About the team
The Laboratory of Structure and Dynamics of Plankton Communities conducts comprehensive research on the pelagic ecosystems of the World Ocean, combining classical methods of marine biology with advanced technological approaches. The team is an interdisciplinary group of experts, including doctors and candidates of biological and physico-mathematical sciences, as well as talented young researchers.
The Laboratory is an active educational platform. Students from leading Russian universities (Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology and others) regularly carry out their course and diploma projects with our groups. We maintain continuity between scientific generations by involving students in large-scale expeditions to the Atlantic and the southern seas of Russia, and by giving them access to unique archival data and modern laboratory equipment. The wide range of topics, from the taxonomy of individual species to global climate modelling, allows the Laboratory to remain one of the leading centres for the study of plankton communities.
Alexander Vereshchaka
Head of Laboratory
DSc (Biological Sciences), Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Marine biologist specialising in bio-oceanography, author of 11 monographs and over 100 scientific publications.
Galina Abyzova
Researcher
Has been working at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology since graduating from Moscow State University in 2012. Studies the biodiversity of zooplankton in polar and temperate zones, combining classical taxonomy with molecular methods to analyse the biogeography of pteropods and ctenophores. Participant of numerous Arctic and Atlantic expeditions.
Elena Alekseenko
Senior Researcher
PhD (Physics and Mathematics)
Since 2016, has been serving as a Senior Researcher at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology. Specialises in mathematical modelling of oceanic processes, including hydrodynamics, biogeochemistry, sedimentation and climate dynamics. Studies the climatic and anthropogenic impacts on processes in the coastal zone and the open ocean.
Ludmila Anokhina
Researcher
PhD (Biological Sciences)
Member of the Laboratory of Structure and Dynamics of Plankton Communities since 1994. A specialist in mesozooplankton and benthopelagic animals. In 2013, defended a PhD thesis entitled “Composition, abundance dynamics, and biomass of benthopelagic invertebrates and their role in the coastal ecosystem of the Black Sea: a case study of Golubaya Bay.” Regular participant of marine and coastal research expeditions.
Andrey Vedenin
Researcher
PhD (Biological Sciences)
Graduated from the Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, in 2012. Has worked at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology since 2013: until 2019 in the Laboratory of Deep-Sea Benthic Fauna, now in the plankton laboratory. Studies the ecology and biogeography of benthic and planktonic communities; has taken part in expeditions to the Arctic seas, the Atlantic and the Caribbean.
Vladimir Gagarin
Senior Researcher
PhD (Biological Sciences)
A specialist in biological oceanography. Studies the structure and functioning of plankton communities.
Daria Zasko
Researcher
PhD (Biological Sciences)
Member of the laboratory since 1999. Graduated in 1996 from the Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and in the same year entered the postgraduate programme at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology. In 2004, defended a PhD thesis entitled “Radiolarians of the North Atlantic.” A specialist in radiolarians and mesozooplankton, with extensive experience in marine and coastal research expeditions.
Dmitry Kulagin
Senior Researcher
PhD (Biological Sciences)
Graduated in 2007 from the Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, with a degree in Zoology. Since 2008 has been working at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences. Research interests include the biology and distribution of chaetognaths (Chaetognatha), molecular phylogeny and evolution of pelagic higher crustaceans (Euphausiacea and pelagic Decapoda), and molecular phylogeography of meso- and bathypelagic macroplankton.
Anna Lifanchuk
Researcher
PhD (Biological Sciences)
Has been working in the laboratory since 2021. In 2017, defended a PhD thesis in Biology under the supervision of DSc V.A. Silkin, titled “Ecological and physiological characteristics of dominant phytoplankton species in the northeastern Black Sea.” A specialist in the ecology of marine phytoplankton; studies the influence of mineral nutrients on phytoplankton community structure and makes extensive use of scanning electron microscopy.
Anastasiia Lunina
Senior Researcher
PhD (Biological Sciences)
Graduated in 2004 from the Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, with a degree in Zoology, and subsequently entered the postgraduate programme at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology. Has been working in the laboratory since 2006. A specialist in the morphology and phylogeny of pelagic crustaceans; carries out taxonomic and evolutionary studies. Has participated in research expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea.
Alexander Mikaelyan
Leading Researcher
DSc (Biological Sciences)
Has been working at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology for over 40 years. A leading specialist in the structure and dynamics of marine phytoplankton. The main research focus is on the impact of physical factors on the primary productivity of marine ecosystems.
Irina Mosharova
Senior Researcher
PhD (Biological Sciences)
Has been working in the laboratory since 2019. Prior to that, worked at the Faculty of Biology of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Studies the ecology of marine and freshwater bacterio- and virioplankton, using modern methods for assessing the abundance and activity of microplankton.
Larisa Pautova
Senior Researcher
PhD (Biological Sciences)
Has 25 years of experience at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences. An expert in the ecology of marine phytoplankton; studies the mechanisms that shape the structure of microalgae communities.
Anton Tikhomirov
Engineer
Has been working in the laboratory since 2023. Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2024 from the Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Studies the morphology and phylogeny of pelagic higher crustaceans and the role of environmental factors in evolutionary trends and adaptations to ecological niches.
Andrey Chernyshev
Lead Engineer
Has been working in the laboratory since 2016 (participant in the laboratory’s expeditions since 2007). Responsible for processing and digitising data, contributes to the oceanic zooplankton database, and develops methods for automating the quantitative assessment of small plankton.
Tamara Shiganova
Chief Researcher
DSc (Biological Sciences)
Has been working in the laboratory since 1990. A leading expert on invasive species (primarily the comb jellies Mnemiopsis leidyi and Beroe ovata) in the seas of Eurasia. Studies the impact of alien species on marine ecosystems and fish stocks.
Anna Yushmanova
Researcher
PhD (Physics and Mathematics)
Graduated with a Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) in 2017, 2019 and 2022. In 2022, defended a PhD thesis under the supervision of PhD D.I. Glukhovets, titled “Comprehensive assessment of spectral absorption coefficients of seawater using contact and remote sensing methods.” A specialist in the spectral characteristics of light absorption by seawater. Participant in 7 oceanic and 6 coastal expeditions.
Web of Science ResearcherID: AAD-1904-2021 | RSCI AuthorID: 886154
