My father was a physicist, my mother was a biologist, so in a sense, I was born a scientist. I did not exactly follow in my parents’ footsteps, but chose something in-between instead. Strangely, I do not consider my area of expertise to be the most important one. I like molecular biology and I think that major breakthroughs can be expected in this particular field in the next ten years. I am convinced that in modern science there is a tendency to fuse various disciplines together, e.g. chemistry, biology and physics. Take an article from one of the top scientific journals (does not matter if it is published in Russia or abroad) – you will notice a multidisciplinary flavor everywhere. Russian works mostly deal with synthesis, biological activity, X-ray analysis and quantum chemistry. As soon as you discover a pattern in one discipline, try to apply it in an allied area of research. In a way, a scientist is now an alchemist but of a brand new type. Evolution moves in a spiral.

I would recommend that young scientists take a closer look at molecular biology. Development of new bioactive compounds and investigation of their properties are also interesting, but it is hard to struggle your way to the top here, much effort is lost on tilting at windmills. Medical chemistry is interesting, promising and important. To be a researcher, you have to be able to work in a team; you cannot conquer alone. To be a good scientific supervisor you’ve got to have talent. Go abroad. I worked in the UK in 1999–2000, 2005 and 2010. It was great experience. Whether to spend the rest of your life there or to come back to Russia is up to you. I do not think it is critical, because science is an international phenomenon.