The scientific and professional career of Ruben Harutyunyan, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Doctor of Biological Sciences and Professor, has been closely connected with Yerevan State University for decades. A graduate of the YSU Faculty of Biology, he has spent more than half a century of academic and research work at the university, educating young specialists and nurturing a new generation of researchers. His 80th anniversary was solemnly marked at the YSU Faculty of Biology, bringing together his colleagues, students, former students and members of the university community.
Having received his Doctor of Biological Sciences degree in 1981, Ruben Harutyunyan has focused his research on mutagenesis, antimutagenesis, human cytogenetics, genomic instability and environmental genotoxicology. Research conducted under his supervision has contributed both to the development of various fields of genetics in Armenia and to the expansion of international scientific cooperation.
From 1991 to 2026, Ruben Harutyunyan headed the Chair of Genetics and Cytology at the YSU Faculty of Biology, devoting around three and a half decades of his scientific and organizational experience to the development of the chair. During his tenure, the chair's research areas expanded, international collaborations were established and developed, research programs were implemented, and numerous students, PhD students and young researchers were trained.
Since 2014, Professor Harutyunyan has also headed the Laboratory of General and Molecular Genetics at the YSU Institute of Biology.
Ruben Harutyunyan's scientific activities have long extended beyond the national scientific community. Over the years, he has participated in numerous international conferences and research programs and contributed to establishing and developing cooperation with leading foreign research centers. An important component of his work has also been enhancing the international recognition of the Armenian school of genetics.
During the event, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and Dean of the YSU Faculty of Biology Karen Ghazaryan delivered congratulatory remarks. They highlighted Ruben Harutyunyan's longstanding academic and research activities, his contribution to the university, and his significant role in establishing a scientific school and educating younger generations.
As part of the anniversary event, Ruben Harutyunyan's longstanding academic and research activities and his contribution to the development of YSU were also recognized with honorary awards. The YSU rector presented him with a silver medal established by the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia, in recognition of his many years of university and scientific work.
Professor Harutyunyan was also awarded a medal of the Center for Ecological and Noosphere Studies. Center Director Lilit Sahakyan highlighted the significance of Ruben Harutyunyan's scientific work and his contribution to the development of scientific cooperation.
The anniversary event also featured a concert program, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. At the same time, it served as a symbolic expression of appreciation for the scientist's career and the continuity of the scientific school he established.
Ruben Harutyunyan's longstanding work is one of the chapters in YSU's history where science, education and the development of future generations come together around a shared mission. The scientific traditions he established continue today through the work of his students and young researchers, supporting the development of the scientific school and the transfer of knowledge to new generations.
