Putin's daughter lands lucrative grant amid academic debate
Russian media reports that Maria Vorontsova, daughter of Vladimir Putin, received 30 million rubles for research on longevity. Vorontsova received 5 points, while the threshold for other laureates started at 30.
Maria Vorontsova, the eldest daughter of the Russian president, received a grant from the Russian Science Foundation worth 30 million rubles (approximately £262,000). The funds will support research on cell regeneration processes, which are crucial for human longevity and health, reports the Moscow Times. Despite a low Hirsch index of only 5 points, Vorontsova was among the 26 laureates of the competition.
According to journalists from the T-Invariant newspaper, the index ranged from 30 to 60 points for most contestants. One of the Russian Science Foundation's regular grantees claims that 39-year-old Vorontsova aims to increase her significance in the country's scientific hierarchy this way.
It remains unclear why Vorontsova requires such a small amount. However, it is evident that all necessary financial resources will be available for her research on aging, according to The Moscow Times, citing the grantee. The application was prepared by her colleagues from the department, while for her, the primary concern is its significance for her scientific status.
According to the Moscow Times, Vorontsova oversees Kremlin-funded programmes to develop genetic research in Russia. She will lead a Russian genetics development programme valued at 127 billion rubles, which Putin will oversee.
Vorontsova is an endocrinologist with a doctorate in medical sciences. She works at the Department of Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Basic Medicine at Moscow State University, is the deputy dean for research work, and is a member of the University’s Academic Council and Scientific Council. State programmes support her involvement in genetic research, for which billions of rubles have been allocated.
In 2022, Maria Vorontsova was sanctioned by the European Union, USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
