The municipal 2025 Person of Science award was bestowed upon its winners at a ceremony held on 6 February, on the eve of the Day of Russian Science, in the science city of Troitsk (Moscow). JINR Scientific Leader, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Victor Matveev received the award in Science and Life, the most significant one out of five nominations.

Photo: © Vladimir Milovidov

From 1987 to 2014, Victor Matveev headed the RAS Institute for Nuclear Research (INR RAS) in Troitsk, an institute that celebrated its 55th anniversary last year. In addition, Academician Matveev has been an honorary Troitsk citizen since 2001 and continues working at the INR as a chief researcher. JINR and INR RAS are currently collaborating on the Baikal neutrino telescope (Baikal-GVD) megascience project. In addition, earlier, JINR researchers discovered a new extremophilic bacterium type at the INR RAS Baksan Neutrino Observatory.

The history of the award, called Person of the Year until 2023, dates back 17 years. Awards in several categories are presented annually for significant studies and innovations, as well as achievements in educational activities and public life. This year, the expert council selected winners in six categories: Science, Innovation and Business, Young Researchers, Innovation in Education, Science and Life, and Special.