Today, 11 October, marks the 70th anniversary of the Vice-Director of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research Latchesar Krumov Kostov.

After graduating from the Faculty of Physics of Sofia University “St. Kliment Okhridski” in 1978 in atomic physics, Latchesar Kostov began his scientific career at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He worked there as a physicist, researcher, and senior researcher until 1979.

From 1979 to 1982, Latchesar Kostov was a guest researcher at the Rossendorf Central Institute for Nuclear Research of the Academy of Sciences of German Democratic Republic.

Latchesar Kostov received the PhD degree in 1984, having successfully defended his thesis, “Sub-nanosecond isomers in nuclei with different degree of deformation”.

In August 1996, he headed the Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes in Sofia, the Republic of Bulgaria. He was Chairman of the Committee until March 1997.

Later, in January 2006, Latchesar Kostov became Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency. He worked in this position until July 2013, and then served as Chairman of the Agency until February 2021.

He was the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Committee of Plenipotentiary Representatives of the Governments of the JINR Member States from 2006 to 2020. From 2014 to 2018, Latchesar Kostov headed the Committee.

In March 2021, Latchesar Kostov was appointed Vice-Director of the Institute in accordance with the Decision of the Committee of Plenipotentiary Representatives of the Governments of the JINR Member States. In this important position, he actively participated in preparing and holding key events, implementing projects, and ensuring a high level of international cooperation.

From 1995 to 2021, Latchesar Kostov was a member of the Expert Council of the Department of Nuclear Physics at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy (Republic of Bulgaria). From 2008 to 2012, he was a member of the Scientific Technical Committee of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). From 2015 to 2021, Latchesar Kostov was a member of the Supervisory Board of the NICA Complex Megaproject, and from 2020 – a member of the NICA Complex Schedule and Cost Review Committee.

Latchesar Kostov is the author of more than 100 scientific papers in nuclear structure, environmental radioactivity, transmutation, radiation protection. His research interests include experimental investigations of nuclear structure, transmutation and nuclear energy, environmental radioactivity, restoration of radioactively contaminated soils, radiation protection. Latchesar Kostov has managed a large number of projects in nuclear structure research, radioactively contaminated soils, environmental radioactivity, and nuclear safety.

Since 2017, he has been an Honorary Doctor of Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. In 2018, he was awarded the medal of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom for contribution to international cooperation.

The JINR Directorate and international team, colleagues and friends warmly congratulate Latchesar Kostov on his 70th birthday and wish him good health, great success in research and organizational activity, and the fulfilment of all plans.