For the first time in a long COVID restrictions period, international experts, members of the Council, were able to take part in the 131st session of the Scientific Council on 24 – 25 February. They shared their impressions of the event and the reports presented at the session with the JINR Weekly Newspaper.

Ani Aprahamian (University of Notre Dame, USA) took an active part in the discussion of the report made by JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov. “I think the Seven-Year-Plan is a very good plan. Research in nuclear physics, particle physics, and condensed matter are usual for Dubna. However, I am greatly encouraged by the fact that applied research in these areas is being actively considered. For example, information technologies and computing, which are changing our world, and we should follow these changes. The same is with big data as it is necessary for a better understanding of our world. The world is increasingly becoming an open data system. For example, I have come here from Armenia. Armenia has adopted an open data policy. I think it would be better if all countries accept it.

Moreover, you have planned studies related to the physical applications for medical aspects, the study of human health. I think that it is extremely important. We can only applaud for these good directions. It seems to me that the whole world is enhancing in this field.

What comes to my own scientific interests (nuclear physics), I am interested in the FLNP Superheavy Element Factory and low-energy physics in Dubna. Arising of superheavy elements in the universe is of a particular interest to me. We don’t know how superheavy elements divide. My main interest is connected with the works of Yu. Oganessian. They complement the dreams of nuclear physicists to move deeper into superheavy elements. Even after 80 years of studying superheavy fission, this phenomenon is still the biggest open question. It is directly related, for example, to the understanding of gravitation waves that were observed four years ago. There are many questions left unanswered, for example, where do superheavy elements arise in the universe? The study of superheavy fission continues in Dubna. The Superheavy Element Factory is also being improved, and I know that Yu. Ts. Oganessian thinks about future improvements. The production of superheavy nuclei carried out at the Factory is amazing, and I think that remarkable fundamental discoveries are yet to come. It seems to me, that the study of superheavy fission will have a significant impact on the understanding of the Universe. I will try to establish contacts with American national laboratories, because I think that we should pool our resources in finding answers to such important questions.”

Deputy Director of Yerevan Physics Institute (Armenia) Armen Nersesyan said the following, “I can say that JINR-Armenia relations undergo their second wind. Many factors have contributed to this. We can even joke that the pandemic has also contributed to the second wind in our relations. We have begun to contact more often. Cooperation and joint research have grown in intensity. We expect that Armenia’s interest in cooperation with Dubna will increase thanks to the introduction of the NICA complex. At the moment, JINR is the only major international institute for us, where Armenia has a full membership. I expect the cooperation with Dubna to make particle physics and physics in general more attractive for young people, because many young people work here. A youth environment has formed, and this can change views on the attractiveness of science and its significance.”

Director of the Centre for Technological Applications and Nuclear Development Iván Padrón Díaz (Havana, Cuba) said , “Every time I participate in sessions of the JINR Scientific Council I can’t help but remember my youth – a time of trials and dreams. A dream of many young people in Cuba was studying nuclear specialty at Soviet universities.

My studies and successful graduation from Moscow State University, which I will be always proud of, have determined my fate in many ways, as well as fate of my compatriots.

It is estimated that almost one hundred thousand Cubans among graduates, postgraduates, and specialists of different professions studied in the USSR. It is a large number for such a small state as Cuba and an excellent example of disinterested help. That’s why I, like many other people of Cuba, feel deep gratitude to Russian people.

The experience of many Cubans who studied in the USSR and Russia has influenced not only the culture but the technical level of Cuban society as well. And they all recognise the contribution of education obtained in this country to their professional success. Today many of them hold responsible positions in Cuba and are recognised experts in their fields.

Today five specialists work at JINR upon permanent contracts, and about three people come to perform specific tasks from time to time. Cuban scientists take part in several research programmes of the Institute, including the development of new semiconductor detectors for fundamental and applied research, the physical programme of the SPD and MPD detectors within the NICA megascience project, as well as the modernisation of the electron linear accelerator LINAC-800.

At the end of the 90s, when I defended my thesis in Dubna, our group consisted of 20 Cubans, including students and staff members. Then, for various reasons, the cooperation has been interrupted for 20 years. The historical ties between our countries have allowed us to return Cuba to JINR.

Now sincere gratitude of our generation of the Cubans to the Russian homeland affects our students. And I think that the Ministry of Higher Education of Cuba should continue working with JINR and the University “Dubna” to increase the participation of our youth in summer schools and postgraduate studies. The atmosphere of multinational cooperation of the Laboratories’ work, welcoming and peaceful atmosphere of this town still attract our young scientists.

Speaking about the 131st session of the Scientific Council, I think that theoretical and experimental directions that are being included in the new Seven-Year Plan are highly important. The Superheavy Element Factory, the NICA project, and all the astrophysical works are really at the cutting edge of modern physics. But applied papers connected with medical physics, radiobiology, which we discuss here, are also an important element of the new programme. In fact, our goal is to improve and prolong life on Earth. This is a common responsibility of scientists.”

Professor of Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering Catalin Borcea (Bucharest, Romania) was a co-chairman of several previous sessions of the Scientific Council.

“How did you feel as a SC Chairman?”

“This is actually not an easy question to answer. You always have to be very concentrated, set the right guidelines, and direct the process of the discussion so that the work of the Scientific Council stays within a clearly defined framework, in the right format.”

“What are the peculiarities of this session?”

“As a rule, the agenda of a winter session of the Scientific Council is connected with the milestones of the past year, operation of the basic facilities , realisation of the Topical Plan, the progress of the implementation of the most important projects of the Institute. But, certainly, the content of specific agenda items changes every year. The main interest lies in it: not a decision-making scheme, but the content of the scheme, everything new of the scheme can cause discussions whether in one direction or the other. Sometimes participants share different opinions that should be coordinated. This time, the topic of main reports and discussions has been connected with the concept of the new Seven-Year Plan for the Development of JINR for 2024 – 2030.

I have known Dubna for a long time already and can say for sure that all the problems are currently open for debate, that is, the most up-to-date information – achievements, difficulties – is discussed at sessions of the Council. And everyone can judge in their own way, correlate these or those projects with budget figures, work schedules. That is, all the information allows the members of the Scientific Council to make the best decisions for the Institute’s Directorate.

And certainly, being bound by long-time ties with colleagues from the Flerov Laboratory, I wish them successful development of the unique capabilities of the Superheavy Element Factory, the unique accelerator complex, thanks to which this Laboratory will remain the leading one in the world. It is only there where it is possible to achieve the cross-sections that are necessary for the synthesis of superheavy nuclei.”