Published on: 2026-05-20
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Today, the new campus of Novosibirsk State University became a venue for scientific tours — a project implemented by the “VYZOV” fund. This year, the geography of the tour has doubled compared to the last season. Now the program includes8 Russian cities: Tula, Kazan, Ufa, Perm, Nizhny Novgorod, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Tomsk. Laureates of the “VYZOV” award give lectures.
In Novosibirsk, scientific tours are held for the second time, but for the first time at the new campus of NSU — in the heart of Akademgorodok, one of Russia’s leading scientific and educational centers. Laureate of the “VYZOV” award in the nomination “Discovery”, professor of the University of Southern CaliforniaValery Fokinread the lecture «From molecule to man: the nature of a scientific discovery“.
The scientist built his story around an intriguing question: how is an invention born? The answer, hinted to Fokin by personal experience, turned out to be unexpected: it’s all about intuition. Back in 2002, the chemist decided to conduct an experiment out of curiosity, expecting no results, but ultimately discovered the CuAAC reaction. Now this development is the gold standard of click-chemistry. With its help, it is possible to quickly, almost without side products, “sew” molecular blocks together. The discovery contributed to the development of biomedicine, stimulating the emergence of new drugs and diagnostic methods.
Valery Fokin noted that Novosibirsk received him warmly. And the scientist’s goal during his stay at NSU was to inspire as many listeners as possible to show curiosity towards science:
—I feel at home in Novosibirsk. It is a very interesting, unique place where great science originated. I hope this is my first, but not the last visit here. My lecture is more of a story about the history of discoveries, about what science does for society in our time. My main goal is to engage, to convey information in more accessible words, because the audience is mixed, having a relationship not only to chemistry, biology, medicine. I wanted to share our developments, discoveries, and tell why being involved in science is interesting, pleasant, and great.
Rector of NSU, Corresponding Member of the RASDmitry Pyshnyemphasized the special significance of scientific workshops for the university and its students:
—We are very pleased that Novosibirsk has entered the list of 8 cities where scientific tours of laureates of the “VYZOV” award are held. And I am especially glad that they took place right within the walls of Novosibirsk State University, the forge of personnel for the Novosibirsk scientific center and for all Russian science. I am confident that Valery Fokin’s lecture ignited the minds and hearts of our young scientists and demonstrated that by delving into fundamental things, one can make a great discovery. This is very important.
In 2024, a Novosibirsk scientistSergey Taskaevbecame the laureate of the “VYZOV” award in the nomination “Engineering Solution.” And last year Novosibirsk region entered the top five leading regions by the number of applications sent. According to the words of the vice-governorIrina Manuilova, this confirms that science and innovation are an unconditional priority for the region.
—The venue we have chosen for today’s event, Novosibirsk State University, is no coincidence — a federal project is being implemented in the country, within the framework of which modern campuses are being built around leading universities, which today effectively become centers of scientific and experimental activity, uniting students and scientists, corporations, and high-tech companies. Here, new ideas, new discoveries, and a new scientific elite are born — future laureates of the “VYZOV” prize.Well, of course, this year is special for us, preparing for the launch of the Siberian Circular Photon Source — this is a new “megascience” class installation, an installation that will undoubtedly become a new tool for our scientists to implement the largest-scale projects and scientific hypotheses., — she saidIrina Manuilova.
The tours of the laureates of the “VYZOV” award are coming to an end. The final lectures this season will take place in Tomsk already at the end of this week.
About the “VYZOV” Award
The National Award in the field of future technologies “VYZOV” was established in accordance with the directive of the President of Russia in 2023 within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology. It recognizes innovative, breakthrough ideas and inventions that are transforming the landscape of modern science and human life.
At the award5 nominations: “Perspective”(awarded to young scientists under 35 years old for a scientific achievement that influenced the dynamics of the development of science and technology),“Engineering solution”(for an important invention and the creation of a new technology),“Breakthrough”(for the study that made it possible to solve an important scientific or technological problem),Discovery/«Opening»(international nomination for foreign scientists and Russians living abroad, for an important discovery that influenced the development of world science and technology),“Scientist of the Year”(for the total personal contribution that changed the landscape of science and technology).
The organizer and founder of the award is the “Vyzov” Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations. The co-founder is Gazprombank. Partners include the state corporation “Rosatom”, the “Roscongress” Foundation, and the Government of Moscow.
You can apply for the “VYZOV” award until May 25 on the websitepremiavyzovov.rf
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