Dr. Alexander Zhgun | Engineering and Technology | Research Excellence Award

Group of Fungal Genetic Engineering, Federal Research Center | Russia

Alexander Alexandrovich Zhgun is a senior researcher and head of the Fungal Genetic Engineering Group at the Federal Research Center “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with more than three decades of scientific contribution in biotechnology and cultural heritage protection. He earned his biology degree from Lomonosov Moscow State University and completed a PhD focused on cytochromes P450, building a strong foundation in molecular and fungal biotechnology. His academic career progressed from researcher to group leader, culminating in his appointment as head of the fungal genetic engineering group. His research interests center on molecular diagnostics of biodeterioration, metabolic engineering of fungal strains, secondary fungal metabolites, and biotechnological strategies for protecting historical paintings from microbial damage. Under his leadership, innovative diagnostic systems and preventive technologies for biodegradation of cultural heritage have been developed, alongside pioneering studies that reframe painting-destructive fungi as valuable biotechnological resources.  His scholarly impact includes an h-index reported in the range of 15–16 with corresponding citation records across major databases. Overall, his work bridges fundamental science and applied innovation, delivering lasting impact in biotechnology, antimicrobial discovery, and cultural heritage conservation.

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