On 19 April, the Cuban Isotope Centre (CENTIS) Deputy Directors Mr. Rolando Agustin Serra Aguila and Mr. Jorge Caridad Cruz Arencibia visited the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The Isotope Centre is a leading Cuban enterprise for the production and development of radiopharmaceuticals. During the meeting with JINR Deputy Chief Scientific Secretary Alexey Zhemchugov, the delegation discussed issues of developing cooperation in nuclear medicine, medical engineering, radiochemistry, and personnel training. As part of the working programme, the delegation members visited the Laboratory of Nuclear Problems, where they learned about the projects of JINR scientists’ in proton therapy and microtomography. In addition, CENTIS representatives got acquainted with the research and experimental equipment of the Laboratory of Radiation Biology.

At the meeting with representatives of the Joint Institute, Rolando Serra Aguila noted the interest of the Cuban side in strengthening scientific ties with JINR and its Member States in the light of the active development of the country’s pharmaceutical industry. He highlighted the achievements of Cuban scientific organizations in the creation of new modern radiopharmaceuticals, which, however, are constrained from research due to the lack of a number of radioisotopes.

The parties discussed the resumption and further development of joint work on the creation of a single-photon emission computed microtomograph. The purpose of the project is to create a high spatial resolution SPECT/CT microtomograph for the study of radiopharmaceutical delivery in laboratory animals. The works started in 2018 as part of JINR, CEADEN, and CENTIS cooperation and proceeded successfully until they had to be suspended due to the pandemic. The parties showed enthusiasm in the implementation of this innovative project and discussed the possibility of engaging Cuban industrial partners in it.

Another point of discussion were new formats of scientific internship for young specialists from Cuba. In addition to JINR student programmes, the parties spoke of the arrangement of employer-provided training, primarily in radiochemistry, and the potential for bringing student groups to Dubna for specific educational and practical tasks. The parties expressed interest in preparing a trilateral cooperation agreement between CENTIS, the University of Havana, and JINR on the implementation of educational programmes and personnel training.