HEFEI, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- From the ballet stage to a nuclear fusion laboratory, Russian research administrator Viktoriia Saklakova has found her new rhythm on Science Island in eastern China, coordinating international teams working on the world's most advanced fusion experiments.
The 36-year-old serves as the head of international cooperation at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP). Based on Science Island in Hefei, Anhui Province, she is responsible for coordinating exchanges, joint experiments, and talent programs for researchers from over 50 countries.
Inside her office, Viktoriia navigates a constant stream of emails in Chinese, Russian and English. Just meters away sit two of China's major fusion devices: the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), the world's first fully superconducting tokamak device nicknamed China's "artificial sun," and the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST), China's next-generation "artificial sun" under construction.
Since she joined ASIPP in 2023, it has become part of her monthly routine to host dozens of foreign experts. "I want to help China's 'artificial sun' make more friends."
Viktoriia's connection to China dates back two decades. She first visited northeast China's Heilongjiang Province in 2006 and later performed as a ballet dancer there. The experiences inspired her to learn Chinese, pursue a physics master's degree at the Harbin Institute of Technology, and eventually earn a doctorate from the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei.
After graduation, Viktoriia decided that remaining on Science Island, a leading global hub for nuclear fusion research, would be her best choice. Over the past three years, she has helped broker partnerships between ASIPP and institutions including the International Atomic Energy Agency and Russia's Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.
Fusion research requires tight global coordination. Viktoriia noted that EAST's experimental schedule is divided into three time slots to accommodate researchers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
To keep projects on track, she often works late into the night, fielding messages and joining video conferences across multiple time zones. For many scientists, she acts as more than an interpreter; she coordinates device access, facilitates joint research, and helps young researchers find opportunities in China.
China's fusion program has accelerated in recent years. EAST has set multiple world records, and ASIPP has completed several key procurement packages for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project.
"China's progress in controlled nuclear fusion has amazed peers globally," Viktoriia said, attributing the momentum to long-term strategic planning and an open approach to international collaboration.
Beyond connecting established researchers, Viktoriia is also cultivating the next generation. Starting in the summer of 2024, she began organizing an international student summer camp, bringing young participants to Science Island to gain firsthand experience with China's fusion research.
Maxim Andreev, a master's student at the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, attended this year's camp. He said the experience solidified his plan to pursue a doctorate at ASIPP.
"Cross-border cooperation will greatly advance fusion energy for all humanity," he said.
Looking ahead, Viktoriia aims to expand her network of partner institutions and facilitate more joint experiments on next-generation devices.
"Fusion is a generational endeavor," she said. "Here in China, I'm willing to dedicate my lifetime to it." Enditem
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