Biologist from Kazan wins 1-million-rouble Zvorykin Prize

The 4th Russia-wide innovative youth convention, organised with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth and the Zvorykin Project target innovation programme, on 29 November was held in the Digital October centre. About 1,000 young Russian innovators, 50 best domestic start-up projects, 100 well-known entrepreneurs and investors from across the world gathered to join their effort, to promote new ideas and technologies.

The event culminated in an annual summarisation of the innovation projects competition. The finalists were 24 developers from 18 Russian cities. As few as 3 best projects, however, ere presented cash prizes, 1 million roubles each. The organisers say they expect the laureates to set technological trends in 2012, since the event was international.

The 2011 award winner Diana Tazetdinova told Tatar-inform she had participated in the convention for the second year. This year her research team has decided to try themselves. Tazetdinova is a master of biology and an assistant researcher at the KFU biology department. She also heads up a small innovation research and production company Agrotechbio set up on the grounds of the university.

“The project I presented was developed under the guidance of Professor Farida Alimova, biochemistry department chair,” she says.

“It focuses on composing microbe substances, bio fertilisers and bio pesticides based on agronomically beneficial microorganisms. The substances provide nutrition for plants and protect them from diseases, stimulate growth and enhance immunity,” Tazetdinova shared.

She will probably use the million to develop the innovative branch, she added.