• 
• 
• 

Executive Committee 2009-2010

President

Name: Alexey Bannykh

Subject: Materials Science (2^nd year PhD student)

College: Darwin

I was born at a border between Europe and Asia in the Ural region but later moved to Moscow and entered Kolmogorov School which is also called Advanced Education Science Centre, as a higher education institution I chose Lomonosov Moscow State University, Physics faculty.

Once I got here to Cambridge I was pleased to get to know that there was such a well developed association of Russian speaking students and members of the University which supports the spread of Russian culture. I was inspired by the way the people worked and soon got involved into this process.

Currently, I am also a member of the Cambridge Union association which gives me a right to take advantage of such a powerful source of information and facilities for the benefit of the Russian Society.

I do believe that my desire to reinforce the power of CURS will be highly assessed by all the members and I will try my best to go on the job done and contribute to the CURS prosperity to a great extent!

Contact: president (at) russiancambridge.org

Vice-President (Internal Affairs)

Name: Ruslan Kudubayev

Subject: Computer Science (3^rd year, BA student)

College: Churchill

I’m originally from Kazakhstan (no jokes), but I’ve been exposed to the Russian culture since my childhood. I’ve been with the society for two years already and this is my third year and I’m still loving it here. My responsibilities are to be useful on many layers of internal organisational routine – something not many people would like to do, but I seem to be getting on okay. I’m also doing society’s IT issues, so you will likely be interfacing me whenever you contact our society.

Contact: vice-president-internal (at) russiancambridge.org

Vice-President (External Affairs)

Name: Natalia Lapotko

Subject: Political Thought and Intellectual History (MPhil student)

College: Darwin

I am an MPhil student in Political Thought and Intellectual History. It is my fourth year in Cambridge and my third year in the committee. I used to be an educational and cultural officer and enjoyed these positions.

This year I would like to stand for the post of the Vice President, because I enjoy participating in the society and want to do more! For instance, I would like to continue our collaborative project with the Student Union and bring Gergiev as well as other prominent Russians to Cambridge next year. In addition, I am organizing a seminar with Russian actors dedicated to the anniversary of Chekov. For this project I would like to develop our cooperation with the Slavonic Studies faculty. These are examples of the projects that I hope to carry out into practice. There are more of them and I am open to new suggestions from our members.

I will be a successful Vice President, because I am organized and responsible, and know Cambridge quite well. Despite the fact that I am particularly interested in cultural events, I enjoy supporting all projects that we do as a society. I am happy to find venues, book rooms, sell tickets and coordinate our activities. With my help the society will continue developing and expanding!

Contact: vice-president-external (at) russiancambridge.org

Junior Treasurer

Name: Vassili Vorontsov

Subject: Materials Science and Metallurgy (3^rd year PhD student)

College: Clare

I have been with CURS for over two years now, and it is very important to me. Starting out as the President in 2008, and continuing as General Secretary in 2009, I would like to try a new position this year – Treasurer. In this new role, I hope to ensure that CURS accounts are kept tight and that the overall pot of money increases rather than decreases. This can be achieved with more thorough planning of expenses and income opportunities. In addition to the obvious duties, I will, as usual, act outside my formal role to help CURS in every way possible to me.

Contact: treasurer (at) russiancambridge.org

Secretary, Public Relation Officer

Name: Ekaterina Parashina

Subject: MPhil in English and Applied Linguistics

College: Lucy Cavendish

My name is Katya and I am 22 years old. I was born in one of the most beautiful world cities as Moscow where I was brought up and got to know to what life means. This year I successfully graduated from the linguistic university, the faculty of foreign languages where I studied English, German, Russian and a bit of Chinese from all possible and impossible points of view. I also studied the process of Language Acquisition that I go on investigating on the MPhil course in the University of Cambridge.

I was very glad to see Russian people here and I trust that my communication skills, experience to work with people, creativity, positive thinking and the ability to work in team will help the CURS reach new targets and present the country I was born in with all respect. I am an extremely patriotic person and will go to any possible lengths to show to people that Russia is much more than the country when the winter is supposed to be all the time.

I will try to help the CURS break stereotyped inferences that some people who have never been there might elicit. I trust I will be able to contribute to the work of the CURS and try to make it even better as it can be!

Contact: secretary (at) russiancambridge.org

Events and Entertainment Officer

Name: Konstantin Andrejev

Subject: Real Estate Finance (MPhil student)

College: St Edmund’s

I was born and spent the most of my life’s first eighteen years in Lithuania. After graduating from a high school the spirit of a discoverer finally woke up in me and I decided to pursue a higher education in the UK. Up to now I have lived in five different countries, what helped me to become a truly international person, and I am looking forward to updating this list in the near future.

After qualifying as an economist at the bachelor level, a decision was taken to continue with a postgraduate degree at Cambridge, where I was glad to find CU Russian Society. I have previously been involved in similar organisation and knowing how much fun it can be, was very happy to join the executive committee that allowed me not only to benefit from the events, but actually make them happen by taking part in planning and organisation.

Contact: ents (at) russiancambridge.org

What-When-Where (WWW) Officer

Name: Nikolay Murashkin

Subject: East Asian Studies, Japanese Studies (1^st year PhD student)

College: St. Catharine’s

Originally coming from Saint-Petersburg, I have had a diversified international experience of social involvement in Russian cultural societies outside Russia, in particular during my Master studies in Paris and Tokyo, as well as during 2 years of my work in London. I am very enthusiastic about spreading Russian culture abroad. In particular, having being an active player at the London club of What? When? Where? (aka Chto? Gde? Kogda? – erudition and quiz team sport extremely popular in Russian-speaking world), I would be happy to introduce this great and fun game (as well as its sputniks such as “Jeopardy/Svoya Igra” and “Brain Ring”) in Cambridge.

Contact: www (at) russiancambridge.org

Ambassador

Name: Dmitry Dubovitskiy 

Subject: Computer Science consultancy, CEng

Dmitry originates from a part of Russia called Saratov – within the Volga Region, known for its generous warmth and hospitality. He graduated with MSc from Bauman Moscow State Technical University and defended his PhD degree with a Russian – UK exchange program.

During the years 2008 and 2009 he organised events which supported the life of Cambridge University Russian Society and brought together cultural groups, bringing with him his characteristic southern Russian hospitality to provide quality and joyful times for all teams.

As Ambassador of CURS, Dmitry is committed to further co-ordinating a future wide range of exciting outdoor and indoor activities and also representing the CURS to outside circles.

Dmitry currently combines his Directorship of an R&D Company – ‘Oxford Recognition Ltd’ in Digital Image Processing, with his Ambassadorial position within the Intercultural educational program of CURS.

Contact: ambassador (at) russiancambridge.org

Project Coordination Officer

Name: Anastasia Kisil

Subject: Mathematics (IIIB part student)

College: Trinity

I have been with the Russian society for two year now as Vice-President and Educational Officer. During those year we organised a lot of exiting events and continue the good traditions. I believe that the experience of those year could be valuable to the next years committee. Hence I am applying for Project Coordination Officer so I can pass on our traditions, experience and knowledge.

Contact: coordination (at) russiancambridge.org

Head of External Relations

Name: Paulina Kimbel

Subject: Linguistics (4^th year BA student)

College: Queens’

Having been away in Paris last year, I am aware that quite a few amongst you will not know me (I am an oldie at Cambridge). However, the only thing I did miss in Paris was the Russian Society and those of you who know me well and/or who have worked with me on previous committees will know and value my commitment. I would like to address an issue that is vital to the realization of the society’s full potential: lack or insufficient sponsorship.  This is why I wish to propose myself for the position of the Head of External Relations. To those of you who do not know me well I can only give my word that I will do my outmost to secure funding, negotiating room rates/ food prices for the Vodka party etc. Those who do know me well will confirm that I am outspoken, committed and, above all, highly results-driven. Once I am enthusiastic about something I will go the extra mile and assure that the goals that were are achieved. At times this will mean I will be rather stubborn and pushy; however I also know when to be diplomatic and subtle. This combination, surely, will make me a good sponsorship officer. My past extra-curricular activities and positions (active CU Model United Nations member, co-founder of the MML Journal Polyglossia and the position of CURS Vice-President in 2008) prove my interpersonal skills and equip me well for a new challenge.

Contact: relations (at) russiancambridge.org

Strategic Development Officer

Name: Pavel Potekhin

Subject: Planning, Growth and Regeneration (MPhil student)

College: Queens’ College

Pav is a postgraduate Land Economist at Queens’ College. He was born in Siberia and spent 2 years at the best boarding school in Russia, where he studied science. Graduated with an undergrad degree in Economics from NSU and published various academic and business papers, Pav transferred to Strategic Management at Cass. Outstanding track of records in Sport (third place in Russian Junior Football competition), Public Sector (Assistant to the Senator) and Political Intrigues (Member of the Electoral Campaign Committee) makes him an extremely valuable asset for both private and public sector.

Contact: strategy (at) russiancambridge.org

Sustainability Officer

Name: Tatiana Vakhitova

Subject: Sustainable Development (1^st year PhD student)

College: Darwin

I am looking forward to contribute as an officer for Sustainability related issues in the CURS. Please, do consider my candidature.  I think this could be a good new area, currently uncovered by the Society, although with a huge potential.  I have extensive experience/knowledge/network in this area, for instance through my Research Centre, Graduate Student’s Research Discussion Group, which I am involved in.  I have got experience in organising events, for instance, BOP at Darwin College this April, with the support of CURS, series of the research seminars this year (about 10 in total). With the support of CURS I would like to organise events related to awareness rising on the issues of Sustainable Built Environment in Cambridge, resonating to Russia.  I already organised a seminar for Russian Policy – makers on energy – efficiency this March and found it very interesting and useful.

Contact: sustainability (at) russiancambridge.org

Trustees and Advisory Board (Contact: advisory (at) russiancambridge.org)

General Treasurer and CURS Trustee: Vassili Vorontsov (Clare College)

Degree: Materials Science and Metallurgy PhD

Vassili believes that his allegiance to CURS is to be long-lived. Thus he is making a gradual transition to the honourable duty of CURS Trustee. During his Presidential term, Vassili did not experiment too much and tried to stick to the well polished formula of his predecessors. Where needed he added his own touch and spin to things to make them work. After completing his PhD, Vassili hopes to build an academic career. At the same time, his alter ego will always be the silent watchman of CURS.

Vladimir Orlov (Clare College, PhD candidate in Musicology)

Vladimir is a Gates Scholar, and the only Russian research student in Musicology ever accepted to Cambridge; therefore his role is quite exceptional, but demanding. Being occupied with multifarious work during his CURS presidentship at 2006-2007, personally he has mostly been interested in promoting musical and classical activities; therefore all of these such as music recitals or literary competition are basically organised by him. After Vladimir devoted 99% of his time and energy to our favourite child (CURS that is) as a President, he barely forced himself to leave this job year after. Thus, his heart is always trembling about the CURS destiny. Currently he is still developing the cultural life of CURS (see his article on ‘Russian Cambridge’ published on-line); and his eye would always be kept on the Russian Society up to the end of his life.

Yulia Yamineva (Newnham College)

In the good old days, Yulia served on the Committee as a Membership Officer and later as a Vice-President. She is proud of discovering “the Vova Orlov” who was lost in the outskirts of Newnham College and pointing him in the direction of the Presidency of the Russian Society. Together with bringing three sarafan dresses from her hometown of Chelyabinsk, Yulia considers this as her most long-lasting contribution to the Society. After that event Yulia felt her mission was accomplished and is now devoting herself fully to a PhD dissertation, to the great satisfaction of her supervisor.

Dr. Anton Lokhmotov (Robinson College alumnus)

Anton has been involved in running the Russian Society since 2004, when he started his PhD in Computer Science at Robinson College, sponsored by a TNK-BP Kapitza Scholarship. Anton became the Russian Society’s Trustee in Science Technology in 2007, after being its Entertainment Officer (proudly dubbed as “Vodka Officer”), President and Consultant.

Anton is currently a post-doctoral Research Associate at Imperial College London, where he is investigating programming languages and tools for parallel computing architectures. However, he still looks back fondly to his years in Cambridge and looks around for ways to contribute to the Russian Society. In particular, Anton is bringing up a next generation of its leaders, hopefully represented by his son Yvan (joint work with his lovely wife Nadya).

Evgeniya Galinskaya (Gonville & Caius College alumnus)

Degree: MB BChir (Hons) MA

Having come from well beyond the Northern Polar Circle, the town of Murmansk, Zhenya had much warmth and devotion to give to CURS when it was still very much a baby. She is proud to be one of the first few enthusiasts who nurtured CURS when it was growing up and going through the difficult teenage years. This required a lot of parental commitment, creativity, organisational and people’s skills (and often took priority over her studies to be a doctor). Her main achievements were setting up Russian Conversational Evenings for those wishing to learn or improve Russian Language, as well as increasing the Society’s membership recruitment from 7 in 2002/03 to 40 in 2003/04 and boosting the society’s budget from £50 to £700 in 2003/04. Zhenya is particularly proud of her contribution to raising the Society’s profile well above the good old stereotype of Ruski’s swimming in vodka and bears walking around the streets of Moscow. Having taken up the roles of the Society’s secretary, Vice President, and President over several years since 2003, Zhenya is now diligently carrying out the duties of the CURS Trustee in Health and Safety. She skillfully combines advising the members of CURS on the health, safety and well-being matters with her full-time duties as a doctor at East and North Herts NHS Trust.

Denis Zuev (St Johns College alumnus)

Denis is the co-founder of Cambridge University Russian Society in 2001. Then, Denis started as the IT-officer by developing the most advanced website within the Russian student community in UK and during 2002-2004, Denis was the president of CURS. During that time, the CURS has partnered with Russian-speaking and ex-USSR societies in Cambridge, thus improving the quality and popularity of joint events, as well as establishing friendship among the societies. For the first time in 2004, CURS started to give advice to Cambridge University applicants from Russia via its forum.

During his PhD in Oxford, Denis was involved in The Association of Students from the CIS which assisted him in organising recruiting events for Russian-speaking students by Deloitte CIS and KPMG CIS. In 2007, Denis has started a company called AtoZstudents limited, which was designed to support activities of Russian-speaking societies and help Russian-speaking students in the UK in their job search by providing them with Russia-related career opportunities. Through AtoZstudents, Denis is supporting student societies by sponsoring them and by integrating them into a national network, RussianStudents.net, which united 10 Russian-societies around the UK in 2009. During 2004-2009, Denis has organised 7 career events targeted at the Russian-speaking community and helped dozens of young people find a rewarding job in Russia and in the UK.

Executive Committee 2008-2009