Dr. Daria Avdanina | Genetic Engineering | Women Researcher Award
“Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences | Russia
Dr. Daria Avdanina is a researcher at the Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, specializing in the biological deterioration and protection of cultural heritage. Her scientific expertise lies at the intersection of cell biology, mycology, microbiology, and conservation science, with a strong focus on identifying complex consortia of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms responsible for the degradation of artworks. Her work integrates molecular diagnostics, DNA extraction, whole-genome sequencing, and post-sequencing analysis to understand microbial colonization of historical objects, particularly ancient tempera paintings and monumental art. She has successfully completed and led competitively funded research projects supported by the Russian Science Foundation and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. Through interdisciplinary collaborations with major museums and leading research institutes, she applies advanced analytical techniques such as ATR-FTIR, SEM, XRF, Raman spectroscopy, and EDX. Her contributions culminate in practical restoration guidelines and the development of non-toxic, environmentally safe biocides, advancing sustainable conservation practices and reinforcing the scientific foundations of heritage preservation.
Featured Publications
Biodeterioration Aspects of the 16th Century Icon “Deesis Tier of Thirteen Figures” by the Fungus Iodophanus sp. STG-150: A Range of Materials for Biodegradation and Selection of Target Antiseptics
Daria A. Avdanina, Olga B. Vorobyova, Anna A. Ermolyuk, et al., Journal of Cultural Heritage, 2026.
A. A. Ermolyuk, D. A. Avdanina, F. S. Koblov, et al., Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2025.
Daria Avdanina, Anna Ermolyuk, Nikolay Simonenko, et al., Heritage, 2025.
Anna Ermolyuk, Daria Avdanina, Adelya Khayrova, et al., Heritage Science, 2024.
Liudmila A. Alexandrova, Oleg V. Shevchenko, Maxim V. Jasko, et al., New Journal of Chemistry, 2022.