World–renowned scientist Bernardo Spagnolo awarded Honorary Doctorate of Lobachevsky University
On May 19, UNN Rector Oleg Trofimov presented the world-famous scientist Bernardo Spagnolo, Professor of Theoretical Physics from the University of Palermo (Italy) with an Honorary Doctorate degree from Lobachevsky University. The decision to award him this title was made by the UNN Academic Council in January 2025.
Bernardo Spagnolo is a world–class scientist who has received recognition for his work in the fields of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, statistical physics, and stochastic multistable systems. He has also made outstanding contributions to the theory of noise-induced phenomena. Bernardo Spagnolo started his career in 1978 at the University of Palermo - from researcher to professor and head of the interdisciplinary theoretical physics group. He has authored over 300 papers in journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. He is also among the top 2% of the world's most productive scientists according to the Stanford University ranking, which has been compiled since 2019.
Since 1997, Bernardo Spagnolo has been actively fostering scientific, educational, and international ties with UNN, contributing to the university's enhanced prestige both domestically and internationally. As the head of the research laboratory of stochastic multistable systems at the UNN Research and Education Centre "Physics of Solid-State Nanostructures", he has laid a strong scientific groundwork for advancing applied research areas undertaken by UNN's Engineering Centre and Educational Electronics Design Centre.
Starting from 2006, Bernardo Spagnolo has led the joint postgraduate programme between UNN and the University of Palermo. As a result, two postgraduate students from the University of Palermo have earned their Candidate of Sciences degrees at UNN, while five UNN postgraduate students have obtained their Ph.D. degrees at the University of Palermo.
Professor Spagnolo since 2018 has been leading the Research Laboratory of Stochastic Multistable Systems at the UNN Research and Education Centre "Physics of Solid-State Nanostructures", which was established as part of the megagrant programme. The laboratory focuses on research titled "A comprehensive study of fluctuation phenomena in multistable systems for the development of new generations of electronic devices and neuromorphic AI technologies based on memristive materials."Under his leadership, the laboratory has significantly contributed to the scientific research conducted by UNN staff. Over this period, more than 50 articles have been published in prestigious Web of Science journals, 17 intellectual property objects have been registered, and one doctoral and three PhD theses have been successfully defended.
Since 2022, a major research project titled "Neuroelectronics - Intelligent Neuromorphic and Neurohybrid Systems Based on New Electronic Components" has been carried out at the laboratory. This project is part of the scientific programme of the National Centre for Physics and Mathematics (area No. 9: "Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Technical, Industrial, Natural, and Social Systems").
"Despite all the difficulties of the current period, Professor Bernardo Spagnolo is actively involved in major research projects of the Laboratory of Stochastic Multistable Systems at UNN. He helps to bring the results of these projects to the attention of the world community by contributing to publications in top-rated journals and presenting reports on the research performed by the laboratory at major international forums, access to which is severely restricted for Russian scientists. This helps us maintain the high global standards of our scientific developments," noted Oleg Trofimov, Rector of Lobachevsky University.
