For more than 110 years of history many scientists worked in "KPI" whose descendants continued the way of their parents, creating the dynasties of scientific and technical intelligentsia of Ukraine in whole and our university in particular.
One of such scientists, who is representing the fourth-generation the dynasty of polytechnic chemists, is Professor, Doctor of Chemistry Andrii Fokin – the Head of Organic Chemistry and Technology of Organic Substances Department of FCT.
His great-grandfather, Professor Serhii Fokin (1865-1917), was the Head of the Technology of Organic Substances Department of Chemical Department of KPI in 1913-1917. He graduated from Kharkiv Institute of Technology, continued his education in Germany. He worked on catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds. He supervised construction and commissioning of the first plant for hydrogenation of vegetable oils in Russian Empire.
Serhii Fokin’s son, Assistant Professor, Doctor of Chemistry. Artem Fokin (1907-1966), graduated from FCT of KPI, worked in the chemical institutes of the Academy of Sciences of USSR, and later was the Head of a department at Kyiv Institute of Light Industry. Artem Fokin’s wife N. Holub was a Senior Researcher, Doctor of Chemistry. She also graduated from FCT, worked at the Department of Paper Production Technology of FCT of KPI, and then was the Head of the research laboratory of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Paper.
Their daughter (mother of Andrii) – Doctor of Chemistry Zoia Fokina, the Head of the Department of academic institute, was the member of the Academic Council of FCT of NTUU “KPI” concerning awarding scientific degrees.
Being in such "chemical environment», A. Fokin even during school years was fond of chemistry. In his apartment, on the windowsill, he placed mixtures in glasses, used devices and conducted his first chemical researches. When a foul odor appeared, all this "chemistry" was immediately placed behind the window. He took part in school competitions in chemistry.
It is not surprisingly, that after graduation from school in 1977, he entered FCT of KPI. As a student, he engaged in scientific work, participated in local and national competitions in chemistry, where he took medal places. After graduation, he stayed in graduate school at the Department, where he successfully defended his Candidate Thesis, and in 1994 - his Doctor Thesis, gradually obtaining posts of assistant, assistant professor, and since February 2009 – the Head of Department. Areas of his scientific activity include organic synthesis, synthesis of pharmaceuticals, computer chemistry, and synthesis of materials for use in nanoelectronics. He worked in the United States, now he collaborates with research institutions in Germany.
The Professor A. Fokin is an avid traveler, during tourist expeditions he visited the Caucasus, Sayan Mountains, kayaked in Karelia, went by catamaran through Altai rivers etc.
In June A. Fokin turns 50 and in September his department turns 110 years. We wish success and inspiration both to the leader and the team.
