[09/07/2026]
As part of his visit to Dubna, CLAF Director Ulisses Barres became acquainted with the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research's scientific programme and research infrastructure. During his visit, he toured the NICA complex at the Laboratory of High Energy Physics and the IBR-2 pulsed reactor at the Laboratory of Neutron Physics. He also learned about the participation of JINR research teams in international projects in neutron physics and particle astrophysics conducted at the Laboratory of Nuclear Problems. In addition, Dr. Barres attended the 63rd Meeting of the JINR Programme Advisory Committee for Nuclear Physics (PAC NP) and met with Dmitry Kamanin, Director of the JINR University Centre, and Ivan Padrón Dias, Deputy Director for Scientific Work at the Laboratory of Radiation Biology.
A bilateral meeting between the Director of CLAF and the leadership of the Joint Institute took place at the JINR International Conference Centre. JINR Director, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Grigory Trubnikov, highlighted the importance and future prospects of strengthening ties with the Latin American scientific community and expressed his willingness to expand this dialogue.
"Your organization can serve as an excellent channel—a bridge—for bringing new Latin American countries into collaborative research projects with the Joint Institute," emphasized Grigory Trubnikov. "Cooperation between JINR and CLAF will enhance academic mobility for researchers on both sides of the Atlantic while fostering initiatives that encourage young people to pursue careers in science."
Ulisses Barres de Almeida presented the history of CLAF's creation and recalled the period of close cooperation between the two intergovernmental organizations during the late 1990s and early 2000s, under the directorship of Luis Máperi, noting that this is an ideal moment to further strengthen their partnership. Today, CLAF seeks to elevate Latin American physics to a new level by promoting the development of scientific infrastructure and its integration on a regional and international scale.
"I believe that CLAF can provide a new window for the Joint Institute by expanding JINR's engagement with the countries of the region beyond traditional bilateral agreements. In this way, we will be able to work together as a single multilateral research network, which will undoubtedly strengthen science throughout our region," said Dr. Barres.
At the conclusion of his remarks, the Brazilian scientist, on behalf of CLAF, invited JINR to join a coordination group currently being established to promote cooperation in physics across Latin America.
Also participating in the meetings on behalf of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research were Chief Scientific Secretary Sergey Nedelko, Head of the Department of International Cooperation Otilia-Ana Culicov, and Deputy Director of the Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) Norbert Kucerka.
The negotiations culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The new agreement establishes the principal areas of cooperation between JINR and CLAF in fields of mutual interest, including particle physics and astrophysics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, nanotechnology and materials science, radiobiology, and medical physics, as well as the development of joint education and training programmes.
Both institutions expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the agreed plans and committed to further developing the details of future joint initiatives over the coming months.