Alexander Kostinskiy

My doctoral dissertation was defended at the Plasma Physics Department of the General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow). The dissertation was devoted to the physics and chemistry of plasma in high-pressure discharges that were created by super-powerful microwave radiation beams in free space. In particular, in our research, my colleagues and I showed how dangerous super-powerful microwave discharges, which were planned to create artificial ionized regions, are for the stratospheric ozone layer.

My further work was connected with the physics of lightning, long sparks and discharges in multiphase highly charged media. Together with my colleagues from the Institute of Applied Physics (Evgeny Mareev et al.), the University of Florida (Vladimir Rakov), the High-Voltage Center of the All-Russian Electrotechnical Institute (Istra, Moscow Region), I discovered and studied previously unknown types of discharges inside clouds of charged aerosol, which we called “unusual plasma formations”. These discharges, according to Vladimir Rakov, became “the missing link in the chain of events that lead to the initiation of lightning inside thunderclouds”.

Based on the physics of “unusual plasma formations” inside multiphase media and recent advances in the physics of intra-cloud discharges, I, together with Thomas Marshall and Maribeth Stolzenburg, have created a sequential plasma model of lightning initiation from the first initiating event to the emergence of a large negative leader, which in most cases is considered lightning.

In 2022, I left my position as the head of the Hazardous Geophysical Phenomena Laboratory at the Institute of Mathematics and Electronics of HSE in Moscow and began working at the Plasma Physics and Pulse Power Laboratory, headed by Yakov Krasik, at the Technion University (Israel). Here, together with my colleagues, I investigated ultra-powerful subnanosecond microwave discharges in various gases.

The MERIT scholarship means a lot to me. It allows me to develop the study of lightning in thunderclouds, volcanic tephra and other multiphase media that create high-energy particles. I will be very happy to do my proposed project “Wind turbines as efficient generators of electrical discharges, X-rays, relativistic electrons and upward lightning” in one of the best European laboratories for studying high-energy atmospheric physics. This is the High energy atmospheric physics lab led by Ondřej Ploc at the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. This project will not only allow us to better understand the safe operation of wind farms and their environmental impact, but also, using discharges that occur on wind turbines during thunderstorms, to thoroughly calibrate the most developed radiophysical systems that are used to build lightning motion maps in clouds. This will allow us to move even closer to solving the fundamental problem of lightning initiation in clouds.

Maryam Barati Moghaddam

I have participated in several international projects. As a visiting researcher at Politecnico di Torino, I developed a mathematical model for identifying pollutant sources in river networks. After my PhD, I received a national scholarship from the Slovak Republic and worked as a researcher at the Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, on a project focused on identifying unknown pollution sources in urban sewer systems. I then worked on a project on urban ecohydrology at the University of Florence.
The MERIT fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct ambitious and innovative research projects. The Czech Republic’s strong commitment to environmental preservation, combined with the opportunity to enhance my skills in mathematical modeling and hydrology through collaboration with leading experts at the Hydrological and Climate Variability research team at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), motivated me to apply for this fellowship.
My research project addresses one of the significant environmental concerns in Europe, including Central Bohemia and the Czech Republic, namely the increasing volume of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater resources. I will develop a novel mathematical model to simulate the complex dynamics of MPs in river systems, considering hyporheic exchange processes. Combining mathematical modelling with lab experiments, I will also examine the impact of particle size and flow rate on MPs’ dynamics. This interdisciplinary project merges hydrology, water quality, environmental science, applied mathematics, and statistics to create a tool for protecting water resources from MP contamination.
The MERIT fellowship will significantly advance my career by providing interdisciplinary research opportunities and enhancing my research profile, particularly in developing mathematical models to address global environmental challenges.

The fellowship will help me expand my professional network, improve my employability, and position me as a strong candidate for prestigious grants, ultimately supporting my goal of leading my own research group.

Rufin Marie Toghueo Kouipou

My professional objective is to significantly mitigate the challenges of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Africa and globally. I aspire to contribute to developing the next generation of antibiotics. My ambition is to enhance pharmaceutical innovation by discovering and characterizing novel lead compounds from microorganisms found in underexplored ecological environments in Africa. I require a more robust research foundation and network to realize this vision, which I believe the MERIT Fellowship program can provide. Additionally, conducting research in the Czech Republic, known for its rich research culture and accomplishments, will equip me with the essential scientific training needed to evolve into the investigator I aspire to be. Through the MERIT Fellowship, I anticipate enhancing my competencies in grant writing, science communication, leadership, and mentorship, thereby becoming a more effective researcher.
My research proposal for the MERIT Fellowship focuses on investigating microbial species with the potential to synthesize bioactive chemical precursors for antibiotic discovery. This initiative will also contribute to the broader understanding of natural products by generating high-quality scientific research within an academic framework. The MERIT Fellowship will allow me to engage with a pharmaceutical company, bridging the divide between academia and industry, which is crucial for achieving my goals. This secondment will facilitate scientific discovery and provide insights into how to translate research outcomes into viable products that address societal challenges.
Before receiving the merit fellowship, I had the opportunity to excel in multiple fellowship programs, which enabled me to conduct research at various esteemed institutions. These included the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in India, the Welcome Centre for Anti-infectives Research (WCAIR) in the United Kingdom, and the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA) in Spain. Additionally, I engaged in numerous international conferences, where I presented my research findings to fellow scholars.