Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Stepan Kalmykov has been awarded the VYZOV Prize in the Scientist of the Year category for his groundbreaking work in radiochemistry
30.12.2025
Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Stepan Kalmykov has been awarded the VYZOV Prize in the Scientist of the Year category for his groundbreaking work in radiochemistry
Stepan Kalmykov, the Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has won the National VYZOV Prize for Future Technologies in the Scientist of the Year category. The prize was awarded for his fundamental and applied research, which has profoundly transformed the global landscape of radiochemistry and laid the foundation for next-generation nuclear technologies.
Academician Stepan Kalmykov’s work provides an answer to the key challenge of nuclear power — the issue of spent nuclear fuel, which requires disposal for hundreds of thousands of years. His discoveries in radiochemistry enable the separation of the most hazardous long-lived isotopes from waste for subsequent reprocessing. Furthermore, his research on the behavior of radionuclides in nature has formed the basis for the creation of protective geochemical barriers, while his developments in radiopharmaceuticals have opened up new possibilities for medicine.
Stepan Kalmykov serves as the Chair of the Advisory Board of the International Research Centre based on the MBIR multi-purpose fast neutron research reactor — a project that will shape the architecture of global nuclear science for decades to come.
This prestigious award is a well-deserved recognition of the Vice President of the RAS Stepan Kalmykov’s outstanding contribution to the advancement of national and global science.
For reference:
The National VYZOV Prize for Future Technologies was established to promote science and support breakthrough research that defines the country’s technological future. In 2025, 632 applications were submitted for the prize from 58 regions of Russia and 39 countries worldwide.
MBIR is a multipurpose fast-neutron research reactor with sodium coolant and the thermal capacity of approximately 150 MW. The reactor is under construction in Dimitrovgrad at the site of the State Scientific Center - Research Institute for Atomic Reactors (RIAR JSC, a part of the R&D division of Rosatom State Corporation) within the framework of the national technological leadership project "New Nuclear and Energy Technologies". The goal of the national project is to ensure Russia’s global leadership in nuclear technologies and achieve technological sovereignty in new energy technologies. In December, 2024 installation of the primary cooling circuit equipment and handling systems for the research reactor began. MBIR is intended for performance of reactor tests, production of radioisotopes, production of modified materials, as well as testing of new type equipment and systems. The unique capabilities of the new reactor are expected to accelerate development of solutions for the two-component nuclear power and the closed nuclear fuel cycle, as well as design of safe Generation IV nuclear power systems.
The International Research Center (IRC) in the form of an international consortium is established on the basis of MBIR reactor. The Consortium participants gain ‘fast track’ access to carry out the experiments needed for national programs of nuclear energy peaceful applications. The Consortium format allows for flexible use of the reactor resource for the demands of the scientific community. IRC MBIR Consortium is open to new members.
Academician Stepan Kalmykov’s work provides an answer to the key challenge of nuclear power — the issue of spent nuclear fuel, which requires disposal for hundreds of thousands of years. His discoveries in radiochemistry enable the separation of the most hazardous long-lived isotopes from waste for subsequent reprocessing. Furthermore, his research on the behavior of radionuclides in nature has formed the basis for the creation of protective geochemical barriers, while his developments in radiopharmaceuticals have opened up new possibilities for medicine.
Stepan Kalmykov serves as the Chair of the Advisory Board of the International Research Centre based on the MBIR multi-purpose fast neutron research reactor — a project that will shape the architecture of global nuclear science for decades to come.
This prestigious award is a well-deserved recognition of the Vice President of the RAS Stepan Kalmykov’s outstanding contribution to the advancement of national and global science.
For reference:
The National VYZOV Prize for Future Technologies was established to promote science and support breakthrough research that defines the country’s technological future. In 2025, 632 applications were submitted for the prize from 58 regions of Russia and 39 countries worldwide.
MBIR is a multipurpose fast-neutron research reactor with sodium coolant and the thermal capacity of approximately 150 MW. The reactor is under construction in Dimitrovgrad at the site of the State Scientific Center - Research Institute for Atomic Reactors (RIAR JSC, a part of the R&D division of Rosatom State Corporation) within the framework of the national technological leadership project "New Nuclear and Energy Technologies". The goal of the national project is to ensure Russia’s global leadership in nuclear technologies and achieve technological sovereignty in new energy technologies. In December, 2024 installation of the primary cooling circuit equipment and handling systems for the research reactor began. MBIR is intended for performance of reactor tests, production of radioisotopes, production of modified materials, as well as testing of new type equipment and systems. The unique capabilities of the new reactor are expected to accelerate development of solutions for the two-component nuclear power and the closed nuclear fuel cycle, as well as design of safe Generation IV nuclear power systems.
The International Research Center (IRC) in the form of an international consortium is established on the basis of MBIR reactor. The Consortium participants gain ‘fast track’ access to carry out the experiments needed for national programs of nuclear energy peaceful applications. The Consortium format allows for flexible use of the reactor resource for the demands of the scientific community. IRC MBIR Consortium is open to new members.