"Our People at JINR": Artem Bystryakov
Artem, tell us please about your studies at the university. What subjects did you particularly enjoy?
My study was based not only on lectures and seminars but also on practical experience. There were many interesting courses — both natural sciences and humanities. But what I remember most as a student were my professors. After all, it's important not only to have a deep knowledge of your subject but also to be able to present it to an audience. I'm especially grateful to my professors in physics, chemistry, philosophy, and mathematics.
What did you feel visiting the DLNP site for the first time? Did you visit it while studying at the university?
Yes, I did! For the first time I visited the DLNP site during my summer internship after the first year at the university. We were given an excursion at the main departments where we could subsequently undertake internships. I spent my summer internship after the second year at the department where I am working now. At that time I did no realise that it would be the place where I would get my bachelor and master's degrees and then defend the candidate dissertation.
During that internship, I was not only impressed by the work carried out in our department but also met many wonderful people, cheerful, inquisitive, energetic, and friendly. Today, I proudly call them my colleagues and friends.
Who was your scientific supervisor? What was your relationship like?
Later, I began working with Professor Igor Borisovich Nemchenok, Doctor of Technical Sciences, who became my supervisor during my master's program. He helped me develop as a specialist. Our relationship was always warm: he supported, helped, and mentored me both in my studies and at work. His wealth of knowledge and experience deserves enormous respect. And we continue to collaborate on common tasks to this day.
How and when did you decide to work at the laboratory?
I decided to work here during my third year at the university. After defending my internship report, I realized this was exactly what I was interested in, and I asked my supervisor to hire me so I could devote more time to research. I had no doubt in my decision, as my colleagues were delighted to welcome me into their team.
What are you currently working on?
I'm currently simulating physical processes using Monte Carlo methods with the GEANT4 package as part of the MONUMENT experiment. This work forms the basis of my candidate dissertation.
Furthermore, I'm participating in joint measurements and data processing for scintillation detectors with the group of Igor Borisovich: our department manufactures them.
Our department has also launched two neutrino projects at the Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant: the DANSS and nuGen experiments. Both projects are ongoing and are already demonstrating impressive results.
What would you like to wish students and prospective students?
Don't be afraid to ask questions, be open-minded, and strive for new experiences. And don't worry about your mistakes – what matters is what you learn from them.
Interview by Sona Bunina
The article in the Universitetskaya Dubna No. 5 (68) 2025
