Degrees
- D.Sc. (Engineering), Melnikov Permafrost Institute, 2001. Dissertation: Temperature Regime and Stability of Low-Head Dams and Earthen Canals in Permafrost Regions
- Ph.D. (Engineering), Kostyakov Institute of Water Management and Engineering, Moscow, 1977. Dissertation: Thermal Regime of Small Embankment Dams for Basin Irrigation in Central Yakutia
- M.S. (Hydraulic Engineering), Moscow Institute of Water Management, 1964
Research Interests
- Permafrost engineering
- Embankment dams and hydraulic structures
- Refrigeration systems
Current Projects
SB RAS Basic Research Project, 2021-2025: Sustainability of Coupled Natural and Human Systems in Permafrost Regions and New Technologies for Using Cold Resources (Project Director)
Professional Association Memberships and Committee Activities
- Member, Dissertation Council D 003.025.01
- Full Member, Russian Engineering Academy
- Member, Republic of Sakha/Yakutia Head’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technological Policy
- Member, Technical Council, Republic of Sakha/Yakutia Ministry of Construction, Industry and Building Materials
- Member, Science and Technology Council, Land Reclamation and Agricultural Water Management Bureau, Republic of Sakha/Yakutia Ministry of Agriculture
- Member, Republic of Sakha/Yakutia Supreme Engineering Council
- Director, Yakutian Branch of the Russian Engineering Academy
- Corresponding Member, Russian Academy of Natural Sciences
Field Work
- Experimental studies, permafrost site investigations and performance observations of embankment dams and other hydraulic structures in Yakutia, including:
- embankment dams on the Chakiya River with siphon spillways applied for the first time in Yakutia
- Khorobut system for basin irrigation, Central Yakutia
- Tatta River hydro scheme for water supply to the Central Yakutia areas east of the Lena River
- Neryungri dam on the Olongoro River, southern Yakutia, for power generation
- dam on Malaya Cherepanikha River, Olekminsk Region, for basin irrigation
- Deputatsky Tin Mine tailings and water supply dams, Ust’-Yana Region
- Dadaar land reclamation canals, Tompo Region
- Sarylakh Gold Mine dam, Oymyakon Region
- embankment dam with a siphon spillway on Matta River, Gorny Region
- Maganka River dams
- Amga River diversion project, Central Yakutia
Honours and Awards
- Honorary Diploma, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Ministry of Education and Science, 2020
- SB RAS 60th Jubilee Medal, 2017
- Civic Virtue Distinction (Republic of Sakha/Yakutia), 2016
- SB RAS Presidium Honorary Diploma, 2016
- Sakha/Yakutia Academy of Sciences Honorary Diploma, 2016
- Moscow International Education Expo, 7-9 October 2014, Golden Medal and Diploma
- RANS Golden Lectern of Russia Diploma, 2015
- Primus Inter Pares Order (European Scientific and Industrial Consortium), 2015
- Sakha/Yakutia Ministry of Architecture and Construction Honorary Diploma, 2015
- Vernadsky Silver Medal (Russian Academy of Natural Sciences), 2015
Patents/Licences
- Russian Federation Invention Patent no. 2735495. Method for Preparation of Mined Rock for Mineral Separation. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: S.A. Velikin, Y.G. Ivanov, Y.L. Marchenko, R.V. Zhang, A.A. Yakimov. Filed 01.08.2019. Publ. 03.11.2020, Bull. 31
- Russian Federation Patent 2665097. Freezing System for an Embankment Dam on Permafrost and Embankment Design. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Authors: R.V. Zhang, D.M. Shesternev, S.A. Velikin, A.A. Zhang. Filed 14.03.2017. Published: 28.08.2018, Bull. 25.
- Russian Federation Invention Patent 2640832. Method for Constructing an Embankment Dam. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: R.V. Zhang, G.P. Kuzmin. Filed 27.12.2016. Published: 12.01.2018, Bull. 2
- Russian Federation Invention Patent 2634765. System for Ground Cooling and Freezing. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: R.V. Zhang, D.M. Shesternev, G.P. Kuzmin, S.A. Velikin, A.A. Zhang. Filed 16.09.2016. Published 03.11.2017, Bull. 31
- Russian Federation Invention Patent 2592113. Embankment Dam on Permafrost Foundation and Method for its Placement. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: O.I. Alekseeva, G.P. Kuzmin, V.I. Makarov, R.V. Zhang. Filed 27.11.2014. Published 20.07.2016, Bull. 20
- Russian Federation Invention Patent 2517844. Apparatus for Heat Exchange of Liquids and Gases. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: G.P. Kuzmin, R.V. Zhang, A.V. Yakovlev. Filed 11.07.2012. Published 10.06.2014, Bull. 16
- Russian Federation Invention Patent 2487336. Method for Determining Air Content in Thawed Soil. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: G.P. Kuzmin, R.V. Zhang, V.A. Remizov. Filed 08.07.2011. Published 10.07.2013, Bull. 19
- Russian Federation Invention Patent no. 2478196. Method for Determining Air Content in Frozen Soil. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: G.P. Kuzmin, R.V. Zhang, V.N. Panin. Filed 12.09.2011. Published 27.03.2013, Bull. 9
- Russian Federation Invention Patent no. 2498014. Method for Determining Frost Heave during Active Layer Freezeback. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: G.P. Kuzmin, R.V. Zhang, D.Y. Efremova. Filed 30.11.2010. Published 10.11.2013, Bull. 31
- Russian Federation Utility Model Patent no. 112219. A Device for Stabilization of Indoor Temperature. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: G.P. Kuzmin, R.V. Zhang, V.A. Remizov, V.N. Panin, I.S. Vakhrin. Filed 21.07.2011. 10.01.2012 Bull. 1.
- Russian Federation Utility Model Patent no. 118651. Pile for Permafrost. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: G.P. Kuzmin, R.V. Zhang, V.A. Remizov. Filed 20.01.2011. Published 27.07.2012, Bull. 21
- Russian Federation Utility Model Patent no. 120111. Device for Cooling Permafrost Soils. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: G.P. Kuzmin, R.V. Zhang, A.V. Yakovlev. Filed 18.11.2011. Published 10.09.2012, Bull. 25
- Russian Federation Invention Patent no. 2469150. Method to Manufacture Pile Foundation for Permafrost Soil. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: G.P. Kuzmin, R.V. Zhang, V.A. Remizov. Filed 02.05.2011. Published 10.12.2012, Bull. 34
- Russian Federation Invention Patent 2386490. Method of Solid Waste Disposal in Permafrost. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: R.V. Zhang, G.P. Kuzmin, S.Y. Rymar, S.Y. Pokryshka. Filed 28.03.2008. Published 20.04.2010, Bull. 11
- Russian Federation Invention Patent no. 2397474. Method and Apparatus for Determining Volume and Density of Soil Particles. Applicant and Proprietor: Melnikov Permafrost Institute. Inventors: G.P. Kuzmin, R.V. Zhang, V.N. Panin. Filed 22.06.2009. Published 20.08.2010, Bull. 23