On Belarusian Science Day: The Krasochka family from Vitebsk has three doctors of science, and this is not the limit
For the Krasochko dynasty of the Vitebsk Order of "Sign of Honour" State Academy of Veterinary Medicine, science is a family affair
Three Doctors of Science in one family! These employees are the true pride of their alma mater. Petr Krasochko is a Doctor of Veterinary and Biological Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Epizootology and Infectious Diseases. His wife, Irina Aleksandrovna, is also a Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Professor, and heads the Department of Microbiology and Virology of VSAVM. Their 38-year-old son, Pavel, became one of the youngest Doctors of Science in Belarus three years ago. By the way, his wife, Veronika, is also following the family tradition; she is a Candidate of Sciences.
Pavel Krasochko, Head of the Sectoral Laboratory of VSAVM, and Veronika Krasochko, Senior Researcher.
— When a student remains silent during exams, you, an adult, a professor, understand that it is most likely stress. Fairness is not in retaking the exam, but in giving the opportunity to recall everything and, most importantly, the motivation to learn!
He attracts students inshrugs with a smile:
— There are plenty of ideas in my head and on the table. My inventions wouldn't be possible without the contribution of my assistants, including students, postgraduates, and doctoral candidates…
But the professor considers his wife, Irina Aleksandrovna, his first and most important associate. They have been together for almost 40 years.
— I was a fourth-year student at the veterinary academy, — recalls Irina Krasochko, — and he was a postgraduate student in the department, to whom my mentor, Professor Smirnova, assigned me for "patronage." For me, Nina Ivanovna is the prime example of how to interest others in science. Despite her tremendous workload, she found time to personally visit the laboratory, instilling in us, students, the spirit of experimentation. And she was virtuously convincing in this. An effective scientific and, at the same time, human approach is to nurture a follower, a student, by your own example.
Like her husband, Irina Krasochko taught and conducted research at a capital university. Her specialization is infectious pathologies.
— Viruses are studied from a fundamental perspective and, of course, from an applied one, — shares the professor, — for the development of measures and methods for diagnosing, preventing, and treating infectious animal diseases. Here, my husband and I also look in the same direction.
While Petr Albinovich's roots are in the Gomel region, Irina Aleksandrovna returned to her origins in Vitebsk. She says that at home, in her native university, even the walls help with science.
Senior researcher Veronika Krasochko, head of the industry laboratory Pavel Krasochko, head of the department of epizootology and infectious diseases Petr Krasochko, head of the department of microbiology and virology of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine Irina Krasochko.
Petr Albinovich will always support, give the right course, says Yaroslav Yaromchik, Candidate of Veterinary Sciences:
— Under his leadership, for example, two of my developments appeared ("Rotakor-K" and "Baktavir-6"). The latter is a new vaccine that is yet to be approved by the pharmaceutical council. Its goal is to create enhanced colostral immunity in calves. I think practitioners, veterinarians of agricultural enterprises, will appreciate it.
Against the backdrop of sanctions, the vaccines of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine are more relevant than ever. The preparations released in partnership with "BelVitunipharm"not only Belarus needs them, but they also have strong export and import substitution potential. Petr Albinovich provides an update:
— Our vaccines are currently in demand in Russia and Kazakhstan, and preliminary trials in Uzbekistan have shown their efficacy to be 95-98 percent.
Krasochko Jr. began his steps towards his cherished goal at the same place as his parents – at the Vitebsk Veterinary Academy. He chose the "northern" higher education institution, despite the opportunity to become a student at the Belarusian State Technological University without exams.
— I studied at the capital's Gymnasium No. 13, — shares Pavel. — Its profile is chemical-biological, but with a technical mindset, I was always interested in complex equipment. Now, for laboratory work, this is only a plus for me. As a schoolboy, I participated in contests, olympiads, and wrote scientific papers.
As a third-year student, Krasochko received an award from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and later he was recognized at the republican competition of student scientific works. Then came a summer internship abroad, at a poultry farm in England. The trip turned out to be fateful, smiles Pavel's wife, Veronika:
— I studied at the veterinary academy a year younger and also went to England. We returned from the trip as a couple.
Since then, Pavel and Veronika Krasochko have been together all the time. Both at home and even at work, their desks are in the same office. In scientific research, their mutual help and support are also evident, admits Veronika:
— I have the best example right before my eyes!
In 2018, Pavel Krasochko received a grant from the President for the development and implementation of a fundamentally new biological preparation. The vaccine against infectious rhinotracheitis of cattle brought Krasochko a doctorate. Today, together with his wife, they are trying to make the preparation even more effective and economically viable. They are also working on poorly studied diseases.
— Although they do not pose a serious threat to animal life, — Veronika points out, — they nevertheless affect their productivity. Perhaps this is a topic for my future doctoral dissertation.
The beautiful couple of young scientists are raising daughters — 12-year-old Vika and 4-year-old Yana. The elder daughter, under the wing of her parents, is already showing scientific interest. Once, they prepared an interesting experiment together for a school biology lesson.
— If they want to continue the dynasty, we are all for it, — shares Pavel. — Having traveled to many countries, having visited many foreign universities, I am convinced that Belarus has strong science.
Three Doctors of Science in one family! These employees are the true pride of their alma mater. Petr Krasochko is a Doctor of Veterinary and Biological Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Epizootology and Infectious Diseases. His wife, Irina Aleksandrovna, is also a Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Professor, and heads the Department of Microbiology and Virology of VSAVM. Their 38-year-old son, Pavel, became one of the youngest Doctors of Science in Belarus three years ago. By the way, his wife, Veronika, is also following the family tradition; she is a Candidate of Sciences.
Pavel Krasochko, Head of the Sectoral Laboratory of VSAVM, and Veronika Krasochko, Senior Researcher.
The Fire of Scientific Discoveries
If you ask students of the Veterinary Academy: "What kind of teacher is Petr Krasochko?", you will hear an answer backed by years of authority and the ability to see potential. Competent, demanding, and yet loyal – this is all about Petr Albinovich. He is confident:— When a student remains silent during exams, you, an adult, a professor, understand that it is most likely stress. Fairness is not in retaking the exam, but in giving the opportunity to recall everything and, most importantly, the motivation to learn!
He attracts students inshrugs with a smile:
— There are plenty of ideas in my head and on the table. My inventions wouldn't be possible without the contribution of my assistants, including students, postgraduates, and doctoral candidates…
But the professor considers his wife, Irina Aleksandrovna, his first and most important associate. They have been together for almost 40 years.
— I was a fourth-year student at the veterinary academy, — recalls Irina Krasochko, — and he was a postgraduate student in the department, to whom my mentor, Professor Smirnova, assigned me for "patronage." For me, Nina Ivanovna is the prime example of how to interest others in science. Despite her tremendous workload, she found time to personally visit the laboratory, instilling in us, students, the spirit of experimentation. And she was virtuously convincing in this. An effective scientific and, at the same time, human approach is to nurture a follower, a student, by your own example.
Like her husband, Irina Krasochko taught and conducted research at a capital university. Her specialization is infectious pathologies.
— Viruses are studied from a fundamental perspective and, of course, from an applied one, — shares the professor, — for the development of measures and methods for diagnosing, preventing, and treating infectious animal diseases. Here, my husband and I also look in the same direction.
While Petr Albinovich's roots are in the Gomel region, Irina Aleksandrovna returned to her origins in Vitebsk. She says that at home, in her native university, even the walls help with science.
For Domestic Use and Export
Petr Krasochko is the recipient of numerous top awards and scientific discoveries. His areas of interest include virology, the use of beekeeping products for treating animal diseases, probiotics, and the development of immunostimulants. In co-authorship with colleagues, he has developed over 40 indispensable veterinary vaccines, 15 of which are produced by OJSC "BelVitunipharm," and the rest are manufactured at the pilot production site of the S. N. Vyshelessky Institute of Experimental Veterinary Medicine. We should focus on three of them produced by "BelVitunipharm." These are "Enterovak-5," "Rotakor-K," and K, the latter immediately paid off more than 20 times. And the profit from the "Bolshevak" vaccine for the prevention of cattle diseases has already exceeded the budget spent on its development by 50 times. And this is just the beginning!Senior researcher Veronika Krasochko, head of the industry laboratory Pavel Krasochko, head of the department of epizootology and infectious diseases Petr Krasochko, head of the department of microbiology and virology of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine Irina Krasochko. Petr Albinovich will always support, give the right course, says Yaroslav Yaromchik, Candidate of Veterinary Sciences:
— Under his leadership, for example, two of my developments appeared ("Rotakor-K" and "Baktavir-6"). The latter is a new vaccine that is yet to be approved by the pharmaceutical council. Its goal is to create enhanced colostral immunity in calves. I think practitioners, veterinarians of agricultural enterprises, will appreciate it.
Against the backdrop of sanctions, the vaccines of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine are more relevant than ever. The preparations released in partnership with "BelVitunipharm"not only Belarus needs them, but they also have strong export and import substitution potential. Petr Albinovich provides an update:
— Our vaccines are currently in demand in Russia and Kazakhstan, and preliminary trials in Uzbekistan have shown their efficacy to be 95-98 percent.
Engine of Progress
What will scientists, head of the industry laboratory of veterinary biotechnology and infectious diseasesof animal diseases, Pavel Krasochko of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine (VSAVM) knew from childhood. Around the sixth grade, he seriously asked his mom and dad: when would he become an associate professor himself? Today, they are deservedly proud of their son, one of the youngest Doctors of Sciences in our country.Krasochko Jr. began his steps towards his cherished goal at the same place as his parents – at the Vitebsk Veterinary Academy. He chose the "northern" higher education institution, despite the opportunity to become a student at the Belarusian State Technological University without exams.
— I studied at the capital's Gymnasium No. 13, — shares Pavel. — Its profile is chemical-biological, but with a technical mindset, I was always interested in complex equipment. Now, for laboratory work, this is only a plus for me. As a schoolboy, I participated in contests, olympiads, and wrote scientific papers.
As a third-year student, Krasochko received an award from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and later he was recognized at the republican competition of student scientific works. Then came a summer internship abroad, at a poultry farm in England. The trip turned out to be fateful, smiles Pavel's wife, Veronika:
— I studied at the veterinary academy a year younger and also went to England. We returned from the trip as a couple.
Since then, Pavel and Veronika Krasochko have been together all the time. Both at home and even at work, their desks are in the same office. In scientific research, their mutual help and support are also evident, admits Veronika:
— I have the best example right before my eyes!
In 2018, Pavel Krasochko received a grant from the President for the development and implementation of a fundamentally new biological preparation. The vaccine against infectious rhinotracheitis of cattle brought Krasochko a doctorate. Today, together with his wife, they are trying to make the preparation even more effective and economically viable. They are also working on poorly studied diseases.
— Although they do not pose a serious threat to animal life, — Veronika points out, — they nevertheless affect their productivity. Perhaps this is a topic for my future doctoral dissertation.
The beautiful couple of young scientists are raising daughters — 12-year-old Vika and 4-year-old Yana. The elder daughter, under the wing of her parents, is already showing scientific interest. Once, they prepared an interesting experiment together for a school biology lesson.
— If they want to continue the dynasty, we are all for it, — shares Pavel. — Having traveled to many countries, having visited many foreign universities, I am convinced that Belarus has strong science.
The scientific base and human resources. This is the main engine of progress. This means that with new discoveries and how to bring them to life, everything will work out.