From a Master’s student to a multitasking powerhouse! 🌠

Meet Alena Ermochenko, a PhD student, lecturer, program manager, and more. But how does she do it all?

Oh, it’s a challenge for sure, but I love it :) Now it’s particularly tough because it’s the last six months of my PhD program, and I am finishing my thesis. […] I’d say that being at the faculty helps me a lot: all of my responsibilities are connected to it and its staff, so it’s not that challenging to keep all my to-do lists under control. It could be that some projects even turn out more successful because I can approach them on multiple levels.

Read the full interview now 👈

#itmofaces

Global urbanism: how Gulf cities are reshaping the Middle East 🌆

What connects Doha’s futuristic skyscrapers, monumental museums, and ancient quarters?

Join the open lecture by ITMO Fellow professor Ali A. Alraouf — a leading architect and urbanist from Qatar — to:

• Discover how knowledge is becoming the new “oil” for Arab megacities
• Peek behind the scenes of World Expo and FIFA and see how mega-events reshape entire cities
• Learn how urban identity is crafted — where tradition meets high-tech vision

🗣 Language of instruction: English
📅 May 19, 11:30 AM
📍 Kronverksky Pr. 49, room 1419

🔗 Register here

#events

From heroes in art to boats and beats – here’s what’s up in St. Pete this week 👇

🐕‍🦺 The Lives of Remarkable Dogs
• May 16 | 10 AM - 6 PM | 800-1200 RUB

Explore how dogs have been immortalized in Russian art, from portraits and landscapes to sculptures and coins.

🗿 Night of Museums
• May 17 | 6 PM - 6 AM | 300-750 RUB

Celebrate the Night of Museums with live music, talks, and hero-themed exhibits all across the city – don’t wait to get your ticket!

⛵️ Radio yachting
• May 18 | 10 AM - 7 PM | Free

Try your hand at radio-controlled boat racing and sailor’s knots this weekend at New Holland Island.

🎖 Leningrad. Meeting Victory
• May 19 | 10 AM - 9 PM | Free

Feel the wartime spirit of Leningrad through 120+ powerful images and artworks that capture the city during and after its historic siege.

For more weekend wins, head to ITMO.NEWS and check out the full list of events! 👈

#events

This week at ITMO: drones take flight, science earns global applause, and more! Check them all out 👇

🛩 ITMO teams up with Geoscan to launch a student bureau for design and testing of autonomous aircraft – opening this September!

🌟 ITMO’s nanophotonics session named the best out of 119 at PIERS 2025 in Abu Dhabi – global recognition for cutting-edge science!

🧠 With 5.5 million diabetes cases in Russia, early diagnostics matter more than ever – ITMO Fellow Dr. Yuri Rykov is on a mission to revolutionize diagnostics with AI. Learn how.

And now, two key posts from last week:

🎉 Registration for ITMO Family Day is now open! Join the summer’s most heartwarming celebration on July 12 at 300th Anniversary Park – bring your loved ones!

📋 Are you an international student? Help us make your ITMO journey smoother by filling out this short arrival survey – your voice matters!

#newsdigest

This post will reduce your screen time 🕙

Over the long weekend, our team decided to explore the wild world beyond the screens… through hobbies. We each picked one – from cycling to knitting – and ventured into the unknown.

Did it help us disconnect from our devices? Discover our results and experiences in this story!

Do you have a digital detox hobby?

😎 — Absolutely
🤓 — I’m looking for one
👨‍💻 — I’m chronically online

ITMO researcher nominated for Forbes Russia 30 Under 30 🌠

Nikita Serov, the head of ITMO’s Generative Design of Enzymes and Aptamers Lab, has been nominated for the prestigious award in the Science & Technology category. He and his team are pioneering AI-driven tools for design of molecular machines — nanoscale devices that can accelerate chemical reactions, selectively bind molecules, and even function as bioprocessors. These innovations are opening new prospects for personalized medicine and diagnostic devices.

Cheer him on — cast your vote here 👈

#itmoinfo