The management of the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences expresses deep condolences to the family and colleagues in connection with the death of the Academician Alexandr Semenovich Donchenko
On November 30, 2025, at the age of 87, after a short illness, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexandr Semenovich Donchenko, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Honored Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation, passed away. From November 2004 to December 2014, Academician Alexandr Semenovich Donchenko occupied the positions of the Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Moscow), the Chairman of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Krasnoobsk).
Alexandr Semenovich Donchenko was born on June 25, 1939, in Chita. He began working as a tractor driver on virgin lands at the Priishimsky state farm in the North Kazakhstan region in 1956. In 1960, he graduated from the accelerated veterinary department of the Lenin Agricultural Technical School of the North Kazakhstan region of the Kazakh SSR, and in 1965 from the Almaty Zooveterinary Institute. After graduating, he held various positions in veterinary institutions across the Kazakh SSR. From 1968 to 1971, he completed his postgraduate studies at the Kazakh Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine. After completing his postgraduate studies, he served for six years as the Director of the Guryev Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine of the All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Guryev, Kazakh SSR).
From 1979, he competed for a position at the Institute of Experimental Veterinary Science of Siberia and the Far East, Siberian Branch of the All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VASKhNIL) in Novosibirsk, where he rose through the ranks from the head of the tuberculosis laboratory to the director of the institute (1996-2013). In recent years, he held the position of the Director of the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
In 1990, he defended his doctoral dissertation, "Tuberculosis in Cattle, Camels, and Sheep." That same year, the Higher Attestation Commission (HAC) under the Council of Ministers of the USSR awarded him the title of professor in veterinary microbiology, the Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences since 1997, the Academician of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences since 2005, and the Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences since 2013 — Department of Agricultural Sciences. Academician A.S. Donchenko is the creator of the technologies, systems, veterinary diagnostic kits, and medications for the prevention and eradication of chronic farm animal infections common in Siberia and beyond. Using biotechnological methods, he co-developed effective test systems for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, leukemia, classical swine fever, infectious rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhea, and maral diseases. He also developed the highly effective anti-tuberculosis drug Niazon for veterinary practice. It has helped eliminate tuberculosis in 60 affected areas, with an economic impact of approximately 130 million rubles. He is also the co-author of the Zugalay sheep breed and the Altai-Sayan maral breed.
For over 20 years, he served as the chairman of the specialized Council for the Defense of Candidate and Doctoral dissertations at the Institute of Experimental Veterinary Science of Siberia and the Far East. Under his scientific supervision, 53 dissertations were defended: 23 doctoral and 30 candidate dissertations.
The results of A.S. Donchenko's research have been published in co-authorship in approximately 900 scientific papers, including 85 monographs, textbooks, teaching aids, 28 reference books, concepts, programs, projects, 80 scientific and methodological recommendations, forecasts, leaflets, 36 copyright certificates, patents, diagnostic test systems, instructions and veterinary regulations, 16 foreign monographs, reference books and articles (Norway, Turkey, Germany, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine). 99 works have been published under A.S. Donchenko's editorship. He was the Editor-in-Chief of the journal "Siberian Herald of Agricultural Science" and a member of the editorial board of four scientific journals (one foreign).
In 2014, he was elected a member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He served on the Bureau of the Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the Coordination of the Activities of Regional Branches and Regional Research Centers of the Russian Academy of Sciences, was the Deputy Chairman of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for Science, a member of the Presidium of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and a member of the Agricultural Academies of the Republics of Mongolia and Kazakhstan. He received the Golden Honorary Badge "Heritage of Siberia." Academician Donchenko was twice elected to the Novosibirsk Regional Council (1999–2002, 2002–2005), where he worked on scientific issues of agricultural production, natural resource development, and environmental protection in the Novosibirsk Region.
He was awarded the Order of Honor, the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (IV and III classes), the medal "For the Development of Virgin and Fallow Lands," and other medals: the Academician S.N. Vyshelessky Gold Medal, the T.S. Maltsev Medal, and the badge "For Merit in the Development of Science." He was given several medals from the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy (VDNKh) and the All-Russian Exhibition Center (VVC), and the "Honorary Farmer" badge. He was also awarded the public award of the Order of Peter the Great, 1st Class (from the Academy of Security, Defense, and Law Enforcement), the "Honored Worker of Agriculture of Mongolia" and the "Honored Worker of Science of Mongolia" medal, and was awarded the "90th Anniversary of the Mongolian People's Revolution" medal.
For many years, Alexandr Semenovich oversaw scientific areas of agricultural science in Siberia, including animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, and agricultural processing, actively pursuing the implementation of scientific developments in agricultural production. His research focused on the issues of zoonotic diseases in domestic animals, the creation of scientifically sound technologies in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, the development of veterinary diagnostics, specific animal disease protection systems, the creation of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapeutics, immunomodulators, veterinary devices, and the selection of types and breeds of farm animals (sheep, antler deer, and yaks). His achievements have rightfully been recognized with numerous departmental and state awards. Alexandr Semenovich's entire life is a shining example of selfless service to science, endless devotion to his chosen field, and fidelity to his ideals and convictions. He trained thousands of specialists working throughout the country. He was distinguished by his high level of professionalism, optimism, and humanity.
This is a tremendous loss for the Russian science. For us, this is an irreparable loss. He was not only an outstanding scientist but also a wonderful person, always ready to help. Alexandr Semenovich was a talented leader, responsive and attentive to his employees. He will always be an example of boundless dedication to his profession and wisdom. We will forever remember his boundless energy, cheerfulness, and high moral character, and we will cherish his outstanding intellect, talent, and contribution to science. We will forever cherish the memory of Alexandr Semenovich, our gratitude for his work, and we will be proud to have worked under his leadership. The fond memory of this energetic and cheerful man will remain in our hearts, and his name will be etched in the history of the Russian science. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to all who knew and valued him. We mourn with you and share the pain of your loss.
Blessed be the memory of Alexandr Semenovich.