The press tour started with a briefing in which the Head of the Republic of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov took part. He stressed that the republic has a great industrial and scientific potential and that the outputs of Karelian scientists are used to promote the region’s development priorities.
– We have a very strong research center of the Russian Academy of Sciences with its rich history – which is also an interesting topic for scientific tourism, – said Artur Parfenchikov.
He specifically mentioned the unique collections available at KarR RAS, including the collections of geological specimens and of curly birch, highlighted the developments in reforestation, ecological studies and investigation of human impact on the environment.
A more detailed presentation of the Karelian Research Centre RAS during the briefing was given by its Deputy Director General Dr. Yuri Zaika. He highlighted the key research topics of all the Centre’s institutes and the Department for Multidisciplinary Research.
– Our characteristic feature is the interdisciplinary approach to basic and applied research, – Yuri Zaika summed up.
Moving on to the press-tour agenda, KarRC RAS Deputy Director General told about the first popular-science tour developed by geologists and named the promising destinations for continuing the program: “the Federal Register of Popular-Science Tourism Destinations includes the Abnormal Wood Collection, Archaeological Museum, Arboretum, Museum of Precambrian Geology, and Museum of Applied Environmental Research”.
KarRC RAS Deputy Director General Yuri Zaika presented the Karelian Research Centre RAS
Other speakers at the briefing were Chief Producer of National Priorities NPO Gleb Fyodorov and Petrozavodsk State University’s Vice Rector for Research Vladimir Syunyov.
On the same day of the press tour, journalists visited units of the Karelian Research Centre RAS. Researchers of the Institute of Geology introduced the guests to the work of the institute in general and its Analytical Center in particular.
Specialists at the Analytical Center conduct various analyses of geological materials and samples. This is done using modern equipment, such as KYKY EM6900L electron microscope. Instead of light, it uses electrons to examine a sample, offering a thousand times greater resolution than a traditional optical microscope. The device is fitted with a set of detectors that can measure the elemental composition of the sample. Due to the high-quality work of the specialists and the modern equipment the Karelian scientists’ research results are up to global standards and get published in reputable international journals.
Junior Researcher of the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS Alexander Fyodorov demonstrating how an electron microscope works
The guests also learned about the topics and targets studied by specialists at the Laboratory of Plant and Animal Parasitology of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS. According to the Head of the Laboratory, Sergei Bugmyrin, parasitological research has been conducted at the institute for over 70 years. Specialists study parasites from various taxonomic groups of animals and plants in the European North, investigating the biogeographical and populational-ecology aspects of the functioning of parasitic systems in aquatic and terrestrial communities. In particular, Sergei Bugmyrin told the journalists about the research on ixodid ticks, noting that their range is expanding due to climate change.
Senior Researcher of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS Anna Sushchuk
Senior Researcher of the laboratory Anna Sushchuk shared the results of research on nematodes – roundworms inhabiting nearly all of the Earth’s environments. Karelian parasitologists have been studying soil nematodes for many years. They are currently implementing a project focusing on the effect of Sosnowsky giant hogweed on soil nematode communities. From the basic science perspective, its results provide new insights into the soil organisms’ distribution patterns and their relationships with plants. The applied aspect is testing of various methods to control and eliminate the hogweed, and assessment of their effectiveness and impact on soil ecosystems.
The meeting with parasitologists was arranged at the KarRC RAS Museum of Applied Environmental Research – another popular-science tourism destination in Karelia. The mission of this educational center – popularization of science among citizens of all age groups – was presented by its Director Alexandra Smirnova.
On the second day of the press tour the guests toured the main destinations of Karelia’s first popular-science tourist route. Staff of the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS Svetlana Egorova, Viktoria Ustinova, Arsenii Lezzhov provided detailed descriptions of the natural sites showcasing the history of our planet. The participants visited Chyortov Stool locality, the Hare Valley, Mount Sampo, Martial Waters spa resort, Girval paleovolcano, and Kivach nature reserve.
Press tour participants at Girvas paleovolcano
Photos: Denis Milyutin / National Priorities NPO
