The prize is awarded for her contribution to the genetics of life span and aging.
Yekaterina Proshkina was born on August 18, 1986, in Syktyvkar. She has a PhD in Biology, and is a researcher at the Institute of Biology of the Komi Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Urals Branch.
Aging is the body’s gradual deterioration in performing its functions and the loss of its ability to resist damaging environmental factors, illnesses and injuries. This ability depends on the efficiency of the cellular and body defence systems, in particular DNA cell repair (regeneration). Yekaterina Proshkina studied the role of this mechanism in regulating the human life span. For the first time in the world, she has demonstrated that activating the genes required for the stability of the DNA significantly slows down ageing and increases the human life span. She also described the positive impact on the body’s vitality of a number of pharmacological preparations and plant-based biologically active substances. It has been established that they are capable of suppressing the proteins related to cell ageing and stimulating the cell’s defence mechanisms. The researcher also studied changes in the activity of genes in response to chemical pollutants and radiation.
Yekaterina Proshkina’s findings were published in national and foreign magazines with an above average impact factor. She took part in research supported by a large number of grants, both as project head and team member. Along with research, Yekaterina Proshkina is actively involved in teaching at universities.
Yekaterina Proshkina’s work is of a complex innovative nature and can form the basis for the development of new areas of fundamental and applied science.