Moscow Kremlin Putin
On the eve of Russian Science Day, Vladimir Putin awarded the winners of the Presidential Prizes in Science and Innovation. The special feature of the prize is that the nominee must not be older than 35, which is basically considered childhood among scientists. It's not just support for science but an investment in the future.
Let's take a look at the faces of the young scientists. There's no division into digitheads and humanists. They're both digitheads and humanists, the new face of Russian science. They will be making that breakthrough the president was talking about. However, these particular people have already made a breakthrough.
- How many neurons are you going to lose here today?
Vyacheslav Dyachuk: I believe at least a hundred.
- Are you going to replenish them?
- Sure.
He discovered a way to replenish neurons and received his award in the Kremlin. On that day, other winners could've used his method as well.
- I think getting your tie right is the most exciting part.
- That's right. I don't wear ties that often.
- Which one of you knows how to tie it?
- Definitely not me.
- It must be me, he can't tie it for sure. Just need to make the right knot.
- Will you be able to tie it now?
- We managed to win a prize, the tie won't be a problem.
Prize-winner Viktor Zharkov felt something was wrong with his suit. He asked to check if it was okay. He claims he wasn't that emotional even when he made his discovery.
Viktor Zharkov, prize-winner: There's no time to think, you just do it. And now, I just…
- How can a scientist have no time to think?
- The thoughts automatically rush through my brain. They just rush through.
The winners go up the Shokhin Stairs of the Senate Palace towards Ekaterininsky Hall where the most important and solemn ceremonies are held. It's a moment the young scientists will remember for the rest of their lives. On the first row of chairs, they discovered paper slips with their names on them and hid them in their pockets without thinking much. Almost everyone did that.
"I'm going to frame it and hang it at home".
- Come sit behind me.
- I'll sit right here.
But before taking her seat, she fixed her husband's hair.
They're quoted by science magazines around the world and they're all younger than 35.
Vladimir Putin: “These results were achieved by young researchers. It means that we have a bright future, a powerful foundation, and interesting, promising, and reliable reserves.”
In a Moscow hotel, Yekaterina Grizanova was preparing for the award ceremony with her husband and three-month-old child. Come here. Come on, do your thing. Her discovery will help shield plants from pest insects without spraying harmful substances on the crops. Her colleagues suggested that she apply for the prize.
Yekaterina Grizanova, prize-winner: "We were so happy about our child's birth, we forgot about the prize. I was on maternity leave when I received the invitation".
Biology research Vyacheslav Dyachuk will help cure serious neurological conditions.
- How are your neurons doing?
Vyacheslav Dyachuk: They're replenishing.
Ivan Oseledets knows how to process giant, massive sets of mathematical data. His method has already been included in matrix analysis textbooks.
Vladimir Putin: "Math is at the core of everything".
- Could you have accurately predicted that you'd win using your method?
Ivan Oseledets: Well, I was sure I'd win.
- How did the tie look?
- Not bad at all.
Viktor Zharkov and Eugeny Gorlov were working day and night but managed to develop a remotely-operated device that senses even the smallest explosive particles. It's 1,000 times more accurate than any analogue in the world.
Eugeny Gorlov, prize-winner: One can overcome all hardships if there's motivation.
- What kind of hardships?
- Coming home late.
- Oh, so it's not like you have, say, a bad laboratory?
- No.
- Or a small paycheck?
- Those aspects are fine. Our laboratory is great, I'd even say the best.
Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of Kurchatovsky Institute: "They're smart, young, they speak well, look good, and say the right things".
In order to increase the number of those who can make the breakthrough possible, the country is launching the development of world-class science and research centers.
Vladimir Putin: "They will first be built in the regions where science and its achievements are particularly important for socio-economic development, including Siberia and the Far East".
The material incentives for young scientists will become more tangible.
- Starting next year, the prize will be 5 million rubles, right?
Andrey Fursenko, Presidential Aide: That's right. These guys got unlucky in some sense.
- 2.5 million isn't bad either.
- Yeah.
"I don't believe that it's their last award or their last accomplishment".
The accomplishments of modern Russian science are starting to form a pattern rather than being a series of accidents.
