Summary

Last CV update:

I am a highly motivated PhD researcher at the University of Turku with five first-author publications in MNRAS and A&A. My research focuses on X-ray Astrophysics, particularly on X-ray pulsars. I have extensive experience in spectral and timing analyses using data from leading space missions and observatories. My primary goal is to expand my research to include X-ray polarimetric observations of pulsars, aspiring to become a world-leading researcher or professor in the field of high-energy astrophysics.

X-ray pulsars Timing Spectroscopy X-ray Polarimetry High-energy astrophysics

Education

St. Petersburg State University–
Integrated Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Astrophysics (with Distinction)
University of Turku–present
PhD in Astrophysics (Self-funded research supported by EDUFI and Wihuri grants)

Work Experience

Space Research Institute (IKI RAS)–
Senior Laboratory Assistant (part-time)
University of Turku
Teaching Assistant/Demonstrator — Observational X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics Course

Professional Service

  • Peer-review for The Astrophysical Journal –present
  • Peer-review for Advances in Space Research –present
  • Member of the Finnish Astronomical Society (FAS) –present
  • NewAthena Science Community Member –present

Grants

  • EDUFI Fellowship: Highly competitive fellowship supporting doctoral research (€17,100)
  • Wihuri Foundation Grant: Highly competitive grant supporting doctoral research (€30,000). Awarded to only ~7% of applicants.
  • Wihuri Foundation Grant: Highly competitive grant supporting doctoral research (€32,000)
  • Travel Grants
  • Frontiers in X-ray Polarimetry (FiXP) Academy travel grant (€1200)
  • University of Turku EXACTUS travel grant (€1000)
  • AAS High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD) travel grant ($500)

Publications — First Author

  1. On the nature of the X-ray pulsar XTE J1859+083 and its broadband properties
    Salganik A., Tsygankov S. S., Djupvik A. A., Karasev D. I., Lutovinov A. A., Buckley D. A. H., Gromadzki M., Poutanen J.
    MNRAS 509, 5955. DOI 2022
  2. Discovery of a pulse-phase-transient cyclotron line in the X-ray pulsar Swift J1808.4−1754 and identification of an optical companion
    Salganik A., Tsygankov S. S., Lutovinov A. A., Djupvik A. A., Karasev D. I., Molkov S. V.
    MNRAS 514, 2707. DOI 2022
  3. First characterization of a new high-mass X-ray binary in LMC eRASSU J050810.4−660653 with SRG/ART-XC, NuSTAR, and Swift
    Salganik A., Tsygankov S. S., Lutovinov A. A., Mushtukov A. A., Mereminskiy I. A., Molkov S. V., Semena A. N.
    MNRAS 514, 4018. DOI 2022
  4. RX J0440.9+4431: another supercritical X-ray pulsar
    Salganik A., Tsygankov S. S., Doroshenko V., Molkov S. V., Lutovinov A. A., Mushtukov A. A., Poutanen J.
    MNRAS 524, 5213. DOI 2023
  5. Discovery of a bimodal luminosity distribution in persistent Be/X-ray pulsar 2RXP J130159.6-635806
    Salganik A., Tsygankov S. S., Chernyakova M., Malyshev D., Poutanen J.
    A&A 698, A71. DOI 2025
  6. Discovery of a 0.8-mHz quasi-periodic oscillation in the transient X-ray pulsar SXP31.0 and associated timing transitions
    Salganik A., Tsygankov S. S., Molkov S. V., Lapshov Igor Yu., Lutovinov A. A., Tkachenko A. Yu., Mushtukov A. A., Poutanen J.
    in press 2025

Awards and Honors

  • Personal Scholarship of the Government of St. Petersburg in the field of Physics –
  • IKI RAS Best Scientific Work Prize (for researchers under 35)
  • Enhanced Academic Scholarship of St. Petersburg State University for academic and research excellence –

Accepted Proposals

General Observer
  • PI: Insight-HXMT proposal for observations of cyclotron line harmonics
  • PI: IXPE proposal for GX 1+4 observations
  • Co-I: IXPE proposal for 4U 1907+09 observations
Director's Discretionary
  • PI: NuSTAR 140 ks TOO observations of SXP 31.0
  • PI: NuSTAR 59 ks TOO observations of LS V +44 17 –
  • PI: NuSTAR 56 ks TOO observations of eRASSU J050810.4−660653

Press & Public Outreach

  • INTEGRAL Picture of the Month: Observations of RX J0440.9+4431 in the supercritical accretion regime (link)
  • IKI RAS Press Release: RX J0440.9+4431 switched to the super-critical accretion regime (link)
  • Main RAS Press Release: RX J0440.9+4431 transitions into super-critical accretion (link)

Talks

  • On the nature of the X-ray pulsar XTE J1859+083 and its broadband properties:
    • Conference Fundamental and Applied Space Research 2021, IKI RAS
    • Invited Talk at St. Petersburg State University
    • Conference Astronomy and Space Exploration, Ural Federal University
  • Study of the X-ray pulsars Swift J1808.4−1754 and eRASSU J050810.4−660653 based
    on space observatories' data:
    • Conference Fundamental and Applied Space Research 2023, IKI RAS
  • Study of the transition of the pulsar RX J0440.9+4431 to the super-critical accretion regime:
    • Conference Physics of Neutron Stars 2023, Ioffe Institute
    • Invited Talk, Princeton University
    • Invited Talk, Ioffe Institute
    • Conference High-energy Astrophysics Today and Tomorrow HEA-2023, IKI RAS
  • Discovery of a bimodal luminosity distribution in persistent Be/X-ray pulsar 2RXP J130159.6-635806:
    • Invited Talk, THEAPA Group Meeting, University of Maryland
  • Discovery of a 0.8-mHz quasi-periodic oscillation in the transient X-ray pulsar SXP31.0
    and associated timing transitions:
    • The 22nd meeting of the AAS High Energy Astrophysics Division