On 24 April 2023, Advisor to the Directorate of the Meshcheryakov Laboratory of Information Technologies JINR, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, Professor, Honoured Scientist of the Russian Federation Igor Viktorovich Puzynin turns 85.

After graduating from the MSU Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics in 1960, I. V. Puzynin was assigned for work at the Laboratory of Theoretical Physics JINR. Igor Victorovich’s entire scientific activity, lasting more than 60 years, is inextricably linked with JINR. At JINR, he worked his way up from a senior laboratory assistant with a higher education to the Director of Laboratory of Information Technologies.

Igor Victorovich Puzynin is a well–known scientist in computational and applied mathematics. Under his leadership, JINR has developed a scientific area for the creation, theoretical justification, and practical implementation of computational physics methods for the numerical study of nonlinear multiparametric models of complex physical systems. The most important contribution to the development of this scientific area is the development of a unified approach for the numerical analysis of boundary and spectral problems for systems of nonlinear multiparametric differential and integro-differential equations based on the generalisation of the continuous analogue of Newton’s method. Thanks to the development of this approach, a number of important physical results have been obtained in the theory of muon catalysis, the theory of the nucleus, nonlinear problems of quantum chromodynamics and condensed matter physics.

I. V. Puzynin headed the work on mathematical and software support for theoretical calculations under the Programme of research on the phenomenon of muon catalysis approved by a joint decision of the USSR State Committee on the Utilisation of Atomic Energy and the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He co-directed the Institute’s topic “Theoretical and experimental research on the electronuclear method of energy production and transmutation of radioactive waste”. At present, he heads the area of the development of mathematical models and methods, algorithms and programmes for the numerical study of processes arising from the irradiation of materials using particle beams.

Working as the Deputy Director and then as the (first) Director of the Laboratory of Information Technologies, I. V. Puzynin made a great contribution to the convergence of the scientific interests of theoretical and experimental physicists from different JINR laboratories with specialists in numerical analysis and computer processing of experimental information. In addition, he made a huge contribution to the updating and modernisation of the JINR computer network infrastructure and improving the professional level of network support specialists.

Professor I. V. Puzynin made a major contribution to the training of the scientific staff. In 1968 – 1980, he taught at the Department of Theoretical Nuclear Physics of the MSU Faculty of Physics. Since 1991, he has been a professor at the Faculty of Mathematics of Tver State University. For many years, Igor Victorovich has been a member and deputy chairman of the MLIT Dissertation Council. Under his supervision, 8 doctoral and 11 Ph.D theses were defended, two of his students became academicians of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. I. V. Puzynin is the author of more than 300 scientific publications. He is an Honorary Professor of Tver State University, an Honorary Doctor of the University of Plovdiv (Bulgaria), and an Honorary Professor of the National University of Mongolia.

Igor Victorovich Puzynin was awarded the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland”, II degree, the medals “Veteran of Labour” and “In memory of the 850th anniversary of Moscow”. In addition, he received the departmental insignia in the work “Veteran of Nuclear Energy and Industry”, Certificates of Honour of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, JINR and Dubna, an Honorary Diploma of JINR. Besides, he has an Honorary title “Honoured Worker of Science of the Russian Federation”, the title “Honorary Employee of JINR”. He received the medal “50 years of Poland’s participation in JINR”, the Gold Medal of the Technical University of Kosice (Slovakia), the medal “Friendship” (Mongolia). In 2021, I. V. Puzynin was awarded the Order of the Polar Star by the decree of the President of Mongolia.

For more than sixty years, Igor Victorovich has been together with his wife Taisiya Petrovna, a devoted friend and co-author of many joint scientific publications. Together they raised two wonderful sons. Now they are happy about their grandchildren.

Dear Igor Victorovich! We sincerely congratulate you on your anniversary! We wish you good health, energy, and success in work, well-being, mutual understanding, and happiness in your family life! Let your loved ones please you with their love! Let the sun warm you on this spring day, let your optimism and humour be endless! We wish all the best to you!

Directorate of the Meshcheryakov Laboratory of Information Technologies, colleagues, and friends