The ceremonial Academic Council meeting held at the Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics SB RAS was dedicated to the 115th anniversary of Academician Andrey A. Trofimuk (1911-1999), an outstanding Soviet and Russian scientist, honorary petroleum specialist and subsoil explorer, the discoverer of three large oil and gas provinces; one of the founding fathers of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences and the organizing director of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Peking University with whom IPGG SB RAS entered in the research collaboration agreement signed in 2025: Jin Zhijun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and elected foreign academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Institute of Energy, Head of the China-Russia Center for Geosciences, professor Zhang Liuping, research scientist Liu Kouqi, and Administrative Coordinator Meng Xing.
In his opening speech, Academician M.I. Epov, Scientific Director of IPGG SB RAS, outlined the prominent role of A.A. Trofimuk as a scientist and administrator, as well as his massive contribution to the development of Earth sciences in the USSR and Russia. V.N. Glinskikh, RAS Corr. Member, Director of IPGG SB RAS, spoke about the stages of development of geophysics as a science in Siberia under Academician Trofimuk's leadership, primarily at the then Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian Branch, USSR Academy of Sciences.
V.N. Glinskikh, M.I. Epov
A.N. Fomin, DSc (geol.-mineral.), principal research scientist at IPGG SB RAS, provided a detailed account of the key milestones in the life of A.A. Trofimuk, and his accomplishments with the emphasis laid on the period encompassing his outstanding discoveries during the WW2 and his work with Chinese colleagues in the 1950-60s. The scientific agenda of the meeting was concluded by the presentation made by B.N. Shurygin, principal research scientists at IPGG SB RAS, RAS corr. member, dedicated to “the golden age”, or new avenues for developing stratigraphy and paleontology in Siberia, opened owing to the prudent governance of A.A. Trofimuk.
A.N. Fomin, B.N. Shurygin
Along with highlighting the substantial part played by A.A. Trofimuk in the development of geology in China, where he worked repeatedly starting in the 1950s, Academician Jin Zhijun also mentioned his mentor, Academician A.E. Kontorovich who worked closely with A.A. Trofimuk. While expressing the recognition of their accomplishments and influence, Jin Zhijun noted that A.A. Trofimuk and A.E. Kontorovich laid a solid cornerstone to the scientific collaboration between our countries, thus allowing today scientists from China and Russia to build relationships, jointly contributing to developments in petroleum science.
Jin Zhijun
In memory of his visit, Academician Jin Zhijun received a book by A.A. Trofimuk, “Forty Years of Struggle for the Development of the Oil and Gas Industry in Siberia.”
A.N. Fomin commented on the photographs displayed at the exhibition.
The Chinese delegation also visited the memorial office of Academician A.E. Kontorovich, to show respect and remembrance for him.
Academician Jin Zhijun paid tribute to his mentor and colleague
N.N. Mzhelskaya (left), leading translation specialist at IPGG SB RAS worked with the Chinese guests throughout the visit
The Chinese delegation, and representatives of IPGG SB RAS: Alexander N. Fomin, DSc (geol.-mineral.), and Mikhail A. Fomin, PhD (geol.-mineral.)
Concluding the meeting, the parties agreed to strengthen existing collaborations and foster new ones.
Published by IPGG Press Service