Future doctors often choose their professional field or scientific direction in medicine while sitting at the student’s desk, following the example of their senior colleagues and professors.
This is precisely what happened in the life of Ashot Avagimyan, a graduate of YSMU, MD, PhD, lecturer at the Department of Anatomical Pathology and Clinical Morphology. In his professional development, the founder of the Yerevan Morphological School, Academician Aznauryan, played a significant role.
“Professor Aznauryan was a person of great significance, an excellent specialist, and someone who made a tremendous contribution to our university. Indeed, creating such a powerful Department out of nothing is nothing less than a display of selfless dedication and love for the University, as well as a demonstration of courage and highly professional thinking. Essentially, with nothing to start with, under the guidance of Aznauryan A.V., the Histology Department transformed from being unknown to becoming one of the leading conglomerates throughout the Soviet Union. While I mourn his loss with great sadness, I am proud to have been entrusted with the significant responsibility of being his last disciple. For me, this is an enormous responsibility. I make every effort to adhere to the principles of honesty, selfless compassion, high professionalism, and moral-ethical principles on my life’s journey!”, Ashot Avagimyan recalls, adding that Aznauryan was not only a lecturer and senior colleague, but also a friend whom he visited during breaks and could discuss anything, from scientific news to personal life events.
At 24 years old, Ashot Avagimyan has already significantly impacted the scientific world. He has successfully defended his PhD dissertation and obtained a scientific degree at the A.P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology in Moscow, which is one of the leading human pathology-based institutions worldwide. The distinguished scientist, Academician Lev Katsurkiy, who is the Chief Pathological Anatomist of the Russian Federation and the President of the Russian Society of Pathologists, supervised his doctoral dissertation. The opponents for his defense were Academician Evgeniya Kogan, Head of the Department of Pathological Anatomy at the First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, and Roman Serov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Head of the Department of Pathological Anatomy at the A.N. Bakulev National Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Surgery.
YSMU lecturer also highlighted in his scientific development the role of the esteemed professor Olga Urazova, who heads the Department of Pathophysiology at the Siberian State Medical University. “I can proudly say that despite all the difficulties, I have become the youngest PhD holder in the entire Russian Federation,” he emphasizes.
Since 2021, Ashot Avagimyan has been working at YSMU, as a lecturer, providing lectures simultaneously in three languages: Armenian, Russian, and English. Furthermore, he coordinates the international working group on cardiovascular pathology, closely collaborating with professors from Russia, Iran, Georgia, and Italy, led by Nizal Sarravezadegan, the Director of the Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute. The main scientific topics of their working group include cardio-oncology, cardiovascular diabetology, and heart failure in autoimmune diseases. A significant part of their work is a large-scale project of regional importance – the general Iranian cohort study CIBC, which includes 150,000 patients.
“I continue to develop my research abilities under the guidance of recognized specialists in the field of medicine, passing on the acquired knowledge to my students, following centuries-old traditions established within the walls of our country’s main Medical University,” the lecturer emphasizes.
Ashot Avagimyan is currently a clinical resident of the Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases, which he will complete in this academic year. Thus, he continues to improve himself under the guidance of prominent University specialists, namely Zinaida T. Jndoyan, Tamara L. Bayramyan, and Lusine G. Mkrtchyan. He also emphasizes the important role of outstanding Professor Grizelda Navasardyan, the leader of the Department of Pathophysiology. He expresses gratitude to her for the knowledge and guidance he received in his professional life!
As a young but already pretty experienced specialist, he advises future doctors to set ambitious goals and move forward in such a way that the previous maximum program becomes the minimum program during the implementation of the set goal.
“Never settle for the achieved level, regardless of the difficulties and obstacles, because there are no insurmountable problems, and every challenge strengthens any person, making them stronger. I always tell my students that they should sincerely rejoice in each other’s achievements. They should always draw inspiration and genuinely rejoice in the successes of others, for example, the highly respected Professor Nana Pogosova. She is a graduate of our University, a person who truly serves as an ambassador of our University in global science. A scientist who has reached great heights in science. Nana Vachikovna is a Doctor of Medical Sciences, a Respected Professor, the Head of the Preventive Cardiology Department, and the deputy director for science and preventive cardiology at the National Medical Research Center of Cardiology named after academician E. I. Chazov – one of the largest cardiovascular centers in the world. Such individuals as Professor Pogosova are an example and a stimulus for me to move forward and develop. Today, Nana Pogosova sets the standards of preventive cardiology for cardiologists and therapists worldwide, and this should be a matter of pride for every member of the large and friendly family of YSMU. That is the life philosophy passed on to me by the Academician Aznauryan. Although, unfortunately, Artashes Vardanovich is no longer with us, he will forever remain not only in the history and memory of YSMU, but also in the memory of the entire Armenian people as a true patriot and a great person,” Ashot Avagimyan adds.
He has completed numerous Post-Diploma refresher courses at leading universities and clinics in Russia, Iran, Ukraine, and Austria. He is the author of a textbook on sarcoidosis published under the guidance of Alexander Mrochek, a renowned academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. He has authored 45 articles published in well-known Scopus Q1 journals such as the European Heart Journal, Current Problem in Cardiology, International Journal of Cardiology, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Frontiers in Cardiology, and others.
Ashot Avagimyan’s scientific achievements have also been recognized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, for which he received an award for high publication activity.
