Student Scientific Expedition to the Dagestan State Nature Reserve

From April 29 to May 8, 2026, the RUDN University Institute of Ecology conducted a scientific expedition to the Dagestan State Nature Reserve (Sarykum Dunes section).

Third-year RUDN University students participated in the event, as did Oleg Markelov, a student in the Faculty of Oil and Gas Geology and Geophysics and a member of the Student Scientific Society of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) (group GE-24-06). Olga Polynova, PhD, Associate Professor of the RUDN University Department of Geoecology, supervised the expedition.

During the expedition, the students conducted a geobotanical assessment of the territories, detailed monitoring of the population status, census of individuals, analysis of the age and sex structure, and recording of behavioral patterns.

The field data collected during the expedition is planned to be used in the preparation of scientific publications and student research projects. Participation in the expedition allowed students to master modern field methods of geobotanical zoning and herpetological surveys, strengthen their skills in visually identifying species using identification guides, and gain experience in the primary statistical processing of field data in a natural research station.

Representing members of the Gubkin University Student Scientific Society at external venues is part of the university's Student Scientific Society development program, «Strategy for New Discoveries.»