The University of Industrial Technologies and Design closely intertwines applied and theoretical research, the natural sciences and the humanities, so every inquiring mind finds its path and is supported by its scientific interests. But how do you become a part of the scientific world? We invite you to read the memories of the University of Industrial Technologies and Design scientists about why they chose this difficult but very interesting way.
Alexander Alexandrovich Lysenko, head of the department of nanostructured, fiber and composite materials by A.Meos, Dr. of technical sciences, professor:
— My father, Alexander Ivanovich, defended his diploma during the war. He carried all drawings for this diploma and texts with him in the tank. When his tank was shot down, the first thing he did was to save his diploma work. After the war he worked as a leading engineer in one of the design institutes in Leningrad. My mother, Klavdia Dmitrievna, a graduate of our institute, completed her dissertation under the supervision of Alexander Ivanovich Meos, right next to his office. Sometimes when I was a child she brought me to work, since there was nobody to leave me with. Alexander Ivanovich himself thought that I should graduate from the Department of Chemistry, our department. And so it happened. Not only was I quite inquisitive, my desk journals, thanks to my father, were «Science and Life» and later «Technique of Youth» and «Chemistry and Life:. And at school my favorite book was «General Chemistry» by N. Glinka. I graduated with honors from the Institute and was assigned to a problem laboratory. By the end of school, I knew English pretty well, and then life made me learn French, too. Knowledge of English and French helped and still helps me to read publications and books, to conduct conferences, and to communicate with foreign colleagues.
Eduard Lvovich Akim, head of the Department of Cellulose and Composite Materials Technology of the Higher School of Technical Sciences, Professor, Dr. of Technical Sciences:
— First of all, science is interesting. When you manage to come up with something new and then it starts working somewhere, let alone being implemented in production, you get a huge inner satisfaction. Secondly, teachers are very important. When I was in eighth grade, I joined the chemistry club at the Palace of Pioneers in Leningrad. We were involved in the department of analytical chemistry at the Institute of Technology. In
Konstantin Georgievich Ivanov, Head of the Department of Physics, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor:
— I followed in the footsteps of my father Ivanov Georgy Alexandrovich, Dr. of physics and mathematics, professor, head of the department of physics at the Gertsen Pedagogical Institute, a
Olga Alexandrovna Dmitrienko, professor at the Department of Book Publishing and Book Trade at the Higher School of Press and Media Technology SUITD, assistant professor:
— Much of my research focuses on Nabokov’s poetics and mythopoetics, his metaphysics, the theme of memory, and the intermediality of his texts. Probably every Nabokovian has his own personal love story of discovering Nabokov. For me this story began in the late 1980s, at the dawn of Perestroika, when Nabokov returned to the Russian reader. It was love at first sight — such a miracle of recognition, of coincidence. My childhood visual memories coincided with the transparent,
Alexander Leonidovich Ashkalunin, Executive Director of the Higher School of Technology and Energy, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the Higher School of Technology and Energy, Ph. D. in physics and mathematics:
— Why did I decide to go into science? First of all, this type of occupation in those years was considered almost the most prestigious. After eighth grade, I went to school № 239, perhaps the strongest physics and mathematics school in Leningrad (now the 239th Presidential Lyceum). It is an amazing and most interesting environment for students: ten tenth and ten ninth graders from all over the city and a unique team of teachers. And it does not matter that every day I drove from Pushkin to the embankment of the Moika River and back. Then I got a diploma from the city math Olympiad, and after graduation — the physics department of A. Zhdanov Leningrad State University (now St. Petersburg State University). And where else? There was no higher brand and complexity of study. How did I end up in the physics department of the Leningrad Institute of Pulp and Paper Industry? It was headed by Professor Karapetyan, who had received the State Prize of the USSR for developing a neodymium laser as part of a group of scientists from Vavilov State Optical Institute. As a student, I worked for two years at this institute in the laser department. For me, these scientists were celestials. And so it went on…
Marina Nikolaevna Titova, Head of the Department of Management, Doctor of Economics, Professor:
— The family traditions in the sphere of science were preserved, but their vector changed completely: my interests were defined when it became possible to combine the priority scientific theories and provisions with the processes of transformation taking place both on the macroeconomic level and at the enterprises of textile and light industry in St. Petersburg. Thus, the model of dynamic, including cyclical, changes, transformation, restructuring, which was continued in the concept of synergistic effects of complex organizational and economic systems and the hypothesis of their fractal states. The currently realized model of creativity also fits into the mentioned methodologies which from the point of view of management contains high added value, novelty and customization that undoubtedly corresponds to the Industry 4.0 objectives.
Nikolay Petrovich Midukov, Head of the Department of Engineering Graphics and
— Thanks to my favorite occupation — science — I get real pleasure. I enjoy going to work just as much as going on vacation with my family, visiting a restaurant or museum, or working out in the gym. I sympathize with those people who sit «from bell to bell» at work, waiting for the weekend. I like science, because I choose my own research topic, which, as a rule, is supported by the university management. I myself plan the work, form a team and coordinate the execution. I get real pleasure from the fact that I realized myself as a scientist, and in front of me — ample opportunities for further growth.
Doing science, I always feel like a small part of the huge scientific world, discoveries, achievements, new technologies. It is pleasant to know the history of the development of science in the sphere of my interests, to predict the near future and to really assess the place of my discoveries in the scientific environment. It became especially pleasant to be involved in scientific research when the projects went to the international level. It’s great to be at the world’s leading university, knowing that you have
Natalya Nikolaevna Koznova, professor at the Department of Journalism and Media Technology at the Higher School of Press and Media Technology SUITD, associate professor, Ph. D. in Philology:
— What is science: occupation, profession or vocation? This question has been asked at least once by anyone who has devoted his or her life to scientific activity. It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer. «At the dawn of our youth," we go to college to gain knowledge for our future profession. In the process of learning, there is an interest in a certain direction, theme, or problem. It is this direction that you want to deepen and expand further, devoting more and more time to scientific work, opening up more and more new horizons. At a certain moment you begin to realize that you know much more in this field than your professional duties require from you, and more than what your interest in the unknown dictates. But you cannot stop learning because it has become the meaning of your life. Lermontov’s lines come to mind: «And he rebelliously asks for a storm, as if there were peace in storms." The magical meaning of these lines is that movement itself, even through storms and tempests, is much better than peace, because it is life itself, and peace, immobility — the finality of life. René Descartes asserted, «I think, therefore I exist». To paraphrase, «I do science, so I live.
Raisa Vitkovskaya, Deputy Director of the Institute of Applied Chemistry and Ecology for Scientific Work, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor:
— My love for chemistry began at school. Our chemistry teacher was strict and demanding, but this did not hinder but contributed to my desire to learn the interesting world of chemical transformations and mysterious reactions. That is why, after finishing school in 1966 I entered the
Elena Yurievna Demyantseva, Associate Professor at the Department of Physical and Colloidal Chemistry at the Higher School of Technology and Energy, PhD in Chemistry:
— If we start from the beginning, the thought of science and scientists first settled in my mind after reading Kaverin’s novel «The Open Book» about the life of
Darya Alexandrovna Petrova, associate professor at the department of nanostructured, fibrous and composite materials named after
— My path to science began in my childhood. At the age of 4–5 I was dismantling everything that came to hand, but at the same time I remember well that I also tried to assemble everything back. Of course, I rarely succeeded, but my curiosity stayed with me for many years. When I saw the specialty «Technology of production of chemical fibers and composite materials on their basis» when I was entering the university my curiosity took its toll because I did not know anything about composite materials. Then there was the acquaintance with the chemical laboratory, search of the scientific literature, planning of the experiment and so on. All this was extremely fascinating, and the years spent for scientific research flew by with interest and excitement. Now I am a PhD candidate and associate professor in a department that inspires students and instills in them an interest in science.
Taisia Vladimirovna Rabush, associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences, PhD in History:
— When I enrolled in the history department of St. Petersburg State University (now the Institute of History) right after high school, I had no clear idea what exactly, what subject I would like to study in detail. At school, I liked history as a subject, but without reference to any historical figure, era, or country. According to the assignment between departments, I was supposed to become a specialist in the history of the Byzantine Empire. But in the reading room of the university library I quite accidentally came across a book by D. Gaius and
Linda Rychikh, associate professor of printing equipment and management at the Higher School of Press and Media Technology SUITD, D. in Economics, Associate Professor:
— Since childhood, I have been fascinated by the buildings of research institutes and universities. When my mother and I rode the streetcar past the Research Institute in the evening, I gazed with sincere admiration at its large windows, in which the neon light was burning cozily. There, behind them, was an incredibly wonderful, special world beyond my reach: in one window the silhouettes of people in bright robes flashed, in another some discussion was going on at the table, and in the third, through the
Yana Aleksandrovna Aleksandrova, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Monumental Art, PhD in Art History:
— The topic of my scientific interests is hot enamel. It all began with the fact that, studying at the department of metal in the Stieglitz Academy, I have always wanted to combine color and metal. Performing my first independent enamel in the third year I understood that this was exactly what I had been lacking when working with metal. I fell in love with the material and its possibilities so much that I wanted to learn the secrets of the old masters and the modern enamellers. My study of the literature on the history of development of enamel art showed that there is no information at all about the works of enamellers of St. Petersburg working in the field of easel enamel, including those of my teachers, whose works I admired, except for small articles in the catalogs of exhibitions. Faced with this problem, I wanted to describe the creative biography of my enamel teachers on the basis of their memories. This was probably the reason why I continued my