Students from the YSU chemistry faculty were recognized as winners in the international Olympiad

More than 500 students from 76 leading universities of 23 countries participated in the 2nd International Online Olympiad. 6 students from the YSU Faculty of Chemistry participated in the Olympiad.

The competition was intended both for students (A level) of the chemistry department and for students of other departments (B level). YSU students participated in the A-level competition, and five students won the first category.

Mariam Harutyunyan and Anahit Jilikyan, third-year students of the Faculty of Chemistry, are among the participants winning the first place in the Olympiad. They noted that the tasks of the online Olympiad were diverse and related to both physical chemistry and organic and inorganic chemistry. "Three hours were given to complete the 20 tasks of the Olympiad, although it took a long time to solve each task. Physical chemistry tasks were more logical, organic and inorganic chemistry tasks were also very interesting. All the tasks required deep professional knowledge. We are happy and excited that we were able to have a satisfactory result in the competition."

The competition was held on the "Zoom" platform, with strict remote control over the participants and observation of the audience through cameras.

Mariam Harutyunyan, who during her school years participated in the Republican Chemistry Olympiad, as well as in the Pan-Armenian Tournament of Young Chemists, noted that the responsibility was greater when participating in this Olympiad, because she was representing YSU." At the last second, I decided to participate in the Olympiad and I realized that I had to keep the name of the university high."

Anahit Jilikyan, in addition to participating in competitions during her school years, participated in the "Student Natural Science Tournament" in her first year as a member of the YSU team, and the team took the third place. 

Mariam Harutyunyan and Anahit Jilikyan are currently working in the asymmetric catalysis group of the Chemistry Research Center, the head of which is Armen Galstyan, Candidate of Chemical Sciences and Associate Professor.

Referring to the group's activities, Armen Galstyan mentioned that they are currently synthesizing "Triazole derivatives" in the laboratory, which are chemical substances synthesized for the first time in the world.

"They are potential asymmetric catalysts that may be used for the synthesis of asymmetric substances and also have biological activity," said the head of the research group, emphasizing that these substances may also have pharmacological activity, that is, become a drug component.

It should be noted that among the participants from the YSU Faculty of Chemistry of the 2nd International Olympiad organized by Magtymguly Turkmen State University were Mariam Harutyunyan ("Chemistry" speciality, bachelor's degree, 3rd year, prize: 1st place), Anahit Jilikyan ("Chemistry" speciality, bachelor's degree, 3rd year, prize: 1st place), Aren Kirakosyan ("Chemistry" speciality, bachelor's degree, 1st year, prize: 1st place), Leonid Asatryan ("Chemistry" speciality, bachelor's degree, 1st year, prize: 1st place), Tigran Mkhitaryan ("Chemistry" speciality, bachelor's degree, 1st year, prize: 1st place), Gevorg Hayrapetyan ("Chemistry" speciality, bachelor's degree, 1st year, prize: 2nd place).

YSU students also participated in the Online Chemistry Olympiad organized by Magtymguly Turkmen State University last year and were recognized as winners in various prize categories.