XIV All-Russian Scientific-Practical Conference with International Participation for Young Scientists “Pontus Euxinus – 2025”

On 6 October, the XIV All-Russian Scientific-Practical Conference with International Participation for Young Scientists, “Pontus Euxinus – 2025,” commenced in Sevastopol at the Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas (IBSS). This landmark scientific event brought together nearly 100 specialists from 49 organisations across Russia—ranging from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok and from Murmansk to Sochi—as well as researchers from Taiwan, Guinea, Brazil, Nicaragua, and Azerbaijan. Notably, delegates from Africa and Asia attended the conference in person.

The opening ceremony took place in the conference hall of Russia’s oldest marine biological institution. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Academician Viktor Yegorov, Scientific Director of the IBSS, Dr. Sc. (Biology), Professor, who wished the young scientists productive work, engaging discussions, and a warm introduction to the legendary city. Additional greetings were extended by Dr. Ekaterina Skuratovskaya, Deputy Director for Scientific Work, and Dr. Artem Paraskiv, Chairman of the Young Scientists Council.

“Over the course of seven scientific sessions, the conference will address a broad spectrum of topics, including: biodiversity and the functioning of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, biotechnology and aquaculture, molecular-genetic research of ecosystems, and water quality assessment. We will also host a dedicated session for the Minor Academy of Sciences, where schoolchildren from Sevastopol will present their first scientific reports. Over the next five days, we anticipate intensive collaboration that will foster new scientific connections among young researchers nationwide and strengthen international cooperation in science,” noted Artem Paraskiv.

On the first day, plenary presentations were delivered by representatives of the IBSS, including Dr. Natalia Milchakova, Head of the Phytoresources Laboratory, and Dr. Vladimir Mukhanov, Head of the Plankton Department, as well as Dr. Alexey Doroshkov, Research Fellow at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, and Professor An-Yi Tsai, Dean of the College of Oceanic Sciences and Resources at National Taiwan Ocean University.

«Since Taiwan is located far from here, my journey to Sevastopol took three full days. As Dean of the College of Oceanic Sciences and Resources, I am delighted to collaborate with my colleague, Vladimir Mukhanov, on an international cooperation project. It is an honour to participate in the conference hosted by the Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas. Looking ahead, we plan to sign an agreement with the IBSS in the near future, which will facilitate student exchange programmes between our institutions,” stated Professor An-Yi Tsai during the conference.

In addition to the plenary session and the work of eight specialised sections over five days, the conference’s comprehensive programme includes two roundtable discussions: “Oil Pollution of the Black Sea” and “Prospects for the Development of International Cooperation Among Young Scientists: Challenges and Solutions.” The event will also feature the Young Scientists School, “Modern Domestic Molecular-Genetic Methods for Researching Biological Objects,” organised by Syntol.

Background: The XIV All-Russian Scientific-Practical Conference with International Participation for Young Scientists, “Pontus Euxinus – 2025,” is held as part of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia. The event is dedicated to the 185th anniversary of A.O. Kovalevsky and V.N. Ulyanin. For further details, visit the official website: https://conf-pont.ibss-ras.ru/.