Senior Research Associate in the Department of Solid State Physics, Head of the Laboratory of New Semiconductor Materials for Quantum Informatics and Telecommunications at St Petersburg University, was also recognised as a winner in the Science and Technology category. The scientist synthesises new nanostructures, studies their properties and potential practical applications, and investigates the interaction of novel materials with the environment and their resistance to external influences.

Our developments enable the production of high quality semiconductor nanostructures of different compositions and geometries with predetermined properties, which in turn enable the creation of future materials for next generation devices in quantum technology, renewable energy sources, power electronics, optoelectronics, microelectronics, medicine, and others.

Rodion Reznik, Senior Research Associate in the Department of Solid State Physics, Head of the Laboratory of New Semiconductor Materials for Quantum Informatics and Telecommunications at St Petersburg

Previously, the physicist was awarded a scholarship of the President of the Russian Federation (2017-2018) and the Medal of the Russian Academy of Sciences for Young Scientists (2019). In 2020, Rodion Reznik received the Alferov Scholarship, which is awarded for outstanding achievements in physics and nanotechnology and is a symbol of recognition of exceptional scientific merit. In 2022, the scientist was awarded the Euler Prize. In 2023, he received commendation from the Committee on Science and Higher Education for his contribution to the development of scientific research. 

Viktoriia Berednikova, a doctoral student at St Petersburg University and commander of the Ingria student search party at St Petersburg University, won the Youth Prize in the category of civic and national education. During her eight years with the student search party, she organised 20 field search expeditions (Memory Watch) to the sites of the Battle for Leningrad.

I have personally found 37 Red Army soldiers, two of whom have been identified. I also read the identity discs of soldiers found by other members of search parties. In the last three years, I have established more than 20 names.

Viktoriia Berednikova, commander of the Ingria student search party at St Petersburg University

She combines her practical activity with research activity at the Institute of the History of the Defence and Siege of Leningrad, writing her doctoral dissertation, and military-patriotic education of schoolchildren: she regularly meets with students, telling them about the heroic deeds of soldiers and the importance of preserving historical memory. 

Ilkin Mamedov, a graduate of St Petersburg University, who studied law at the University, won the St Petersburg Government’s Youth Prize in the category of sports. Ilkin Mamedov is a master of sports of Russia in kickboxing, four-time champion of St Petersburg and the Northwestern Federal District of Russia, champion of Russia, winner of the Cup of Russia, champion of the SCO countries, winner of the World Cup, and a member of the Russian national team in 2023-2024. 

The award ceremony took place on Youth Day at the My St Petersburg exhibition, which was held under the motto "St Petersburg is Opportunity".