On 18 October, the Department of Microbiology and Virology organised a field trip to Lake Podgornoye. The expedition was led by the department head, E.P. Kolevatykh, together with senior lecturer E.V. Chetverikova, laboratory assistant O.S. Bulycheva, and with the assistance of I.A. Sabantsev.

A unique international team of Russian and Indian students showed great teamwork and a readiness to face challenges. Despite the cold weather, they successfully set up camp, even managing to build a campfire from wet wood using traditional taiga methods.

Under the guidance of scientific supervisor A.A. Yurlov, the group conducted a comprehensive study of the lake. Using a boat and maps, they collected water and soil samples for microbiological analysis, measured depths, and studied the springs that feed the reservoir.

But the trip wasn't all work! It was also an adventure where students learned practical skills like knot-tying, cooked fish on hot stones, and formed new friendships. Importantly, they also contributed to an environmental project by cleaning the lakeshore of plastic bottles and other trash.

Despite the challenges, the participants demonstrated strong spirit and determination, and everyone expressed a desire to do it again.