09 Apr 2025
Pharmacology Professor from Volgograd State Medical University (Volgograd, Russia), Valentina N. Perfilova, PhD, DSc, is presently visiting the Department of Biosciences and Bioinformatics and Suzhou Key Lab of Neurobiology and Cell Signaling at the School of Science of XJTLU. Hosted by Academy Professor Alan Kaluev, she will spend 3 months in Suzhou, working with various aspects of neuropharmacology and CNS disease modeling using a promising model organism, zebrafish, currently established at XJTLU.
At Volgograd State Medical University, Prof. Perfilova conducts extensive preclinical studies of new drugs in vivo in various animal species, including mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits, as well as in vitro. Her research interests include experimental pharmacology of cardiovascular drugs, cardioprotection, neuropsychopharmacology, oncopharmacology, gerontoprotectors, as well as molecular and physiological mechanisms of aging.
However, a highly promising organism in medicine, the zebrafish is still rarely used in Russia, and Prof. Perfilova's internship in the world-class zebrafish neuroscience laboratory at XJTLU is aimed at training her in conducting experiments on this new model and then bringing this line of research to Volgograd State Medical University, to conduct collaborating fundamental research on CNS functions and brain aging. Professor John Moraros, Dean, School of Science stated: “We are delighted to host Prof. Perfilova from Russia. This promising research collaboration ideally fits XJTLU’s strong commitment to internationalization and may help improve the efficiency of fundamental work in the field of pathogenesis of brain diseases and molecular mechanisms of its aging, as well as the search for and lead to the development of new drugs with high activity, bioavailability and safety.”
Professor Perfilova's visit to XJTLU is her very first time in China. She was kind enough to share with us her immediate impressions of the School of Science, XJTLU, Suzhou and China. "I have already been in China for over 10 days - but it's like on a different planet: an exotic, mysterious and amazing country, completely different from Russia in terms of lifestyle and culture. A wonderful place to visit! Firstly, this is, of course, my love for the Chinese cuisine and street food. You can't see anything like this in Russia. You need a lot of time to try everything, such a wide variety. Secondly, absolutely wonderful people - friendly and open, ready to help at any moment. And incredibly hardworking." - she said.
Professor Perfilova also stressed that she is very lucky to stay in Suzhou - such an ancient city on the water, and one of the most famous and beautiful cities in China with a long history and special culture. "The modern part of it has high-rise buildings, very reminiscent of Russia, the outskirts of Moscow. The ancient city, where the famous Chinese gardens are located is an incredibly beautiful place". - continued the visiting scholar.
"The School of Science at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University impressed me much with a wide range of specialties, excellent laboratories with high-tech equipment, and extensive research work in various fields of science. The international learning environment is supported by academic staff from nearly 40 countries. Equally impressive is the ultra-modern campus of XJTLU located in a landscaped green area. I think the University has created comfortable conditions for education and research work. The atmosphere is vibrant and friendly. Studying here, in my opinion, is very prestigious and interesting and leads to a University of Liverpool, UK degree. Finally, my hosting neuroscience lab and all colleagues and students I have met here are highly competent, hardworking,qualified, sociable and supportive. I feel very lucky to have my internship in this laboratory with a world renown scientist in the field such as Professor Allan Kaluev. I hope that the skills I have acquired will help me to establish work in this research direction at my university in Russia, and I look forward to foster a productive international collaboration with Professor Allan Kaluev and my other colleagues in China".
Content from：Professor Alan Kaluev
09 Apr 2025