The ranking includes scientists from the second percentile ("2% of the most cited scientists in the world") according to the Scopus/Elsevier core. The c-score summary indicator takes into account the total number of citations, the h-index, the hm-index adjusted for co-authorship, as well as the order in the list of co-authors.

The special feature of the rating lies in its double structure, which makes it possible to evaluate the contribution of scientists from different angles. The career rating reflects the cumulative achievements of a researcher over the entire period of his scientific activity, demonstrating a lasting impact and fundamental contribution to his field. At the same time, the Annual Rating shows the relevance and relevance of the scientist's work based on the results of last year, 2024, noting those who are at the forefront of science today.

So, in 2022, seven researchers from SFedU were included in the rating, ten by the end of last year in 2023, 14 representatives of our university were included in the list in 2024, this year the updated list shows impressive results of SFedU representatives in both categories and includes 14 university scientists.

Scientists whose long-term work is recognized by the international community have distinguished themselves in the career ranking. Among them:

1. Vladimir Minkin, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Scientific director of the SFedU, who ranks 611th in the category "Organic Chemistry" (top 1000 in the world).

Vladimir Isaakovich's work in the field of physical organic and quantum chemistry, studying the structure and molecular dynamics of organic and organometallic compounds has been widely recognized both in our country and abroad. In 1974, the scientist discovered the phenomenon of acylotropy, the rapid reversible migration of acyl groups between nucleophilic centers in organic molecules. He developed a new scientific field, the chemistry of structurally non—rigid molecules in ground and excited states, and developed the theory of orbital stabilization of "nonclassical" structures of organic compounds. Today, he is the leader of theoretical organic chemistry in Russia, the author of monographs and more than 900 articles in the domestic and foreign press, 60 Russian and international patents. One of the most cited Russian scientists.

2. Eduard Vorobyov, Doctor of Physico-Mathematical Sciences, leading researcher at the SFedU Research Institute of Physics, Head of the Laboratory of Astrophysics and Computer Modeling, which ranks 1291 in the category "Astronomy and Astrophysics".

His research interests include Astronomy and Astrophysics, including the formation of stars, planets, and the evolution of the protosolar system in general.

3. Dmitry Ruban, Associate Professor at the SFedU Institute of Tourism, Service and Creative Industries, which ranks 437th in the Paleontology category (top 500 in the world).

Dmitry's research interests include Stratigraphy, Paleontology, Paleobiology, Lithology, Historical Geology, Geotectonics, and Geoconservation. In addition to Geology, his research interests also lie in the fields of Geography, Nature Conservation, Tourism, Management, Economics, Law, Philosophy of Science, etc.

"Getting into this ranking of scientists at Southern Federal University is a guarantee of the highest quality of education, as it means the concentration of the most advanced knowledge at the university, which makes it accessible to students. In addition, in my opinion, this is evidence of the sustainable development of science in Russia and specifically at our university," Dmitry Ruban shared.

4. Sergey Prosandeev, a leading researcher at the SFedU Laboratory of Pyroelectric and Thermophysical Research, was included in the list of the most cited in the field of Applied Physics. The main area of scientific work is the quantum theory of phase transitions in ferroelectrics and their solid solutions. Author of more than 150 scientific papers.  

5. Vishnu D. Rajput, Candidate of Biological Sciences, leading researcher at the Academy of Biology and Medicine of the Southern Federal University, head of the International Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, was included in the list of the most cited in the field of Environmental Sciences.

Vishnu is a scientist from India who has been working at the Southern Federal University for more than 9 years. He is a participant in about ten projects supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation, a project manager under a Mega-grant and an international grant with organizations from the BRICS countries. The scientist is actively involved in the implementation of the strategic project of the SFedU "Technologies of Soil Bioengineering" within the framework of the program "Priority 2030" (national project "Youth and Children").

"It is a great honor for me to be included in the list of the 2% most cited scientists in the world. I am especially pleased that this year there are more of my colleagues from the academy. This is a clear evidence of the global importance of our work and its relevance to the international scientific community. We are proud of the opportunity to conduct innovative research. This success would not have been possible without the guidance of Professor Tatiana Minkina, the dedicated work of my team, and the full support of the university. It was thanks to this that we were able to increase our citation count, which increased by almost 14,000.

I am also grateful to the Ministry of Higher Education and Science of the Russian Federation for the support and funding that allow the university and us to constantly develop. Special thanks to the university management — the rector, vice-rectors and the entire staff. A special role was played by the Priority 2030 program, which supports our key projects. This support allows us to create a world–class scientific infrastructure, open new laboratories and attract both recognized experts and young researchers," Vishnu Rajput commented.

6. Ruslan Minyaev, Professor, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Chief Researcher at the Laboratory of Quantum Chemistry at the SFedU Research Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry, was included in the list of the most cited in the field of Organic Chemistry.

The scientist's areas of work include the study of nonclassical structures of organic and organoelement compounds, reaction pathways on potential energy surfaces of various topologies, supermolecular models of crystalline bodies, the study of the chemistry of organosporic polymers with nonclassical coordination of bonds on carbon atoms and the molecular design of materials based on them, and much more.

7. Alexander Fedorovich Pozharsky, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Organic Chemistry at the SFedU Faculty of Chemistry, was included in the list of the most cited in the field of Organic Chemistry.

Under his leadership, 36 candidate's and 4 doctoral theses were defended. Today, Pozharsky is known as one of the outstanding Russian organic chemists, whose work in the field of organic and heterocyclic chemistry has received wide international recognition. He is included in the list of the most cited Russian chemists in the world and among the most cited scientists of SFedU.

8. Alexander Dmitrievich Garnovsky, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, took the 1471st place in the category "Inorganic Chemistry".

Alexander Dmitrievich is a professor, full member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (1992), since 1983 – Head of the Department of Chemistry of Coordination Compounds at the Research Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry of the Rostov State University (now SFedU), whose works continue to live and remain in demand in the scientific community even after his death. He is the author of more than 800 scientific papers, 11 monographs, 30 copyright certificates of the USSR and 3 patents of the Russian Federation. One of the most cited chemists in Russia (according to scientific.ru ). He has trained 1 doctor and 30 candidates of sciences. Laureate of the USSR State Prize (1989) and the L. A. Chugaeva RAS Prize (2003), Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation (1997), Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation (2002).

Over the years of his life, he developed original methods for obtaining a number of azomethine and azole compounds, as well as for the stereo- and regioselective synthesis of their complexes with various metals. He established the rules of nucleophilic and electrophilic substitution in a number of imidazole derivatives, formulated and substantiated the patterns of competitive coordination of ambident chelating ligands. He developed ideas about standard and non-standard types of coordination of chelating ligands and about stabilization during complexation of unstable tautomeric forms. He completed a series of studies on tribochemical synthesis of coordination compounds.

9. Alexander Soldatov, Doctor of Physico-Mathematical Sciences, Scientific director of the SFedU department of Materials Sciences and Synchrotron-Neutron Research, was included in the list of the most cited in the field of Applied Physics.

The professor is a recognized expert in the field of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and his scientific group holds world-leading positions in this field. A.V. Soldatov is one of the pioneers in the development and application of methods for studying the local atomic and electronic structure of matter through the theoretical analysis of X-ray absorption spectra in the near-threshold region of XANES. His work in the field of theoretical interpretation of X-ray absorption spectra laid the foundations for the application of XANES spectroscopy to study the atomic structure of materials without long-range order, which was awarded the prize of the IXAS International Society.

"For me, getting into this rating is an important marker that our research remains relevant and in demand by the scientific community from year to year. After all, as they say, non progredi est regredi — "not going forward means going backwards." A scientist cannot rest on his laurels, and Blok's lines "and eternal battle, we only dream of peace" are not just poetry, but our everyday reality. This rating motivates us to continue this "eternal battle" for new knowledge," said Alexander Soldatov.

10. Professor Tatiana Minkina was included in the list of the most cited in the field of Environmental Sciences. Tatiana Mikhailovna – Professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Deputy Chairman of the Dissertation Council, Head of the Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Assessment, Chief Researcher at the Soil Health Laboratory of the SFedU D.I. Ivanovsky Academy of Biology and Medicine, Head of the strategic project of the SFedU "Soil Resource Management Systems" of the Priority 2030 program (national project "Youth and Children"), head of more than 50 research projects supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. The scientist is the author of 700 publications published in WoS and Scopus.

The result in the Annual Ranking, reflecting current scientific activity, looks no less convincing. Here, Vishnu D. Rajput demonstrated an outstanding result by entering the top 250 researchers in the Environmental Sciences category. And Dmitry Ruban not only confirmed, but also strengthened his position, rising to the top 150 paleontologists in the world. Along with them, the list of the most cited scientists of 2024 includes Tatiana Minkina, Chetan Keswani, Vladimir Minkin, Svetlana Sushkova, Eduard Vorobyov, Alexander Soldatov, Aslam Hossein and Igor Uflyand.

The stable presence of SFedU scientists in the ranking of the most cited researchers in the world confirms the high level and relevance of their work. Citation is an objective indicator of scientific influence, reflecting the integration of scientists into the global research agenda.

The university's specialists determine the prospects for the development of strategically important areas for Russia. Together with industrial partners, the university creates modern full-cycle laboratories, develops breakthrough projects, and strengthens the country's technological sovereignty through participation in federal programs, including Priority 2030 (the Youth and Children National Project).