Alexander Gavrilovich Glotov, Doctor of Science in Veterinary Medicine, Professor, and the Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences was appointed head of the Institute of Experimental Veterinary Science of Siberia and the Far East, a structural division of the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences by the decision of the Academic Council of the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
- Alexander Gavrilovich, you recently took over as head of the Institute. What are your main challenges in the near future?
- My primary goal is to maintain the institute's scientific potential and further develop it. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals representing various scientific specialties: infectious pathology, pharmacology, veterinary economics, diseases of cattle and small ruminants, horses, small domestic animals, birds and fish, reproductive pathology, etc.
Our institute is renowned not only in Siberia and the Far East, but also throughout Russia thanks to the outstanding scientists such as Academician Alexander Semenovich Donchenko of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as our scientific achievements and developments. The main challenges we face today are the resurgence of some infectious diseases and the emergence of the previously unknown new ones. Therefore, we must now support and develop our key areas of research related to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, and other currently relevant diseases. Viral and bacterial infections in cattle and small ruminants are also of particular importance.
One of the key areas of our research is the molecular diagnostics of viral and bacterial infections, and work in the field of molecular epizootology. Today, we have four laboratories working in this area. For example, we have a strong biotechnology laboratory/diagnostic center, a bird disease laboratory, a molecular biology sector, a young animal diseases laboratory, and a leukemia laboratory. These laboratories have been working for many years in relevant scientific and practical areas, have registered developments, and participate in scientific grants and government programs.
It's also important to develop new areas, such as fish disease research, which is currently quite relevant and linked to import substitution. We intend to strengthen these areas and purchase modern equipment. Traditionally, we will continue our long-standing collaboration with SFSCA RAS institutes, the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), research institutes in the CIS and BRICS countries, SRC VB "Vector," FSBSI FRC ARRIEVM RAS, and many others.
SFSCA RAS plans to host the XXVIII International Scientific and Practical Forum "AGRARIAN SCIENCE to AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN THE CIS AND BRICS", dedicated to the memory of the RAS Academician A.S. Donchenko, on February 26-27 of this year, in which our institute will directly participate. We still maintain scientific and practical ties with farms in the region.
- How do you plan to attract to work young professionals and postgraduates?
- I sincerely hope that our institute will attract more young specialists—undergraduate and graduate students. It's important to attract young people to research and practical experience in veterinary medicine. There are already good examples of how our scientists teach students, and this is instrumental in developing our human resources. I'd like to see young people not only pursue careers in veterinary medicine but also actively participate in research. I believe it's crucial to maintain the resources of laboratories that use expensive reagents and equipment. I sincerely hope that the management of the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences will find a way to further develop the Institute of Experimental Veterinary Science of Siberia and the Far East. Addressing the challenges facing domestic livestock, poultry, and fish farming is becoming strategically important today. We've seen the tragic consequences of ignoring scientific research and disrupting established relationships. Russia is a powerful agricultural power, and to live up to this status, government support is essential. And we have experience, knowledge, deep scientific traditions, and talented young people—we have it all! I'm confident we'll succeed!