Dr. Aleksandra Lavrikova | Environmental Health | Best Researcher Award

Post – doctoral at EPFL | Switzerland

Aleksandra Lavrikova is a highly promising early-career researcher with strong academic and professional achievements that make her a suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With a solid background in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and biophysics, and currently serving as a postdoctoral researcher at the Swiss Plasma Center, EPFL, she has developed expertise in advanced experimental methods and interdisciplinary plasma research. Her work focuses on microbial inactivation, biofilm eradication, wastewater treatment, and plasma–cell interactions, resulting in multiple publications in reputed international journals. She has secured independent grants as a principal investigator, received awards for scientific excellence, and actively participated in international collaborations, reflecting leadership potential and global engagement. While her profile could be further strengthened through more high-impact publications, expanded translational research, and greater leadership in multi-institutional projects, her contributions to plasma science and biomedical applications already demonstrate significant impact, making her a deserving candidate for recognition.

Professional Profile 

Education

Aleksandra Lavrikova’s educational journey reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation that has shaped her into a skilled and versatile researcher. She began her studies with a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology where she gained essential knowledge in life sciences and laboratory research. Building upon this, she pursued a Master’s degree in Nanotechnology and Microsystems Technology at the People’s Friendship University of Russia  equipping her with advanced technical and analytical skills at the intersection of biology and engineering. Her academic path culminated in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biophysics from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia where she specialized in the study of plasma interactions with biological systems and microbial biofilms. This progression from biotechnology through nanotechnology to biophysics demonstrates her commitment to integrating multiple disciplines, enabling her to conduct impactful research with both scientific depth and practical relevance.

Experience

Aleksandra Lavrikova’s professional experience highlights her steady growth as a dedicated and innovative researcher in the fields of microbiology, plasma science, and biophysics. She began her career as a laboratory assistant at the Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow where she gained valuable hands-on experience in molecular biology, microbiological analysis, and cell culture techniques. This early role laid the groundwork for her future focus on microbial systems and their interactions with novel technologies. Following the completion of her PhD, she advanced to her current role as a postdoctoral researcher at the Swiss Plasma Center, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). In this prestigious position, she has been actively involved in interdisciplinary projects exploring cold atmospheric plasma applications for microbial inactivation, biofilm control, and environmental treatments. Her international research collaborations, grant leadership, and contributions to high-impact publications reflect her growing independence and recognition as a promising researcher.

Research Interest

Aleksandra Lavrikova’s research interests lie at the intersection of microbiology, biophysics, and plasma science, with a focus on innovative solutions to biomedical and environmental challenges. She is particularly interested in the microbiological analysis of single cells, fungi, and bacterial biofilms, as well as the study of plasma–cell interactions at the molecular and cellular levels. Her expertise spans advanced molecular biology techniques, including PCR, protein and RNA isolation, immunoblotting, and flow cytometry, alongside spectroscopy and microscopy methods for in-depth characterization. A key area of her research involves the use of cold atmospheric plasmas and plasma-activated liquids for microbial inactivation, biofilm eradication, and wastewater treatment, highlighting the practical applications of her work in both healthcare and environmental sustainability. She is also engaged in studying mechanisms such as cell membrane integrity, DNA damage, and reactive oxygen species accumulation. This multidisciplinary approach demonstrates her commitment to advancing plasma-based technologies for global benefit.

Award and Honor

Aleksandra Lavrikova has received notable awards and honors that reflect her excellence, innovation, and growing recognition in the scientific community. she was a finalist in the Falling Walls Lab (Slovakia) competition, which highlights breakthrough ideas with global impact, underscoring the novelty and societal relevance of her research. The same year, she was awarded a Short Term Scientific Mission Grant to pursue collaborative research on cold plasma interactions with bacterial biofilms at University College Dublin, Ireland, demonstrating her active engagement in international scientific exchange. She also earned the Ján D. Skalný Prize for Best Oral Presentation at the Symposium on Application of Plasma Processes recognizing her outstanding ability to communicate complex research effectively. In addition, she successfully secured multiple competitive research grants as principal investigator during her PhD studies, which highlights her leadership and independence in scientific inquiry.

Research Skill

Aleksandra Lavrikova possesses a broad and advanced set of research skills that enable her to conduct interdisciplinary investigations in microbiology, plasma science, and biophysics. She is proficient in microbiological techniques, including the cultivation and analysis of bacteria, fungi, and biofilms, as well as in vitro manipulations involving virus-infected eukaryotic cells. Her expertise extends to molecular biology methods such as PCR, protein and RNA isolation, electrophoresis, and immunoblotting, which allow her to explore cellular mechanisms at the molecular level. She is skilled in spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, including fluorescence spectroscopy, absorption studies, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy, for detailed cellular and structural characterization. Additionally, she has experience with flow cytometry and animal experiments, further strengthening her versatility. A key aspect of her skill set is her ability to operate cold plasma discharges and study plasma–cell interactions, enabling innovative applications in biomedical and environmental research.

Publications Top Notes

Title: Flow cytometry study of Escherichia coli treated with plasma-activated water: confirming the absence of the viable but non-culturable state in bacteria
Authors: Agus, Rita; Avino, Fabio; Lavrikova, Aleksandra; Myers, Brayden; Furno, Ivo

Title: Non-thermal plasma coupled with photocatalysis for indoor air treatment at high air flow rates: effects on VOCs and bio-aerosols
Authors: Vazquez, Thomas; Lavrikova, Aleksandra; Wiedermann, Dalimír; Babic, Jan; Palko, Miroslav; Palko, Maroš; Machala, Zdenko

Title: Organic wastewater decontamination by cold plasmas – Improving bacteria inactivation by post-plasma treatment
Authors: Lavrikova, Aleksandra; Avino, Fabio; Agus, Rita; Furno, Ivo

Title: Eradication of single- and mixed-species biofilms of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus by pulsed streamer corona discharge cold atmospheric plasma
Authors: Lavrikova, Aleksandra; Janda, Mário; Bujdáková, Helena; Hensel, Karol

Title: Plasma-activated water retains antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli after 72 h of storage
Authors: Agus, Rita; Pipoz, Laurens; Avino, Fabio; Lavrikova, Aleksandra; Myers, Brayden; Furno, Ivo

Conclusion

Aleksandra Lavrikova shows strong potential and already has a remarkable track record for an early-career researcher. Her multidisciplinary expertise in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and plasma biophysics, combined with her successful independent grants, peer-reviewed publications, and international collaborations, make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. She stands out particularly for her contributions to plasma applications in microbiology, biofilms, and environmental treatment, which have both scientific and societal relevance. With continued growth in high-impact publications, expanded leadership roles, and stronger translational applications of her work, she has the potential to become an internationally recognized leader in her field. At her current trajectory, she is highly suitable for recognition, and awarding her would not only honor her achievements but also encourage further groundbreaking contributions to science.

Aleksandra Lavrikova | Environmental Health | Best Researcher Award

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