On 9-16 June, the 13th International Youth Conference, organized by the Association of Young Scientists and Specialists of JINR (AYSS JINR), took place at the Dubna Resort House (Alushta, Russia). More than 45 representatives of scientific youth from the Czech Republic, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Vietnam attended the event. Along with the autumn AYSS Conference, the Alushta Conference is the first round in the competition for the JINR Youth Prize.

This year’s conference was dedicated to the latest achievements in medical physics. In addition to the sectional presentations of the participants, the scientific programme of the event included 11 plenary talks by speakers from JINR, Medical Unit № 9 of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, and the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INP SB RAS). The topics of the lectures covered the following fields:

• nuclear physics;
• radiochemistry and radiation materials science;
• nuclear medicine, radiopharmacology, and radiotherapy;
• computer modelling and information technologies in biological systems.

The conference also included an AYSS meeting, where the Association members from all laboratories and departments discussed proposals for improving the infrastructure of both sites of the Institute. The youth highlighted the pleasant changes regarding the opening of the new checkpoint at the DLNP site and the availability of service bicycles in the laboratories. However, a number of issues related to storm sewers, parking lots, and landscaping of JINR sites were also raised at the meeting. During discussions, optimal solutions to the considered problems were proposed. AYSS JINR Chairperson, a DLNP JINR researcher Vladislav Rozhkov moderated the event.

According to the organizers, as well as many participants and lecturers, one of the main features of the conference in Alushta is its interdisciplinarity. “The sessions were really diverse in terms of content. Biologists and physicists gave talks on the same stage, there was even a report on history. I really like such a cross-platform style, as I myself cannot decide whether I should engage in plasma, accelerator, or neutron physics,” Dmitry Kasatov (INP SB RAS) stressed. At the conference Dmitry presented a lecture on the basics, current state, and prospects of boron neutron capture therapy. He also underlined the importance of strengthening scientific ties not only within each individual research institute, but also between them: “I was glad to find myself in an unfamiliar environment, without my colleagues from the Russian Academy of Sciences. We established contacts with many colleagues at the conference. It was very interesting to talk to people who are competent in areas in which I am not an expert myself, but knowledge from which would be very useful in my work.”

“We should definitely develop this aspect of AYSS scientific events in the future, inviting more and more participants from other organizations. Such a ‘scientific mix’ of views and ideas is very important in order not to stagnate, developing as quickly as possible and giving young people a new incentive for the development,” Co-chairman of the 2024 Alushta Conference, an FLNP JINR researcher Alexander Nezvanov added.

According to Alexander Nezvanov, another highlight of the event was the special mood created by employees of the Dubna Resort House and the participants themselves, “A significant difference between the Alushta conference and other AYSS events is that the former has a more warm and family atmosphere. All the participants note this feature, saying that it is difficult to recreate such a mood at other conferences organized at scientific centres.”

Traditionally, in Alushta young scientists had the opportunity not only to gain scientific experience and knowledge, but also to explore Crimean nature reserves during excursions and get to know each other better during cultural and sports events.

Young scientists of the Joint Institute shared their impressions about the conference:

Tatyana Hramco, LRB JINR Group Head, “For me the annual Alushta Conference is one of the best periods of the year, when you can not only share your research, but also communicate with collegues from other laboratories. The level of presentations, the variety of topics presented, and the friendly atmosphere of the conference is what makes it so memorable.”

Phi Truong, a DLNP JINR junior researcher, “I participated in this conference for the first time. It was great that in just a week I managed to get to know researchers from different science fields, find out what they do, and discuss possible areas of scientific cooperation. The Alushta Conference is a wonderful place for young scientists and specialists to show their talents, improve their skills, share experiences, and strengthen ties with the Institute community.”

Varvara Maslova, an FLNP JINR junior researcher, “This is my second conference in Alushta, and I see that the organization level is rising. The scientific programme is getting more intensive, the cultural and entertainment part is also developing. I had very busy evenings every day, because I wanted to participate in all the activities offered.”

Ravil Iakhibbaev, a BLTP JINR junior researcher, “Participation in this conference is new to me. In spite of the fact that my field of activity is rather far from the event’s topic, I found many of the reports quite intriguing. In addition, it is valuable that the conference format allows participants to discuss research topics in formal and informal settings. Thus, young people can find both new colleagues and friends in the laboratories of our Institute. I was also pleased to have the opportunity to communicate with colleagues from Novosibirsk and Moscow. I think we have greatly enriched each other’s experiences.”