UNN professor wins Russian President's Prize in Science and Innovation
Susanna Gordleeva, Doctor of Sciences (Physics and Mathematics), Professor of the Neurotechnologies Department at the UNN Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, has become one of the laureates of the Russian President's Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists for 2023. This was announced on 7 February 2024, on the eve of the Day of Russian Science, by Andrei Fursenko, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation.
This high state award recognises a series of scientific studies aimed at developing neuromorphic artificial intelligence technologies based on biophysical neuron-astrocyte network models for memristive electronics. As a result, a fundamentally new model of neuromorphic artificial intelligence with performance that surpasses the world analogues was created. The team of Nizhny Novgorod scientists managed to prove that astrocytes can effectively control the dynamics of neurons and are probably the missing link in solving the problem of how to train spiking neural networks when designing neuroprocessors.
The research was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation and was carried out under the research programme of the National Centre for Physics and Mathematics (Sarov) in the field of "Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Technical, Industrial, Natural and Social Systems".
Speaking about the practical significance of the research, Susanna Gordleeva noted that it took more than 10 years to complete, and its results can be used in the development of a new generation of intelligent information and computing platforms (frameworks) capable of processing large flows of information ("big data") using the principles of the human brain.
"Such systems can be used in the interests of high-tech IT enterprises and the medical sector for processing medical data, classifying information and building virtual models of the nervous system. The use of such platforms is in demand, in particular, in the development of hybrid neuro-interface (neuromorphic) systems, where an important role is played by the use of biologically plausible cell models capable of mimicking the signals of living biological neurons," Professor Gordleeva noted.
"Susanna Gordleeva is one of the youngest Doctors of Sciences at our university, and she has gathered around her a creative team of young researchers who solve global problems," said Oleg Trofimov, UNN Rector. "Artificial intelligence can be confidently considered a strategic trend in the development of modern science and technology. The research conducted by the team of scientists led by Susanna has enabled the creation of unique models of neuromorphic artificial intelligence based on the principles of encoding, processing and storing information in the brain through neuron-astrocyte interaction".
The award ceremony for the winners of the Russian Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists for 2023 will be held on the Day of Russian Science on 8 February at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow, as part of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Susanna Gordleeva studied at the UNN Faculty of Radiophysics from 2004 to 2010 majoring in Fundamental Radiophysics. In 2015, she defended her PhD (Candidate of Sciences) thesis in Radiophysics on "Effects of multistable dynamics in systems of interacting biological oscillators" under the supervision of Dr. Viktor Kazantsev. In 2022, she defended her doctoral (Doctor of Sciences) thesis in Biophysics on "Biophysical models of interaction between neuronal and astrocytic networks". From 2022 to the present day Susanna Gordleeva has been working as Professor at the UNN Neurotechnologies Department and Head of the Laboratory for Neurodynamics and Cognitive Technologies at the UNN Neurosciences Research Institute.
