written by Lyubov Burlakova
The Alper-Doger Scientific Index in 2023 ranked Alexander (Sasha) Karatayev as the best scientist at Buffalo State University based on the total H index (41), total i10 index (98), and the total number of citations (6,585). Karatayev is also ranked as #64 scientist in Fisheries, Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology, Invasive Species and Freshwater Ecology in the United States. The Alper-Doger Scientific Index analyzes academic studies from 217 countries, 20,006 universities/institutions, and 1,334,957 scientists by using numerous criteria to produce an index for the evaluation of productivity and efficiency of individuals and institutions. The most cited articles he co-authored include Karatayev et al. 2007 “The effects of Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas) invasion on aquatic communities in eastern Europe,” Lopes-Lima et al. 2017 “Conservation status of freshwater mussels in Europe: state of the art and future challenges,” and Karatayev et al. 2007 “Changes in global economies and trade: the potential spread of exotic freshwater bivalves.”
In 2022, Sasha published 13 peer-review research papers with co-authors, including three large reviews on biology, ecology, ecosystem services, and impacts of invasive mollusc Dreissena. Freshwater molluscs in genera Dreissena (zebra and quagga mussels) are considered among the most aggressive freshwater invaders due to the economic and ecological disruptions that have accompanied their spread across Europe and North America. One of these reviews (Karatayev and Burlakova 2022: “What we know and don’t know about the invasive zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) mussels”) spanned over 74 printed pages and summarized over 2,800 publications on zebra and quagga mussels, including data on their taxonomy, systematics, evolution, life cycle, reproduction, feeding, growth and longevity, population dynamics, interspecific competition, habitat requirements, and distribution within and among waterbodies. In addition, Sasha has just submitted another review, the largest to date at 240 pages with 607 literature references, to Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture (Karatayev et al. “Natural enemies of zebra and quagga mussels: predators, parasites, and ecological competitors”).
Additionally, Lyubov (Lyuba) Burlakova is the next highest ranked scientist at Buffalo State, technically at #3 since Sasha accidentally has two Google Scholar accounts. Burlakova has a total H index of 40, total i10 index of 94, 6,436 citations, and is ranked #78 in Fisheries, Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology, Invasive Species and Freshwater Ecology in the United States. Lyuba’s top cited articles are the same as Sasha’s since they co-author many papers. Congratulations, Sasha and Lyuba!
Image caption: Sasha Karatayev doing field work aboard the EPA's R/V Lake Guardian.
