Laureates of the VYZOV Prize for Future Technologies Announced

On December 9, the press conference of the VYZOV Prize for Future Technologies took place at the State Tretyakov Gallery to announce laureates of the 2024 Prize. 

The Laureate in the "Future" category is Leonid Fershtat, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Head of the Nitrogen Compound Laboratory at Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor of Joint Department of Organic Chemistry of Higher School of Economics with Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry. He receives the award for advanced research in the field of creation of multipurpose organic functional materials based on high-nitrogen molecular architectures.

The Laureate in the "Engineering Solution" category is Sergey Taskaev, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, head of the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Laboratory at Novosibirsk State University, Principal Researcher at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the FORA Foundation for the Development of Neutron Capture Therapy. He won the VYZOV Prize for the development of a compact accelerator neutron source suitable for a wide range of research applications, including neutron capture therapy.

The Laureate in the "Breakthrough" category is Evgeny Antipov, Doctor of Chemical Sciences; Head of the Department of Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Moscow State University; Professor at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology' Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Co-Laureate: Artem Abakumov, Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Director of the Center for Energy Science and Technology at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), Full Professor at Skoltech. They share the award for the creation of fundamental and practical basis for the development and production of electrode materials for new generation metal-ion batteries.

The Laureate in the international "Discovery" category is Nikos Logothetis, Ph.D. in Human Neurobiology, Director of International Center for Primate Brain Research (ICPBR), Emeritus Director of the Max Plank Institute for Biological Cybernetics. He won the Prize for the fundamental contribution to the development of functional magnetic resonance imaging and its implementation in everyday scientific and clinical practice for studying human brain activity

The Laureate in the "Scientist of the Year" category is Valery Tuchin, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Head of the Laboratory for Laser Diagnostics of Technical and Living Systems at the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Control of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department of Optics and Biophotonics of the Saratov State University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is awarded for outstanding contributions to the field of life sciences, as well as to the new interdisciplinary field of knowledge and technology – biophotonics.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, member of the Supervisory Board of the Vyzov Foundation, commented on the results of the application campaign:

"Technological leadership is one the national goals set by President Vladimir Putin. Our talented inventors help create our own breakthrough technologies. The VYZOV Prize recognizes and supports scientific research and projects. Scientists now have tremendous prospects and opportunities. By 2030, spending on Russian science is expected to reach 2% of GDP, including private funds. The involvement of business community in science is crucial, and the Vyzov Foundation together with the award of the same name are a vivid example of such synergy," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Leonid Shlyakhover, President of the Vyzov Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations, emphasized that the VYZOV Prize has reached new heights with the introduction of the new international category:

"Now there is a great global demand for an unprejudiced, independent, and politically unbiased scientific award. This is why we decided to establish an international "Discovery" category this year. We welcome scholars from all over the world, regardless of their views, citizenship, or nationality. We have received 594 applications, including 112 from 33 foreign countries, including India, China, the USA, France, Italy, Germany, Israel, Australia, and dozens of other countries. This is a vote of confidence in our Prize."

Artem Oganov, Chairman of the VYZOV Prize Scientific Committee, Full Professor at Skoltech, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Member of Academia Europaea, noted the exceptional level of applications filed this year and spoke on the importance of research and projects carried out by the laureates:

"I think that you would agree with me when I say that the people I have mentioned today are truly remarkable scientists who are laying the groundwork for the future of human civilization. As we selected the winners and got to know them better, we at the Scientific Committee of the VYZOV Prize fell in love with them. I hope that you will share this feeling as well," said Artem Oganov after having announced the laureates of the 2024 VYZOV Prize.

Science and technology need business community and government to work together in order to advance forward. Dmitry Zauers, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprombank, Board Member of the Vyzov Foundation, reflected on the benefits of such cooperation both for the businesses and for the entire country:

"Apart from the VYZOV Prize, the Foundation organizes numerous events that promote science by engaging researchers in practice-oriented projects. It creates an expert community of scientists who can provide high-quality expertise to businesses. The projects carried out by the Vyzov Foundation are part of a vast ecosystem that benefits both Gazprombank and the entire country, helping accelerate Russia's technological leadership."

Andrey Timonov, Head of Communications Department at Rosatom State Corporation, shared his thoughts on daring projects in the nuclear industry that will shape the future of humanity. He also noted that the VYZOV Prize enhances the public image of scientists and inspires the younger generation to think in broader and bolder terms:

"People now have forgotten how to dream big, so we need role models who would epitomize success. It is crucial to demonstrate that science, a sphere that is anything but simple, can produce superheroes. One such example is Ilya Semerikov, creator of Russia's most powerful trapped-ion quantum computer and the winner of the 2023 VYZOV Prize. He and other scientists are on a vital mission to inspire and motivate others to dream big."

Konstantin Bogomolov, Art Director of the Bronnaya Theater and Melnikov Stage Theatre, and Director of the VYZOV Prize Awards Ceremony, intrigued the audience with the promise of surprises during the ceremony:

"For the second year in the row, the VYZOV Prize Awards Ceremony will be a grand event: the venue is massive, with huge screens and an unusual seating arrangement. The laureates will walk on stage in a way that will surprise you. We will not have a stage in a traditional sense: there will be multiple stages and not a single stage at the same time. The entire event will be highly immersive, with wonderful artists performing before the presentation of a winner in each category. This will be a performance, a celebration to remember."

During the press conference, an art premiere took place. Pyotr Baranov, renowned sculptor, artist, and art critic, unveiled to the public his latest creation, a statuette that will be awarded to the laureate of the VYZOV Prize in the new international "Discovery" category.

Journalists and guests of the press conference had the opportunity to take an exclusive guided tour organized by the Vyzov Foundation and the Tretyakov Gallery. During the tour, the participants saw firsthand how science and art can benefit from each other, providing new prospects for creativity and scientific exploration.

The VYZOV Prize is given out for science-intensive projects that that can be implemented within up to ten years to significantly improve people's lives. The Prize is awarded in five categories: "Future", "Engineering Solution", "Breakthrough", "Discovery", and "Scientist of the Year".

The VYZOV National Prize for Future Technologies is founded and organized by the Vyzov Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations. Co-Founder of the VYZOV Prize is Gazprombank. Prize partners are Rosatom State Corporation, Roscongress Foundation and the Government of Moscow.