The Round table of the French-Russian University interdisciplinary group “Earth observation, space and the environment — Engineering and Instrumentation” was held on December 10, 2020.
The online event brought together leading scientists representing members of the French-Russian University: RUDN, RANEPA, MEPhI and ITMO University from Russia; Aix-Marseille University and University of the Côte d'Azur from France. The round table was chaired by Oleg Nagornov, First Vice Rector of MEPhI.
Professor of MEPhI and Aix-Marseille University Andrey Kabashin spoke about the application of laser ablation nanomaterials in biomedicine.
Yuri Gasparyan, Associate professor, Acting Head of MEPhI Plasma Physics Department, and Jean-Marc Layet, Professor of the MEPhI and the Aix-Marseille University, presented their research in the field of fusion and plasma physics.
Andrey Mayorov, Associate professor of MEPhI Department of Experimental Nuclear Physics and Space Physics, Project Manager of MEPhI Institute of Cosmology, reported on the university’s participation in international experiments such as PAMELA, ARINA and VSPLESK.
Eric Kaifasz, Director of the Institute for Physics of the Universe at the Aix-Marseille University, presented the unit created in 2020. The Institute’s work focuses on particle physics, astrophysics and applied theoretical physics. The scientist noted a significant potential for cooperation between the French University and MEPhI in analysis of research results of collaborations (such as ATLAS and IceCube) and the study of dark matter.
Orelyan Creeda, researcher of Lagrange laboratory of the University Côte d'Azur, presented the Master’s program in astrophysics, which has been in implementation since 2017. The scientist described the procedure for selecting candidates for the program, the curriculum structure and the infrastructure available.
Ksenia Benevolskaya, Head of Office of International Projects and Programs of RUDN Academy of Engineering, spoke in detail about the activities of the Academy, highlighting the creation of new generation space infrastructure and its effective application in industries and rational use of natural resources.
Alexandra Kachur, engineer, researcher of the MEPhI Scientific and Educational Centre “Nevod”, spoke about one of the most promising areas of research – atmospheric muonography.
Sergey Popruzhenko, MEPhI professor, focused his presentation on the history and main vectors of laser development in Russia and worldwide, as well as on international projects implemented by the Institute of Laser and Plasma Technologies of MEPhI.
The final presentation was made by Alexander Trusov, Head of the RANEPA International Laboratory for Mathematical Methods of Social Media Research, on the methods of remote data analysis on the night surface of the Earth. The French colleagues asked questions on the subject of the report and expressed interest in further cooperation.
During the debate, the participants discussed how the research agendas of France and Russia relate to global trends and made proposals for further cooperation and possible interdisciplinary projects.
Summing up the results of the round table, a former Vice-President of the Aix-Marseille University Pierre Chiapetta noted that the universities have a long history of academic cooperation and expressed hope for the further development of cooperation, including in the development and implementation of student exchange programs in Master’s and postgraduate programs and double degree programs.