Evgenia Lushikhina, being the first woman in her field, demonstrated that in breeding, not only knowledge is important, but also dedication, patience, and consistency. She continued the scientific legacy of her father, Academician Mikhail Nikolaevich Lushikhin, dedicating her life to improving the breed of the Kyrgyz mountain merino.
After completing her postgraduate studies in 1969 at the Institute of Experimental Biology of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR, Lushikhina progressed from a laboratory assistant to a leading researcher and head of the laboratory. She headed the laboratory at the Institute of Biology and Soil Science of the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz SSR, and later led the laboratory of genetics and biotechnology at the Institute of Biotechnology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, where she worked until 2020.
Photo from the National Academy of Sciences
Her scientific achievements hold strategic significance for the country. In 2005, she confirmed that the quality of the wool of the Kyrgyz mountain merino is comparable to its Australian counterpart, with the 18-micron indicator becoming a true "gold reserve" for the republic. She was also one of the first to raise concerns about pasture degradation and soil erosion, emphasizing the need for a scientific approach to animal husbandry and warning of the risk of desertification in mountainous areas.
Until her last days, Evgenia Mikhailovna remained a moral authority in her field, deeply concerned about the loss of production capacities, yet continuing to hope for the revival of Kyrgyz agriculture and the return of local products to the international market. As an educator, she knew how to make science engaging, showing that breeding is the labor of many generations.
The name of Evgenia Lushikhina will forever remain in the history of Kyrgyz science and agriculture. Her memory will be bright, as that of a scientist who dedicated her life to serving her country and its future.
