YSU biologists took part in FEMS 2025

A delegation from YSU Faculty of Biology participated in the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS 2025) international conference, showing Armenia’s scientific potential. The Armenian delegation, comprising 30 participants, included doctoral and master’s students, as well as young researchers.

In the interview with us, Director of the Research Institute of Biology Karen Trchounian, Professor and Doctor of Biological Sciences, stressed that Armenia had previously participated in the FEMS conference, but this year, the number of Armenian participants was unprecedented.

"Even participants from other countries were impressed, saying, 'Wherever we go, there are Armenians.' This proves the increasing activity of our scientific community," he stated.

The representatives of Armenia presented both oral reports and poster presentations, which stood out due to their quality. The topics of the reports were diverse, including bacteria, fungi, metabolic processes, mechanisms for energy recovery from waste, and other current scientific directions.

"Our participants presented two poster presentations, both of which were very well received. This also speaks to the growing level of our scientific community," noted Professor Trchounian.

In addition to the scientific content, the conference served as a vital opportunity for establishing new scientific connections. Reflecting on this, he said, "We discussed matters related to joint scientific experiments and student exchange programs with representatives from various countries. We are considering hosting a similar conference in Armenia in the near future, which will require significant organizational and diplomatic efforts."

The FEMS 2025 conference brought together approximately 2,000 participants. The next conference will take place in 2027 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. According to Professor Trchounian, a larger participation from Armenia is expected.

"Conferences like this are not only a source of professional growth but also a source of inspiration for young people. We must do everything we can to ensure their continuous participation in these platforms," he emphasized.

The majority of the delegation's participation costs were covered by YSU travel grants, which clearly contributed to the increased involvement of the participants.