To the Anniversary of Elena Godina

Abstract

On August 11, 2026, the Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology celebrated the anniversary of Elena Zinovievna Godina, Chief Researcher, Professor, and Doctor of Biological Sciences.

Elena Zinovievna is known for her scientific achievements not only in our country but also abroad. E. Z. Godina’s main scientific interests are focused on the study of human growth processes. Thanks to her many years of effort, the Laboratory of Auxology was established at the Institute of Anthropology in 2009 – the only such laboratory in our country. Based on extensive materials obtained during anthropological surveys (over 20 expeditions), E.Z. Godina and her students, along with their colleagues, studied the characteristics of the somatic development of children and adolescents in various regions of Russia and identified the main trends in the variability of morphofunctional indicators and secular shifts. Over the past 10 years, under the leadership of E.Z. Godina, innovative research in sports anthropology and genetics has been successfully carried out. She has published over 380 scientific works in leading domestic and foreign publications. E.Z. Godina is the author and co‑author of a numerous textbooks for students. Under her supervision, 11 PhD dissertations were successfully defended.

E.Z. Godina has led and participated in many research projects, including international ones. She participated in the scientific program of the Institute of Humanity at Moscow State University, marking the 300th anniversary of M. V. Lomonosov; she organized and led an expedition to conduct a comprehensive anthropological study of the population of the Arkhangelsk Region; she is a participant in the “Depository” and “Leading Scientific Schools of Moscow State University” programs, and a co‑author of the project “Development of Methodology for Population‑Based Screening of Physical Development, Health Status, and Nutrition of the Russian Population Using Big Data Analytics.”

For nearly seven decades, Elena Zinovievna’s life has been closely tied to Moscow University. In 1963, she graduated from the Faculty of Biology and Soil Science at Moscow State University, majoring in anthropology. In 1980, she successfully defended her PhD dissertation entitled “Morphological Features and Some Patterns of Growth Processes in Children and Adolescents in the High‑Altitude Regions of Kyrgyzstan,” and later her doctoral dissertation on the topic “Dynamics of Human Growth and Development: Spatial and Temporal Aspects” (2001). In 2003, she received the title of senior researcher at the Moscow State University Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, and then the title of professor (2005). E.Z. Godina is an Honorary worker of higher professional education of the Russian Federation, Honorary Doctor of the Mongolian National Institute of Physical Culture, member of the Academic Council of the Moscow State University Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, member of the Dissertation Council of Moscow State University.031.1 in the specialty 3.3.1 "Anatomy and Anthropology (biological sciences)", Deputy editor-in-chief of the journal "Lomonosov Journal of Anthropology”, member of the editorial board of a number of domestic and foreign periodicals.

Since the early 1980s, E.Z. Godina has successfully taught specialized courses not only at the Department of Anthropology of the Faculty of Biology, but also in other departments of Moscow State University. She taught courses in anthropology at the Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, the Faculty of Psychology, and the Faculty of Regional Studies for students of the Russian‑American College “MSU – University of Denver” in English, including “Human Auxology” and “Age and Population Anthropology” (in English), as well as at the MSU‑PPI University in Shenzhen.

E.Z. Godina has awards and certificates from the Ministry of Education and Moscow University such as Distinguished Researcher at Moscow State University (2009), Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation. She awarded the Friendship Medal of the Republic of Mongolia and the Pyotr Lesgaft Medal by the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation as well. For her active scientific, pedagogical and public activities, and in connection with her anniversary, the rector of Moscow University expressed gratitude to Elena Zinovievna Godina, wishing her good health and new large‑scale projects.

Anthropologists at Moscow University congratulate Elena Zinovievna on her anniversary! Dear Elena Zinovievna! You are an example of how the wisdom of a scientist and the charm of a beautiful woman can be harmoniously combined. Your lectures and presentations are memorable for their depth and originality, and your demeanor is marked by grace and dignity. You know how to be demanding in your approach to science and gentle with people. We sincerely wish you that the sparkle in your eyes never fades, that spring reigns in your soul, and that your health remains strong.