The administration of Saratov University and the directorate of the Institute of Chemistry, SSU, announce with regret that on June 8, at the age of 72, Honourary Worker of Higher Professional Education, Doctor of Chemistry, Professor, Chair of the Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Director of the Institute of Chemistry, SSU, from 2004 to 2020 Olga Fedotova passed away.
Olga Fedotova was born on April 25, 1949 in Saratov. After graduating from SSU, she worked as an engineer at the Laboratory of Hydrogenation and Catalysis, where research was carried out in heterogeneous catalysis and catalytic synthesis. Later she worked as a junior and senior researcher, and then, after completing the correspondence off-site postgraduate study course of the department, in 1978 she successfully defended her thesis. Since 1983 she has worked as an associate professor, since 1999 – as a professor at the Department of Organic Chemistry.
According to the results of numerous systematic studies in 2000, Olga Fedotova discovered a new scientific field in the chemistry of carbonyl-containing heterospiranes, which she summarised in her doctoral dissertation. Under her supervision 15 candidate dissertations were defended as well as one doctoral dissertation with her scientific advice. Since 2008, Olga Fedotova chaired the Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry.
On her initiative, the Biocatalysis Research and Educational Centre (REC) was established, the Laboratory of New Substances and Materials is functioning, the Spectrum Analysis Laboratory, and the Laboratory of Elemental analysis have been developed. Olga Fedotova also contributed to an ecological and chemical lyceum worked at the Faculty of Chemistry, she assisted in Rosneftklass organisation, and actively communicated with partners-employers.
Olga Fedotova has published more than 270 research and education-to-methodology papers, including those with a high citation index, monographies have been published, more than 20 copyright certificates for inventions have been received.
From 1993 to 2005, she served as the scientific secretary, and since 2009 – the chair of the Dissertation Council on Chemistry at SSU. Since 2005, Olga Fedotova was the deputy editor-in-chief of the Izvestia Saratov University. New series. Chemistry series. Biology. Ecology.
Olga Fedotova was awarded with the 1st degree diploma and the gold medal of the VII Saratov Salon of Inventions, Innovations, and Investments, the Certificate of Honour of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation for her significant contribution to the training of scientific and pedagogical personnel. For many years of fruitful work on the development and improvement of the education, of active research, of training highly qualified specialists, she was awarded with the Honourary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation badge.
In 2020 she was awarded the Height Award for researchers and pedagogues of higher education institutions in Saratov Region for high achievements in pedagogy and research.
Olga Fedotova was an amazingly beautiful, charming, and enrapturing woman. The magnetism of her personality, her brilliant communication skills, her desire and ability to transform the world around her made her a centre of attraction for chemists, university colleagues, students, and postgraduates. She appreciated beauty and order, took care of improving the living and laboratory conditions in her alma mater institute, was fond of country chores, was a confident driver, loved going to the theatre and attending concerts.
In the research and student community, Olga Fedotova was greatly respected. We cherish the memory of Olga Fedotova.
We offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Olga Fedotova.
The civil funeral service will take place on Thursday, June 10, at 11.00 a.m. in the Lower Auditorium of SSU Bldg. I.
P.S. A huge request to everyone who will come to say goodbye to Olga Fedotova to follow the mask regime.
