News

The International Laboratory of Quantum Optoelectronics at HSE University–St Petersburg develops semiconductor microlasers. The components and systems created by the laboratory also enable high-speed data transmission and processing. Natalia Kryzhanovskaya, Head of the Laboratory and Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics, spoke with the HSE News Service about the laboratory’s research areas and future prospects.

A semester in Brazil became far more than a period of academic mobility for HSE University students—it turned into a full-fledged professional experience. While studying at universities in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, they simultaneously undertook internships at the General Consulate of the Russian Federation and the Trade Representation of Russia, combining academic training with practical experience of international work.

On February 18, 2026, a celebration of Chinese New Year was held in the central atrium of the Pokrovka building. The festive programme showcased the rich traditions of the holiday, including dance and violin performances, folk games, and a tea ceremony. The event was organised by HSE University's Chinese Culture Club and the Support and Career Centre for International Students and Alumni.

Scientists at HSE MIEM, in collaboration with colleagues from China, have developed a method to improve the durability of perovskite solar cells by addressing iodine loss from the material. The researchers introduced quaternary ammonium molecules into the perovskite structure; these molecules form strong electrostatic pairs with iodine ions, effectively anchoring them within the crystal lattice. As a result, the solar cells retain more than 92% of their power after a thousand hours of operation at 85°C. The study has been published in Advanced Energy Materials.

Marina Sheshukova chose research in mathematical statistics and probability theory over a career in music. In this interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, she discusses Markov chains, multi-armed bandits, and her dog named after the mathematician Camille Jordan.

An international team, including researchers from HSE University, has created the first comprehensive map of quadruplexes—unstable DNA structures involved in gene regulation. For the first time, scientists have shown that these structures function in pairs: one is located in a DNA region that initiates gene transcription, while the other lies in a nearby region that enhances this process. In healthy tissues, quadruplexes regulate tissue-specific genes, whereas in cancerous tissues they influence genes responsible for cell growth and division. These findings may contribute to the development of new anticancer drugs that target quadruplexes. The study has been published in Nucleic Acids Research.

The Sino-Russian Association of Fundamental Sciences has officially begun its work in China. It brings together research centres in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, and Earth sciences, with participation from HSE University scholars. During the launch conference, the Sino-Russian Mathematics Series project was also presented; it envisages the publication of 100 textbooks and monographs over the next ten years. HSE University representatives Ivan Arzhantsev and Sergei Lando have joined the project’s editorial board.

Chinese students gained practical knowledge in the design, assembly, and operation of small spacecraft and systems, as well as in quantum mechanics, superconductivity, and materials science for solar energy.