FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Mikhail Volkov
Television journalist, member of the Russian Union of Journalists, and founder of Genome Inform.
Mikhail Volkov has more than 20 years of television journalism experience and has recorded over 1,000 interviews with senators, clinicians, patient representatives and patients. He has also made documentary films about social initiatives.
Reporting on rare diseases
He has worked in the rare disease field since 2021. At the Federation Council television channel, he covered rare diseases and access to medicines.
He led the non-profit organisation Orphanmedia and worked at the Genome Patient Support Centre, progressing from public relations manager to deputy director. He was responsible for communications for Desant Dobra, a project bringing specialists from federal clinics to the regions to consult patients with rare diseases. His work included filming clinical discussions, interviewing clinicians and families, coordinating on-site activities and presenting interim project results.
He prepared award applications and video presentations for the centre’s director and supported her participation in national awards. In 2024, she won the Women of NGOs competition and became a finalist in the Charity category of the Women of Russia National Award.
Genome Inform published its first material in March 2023 and obtained news agency registration in 2025. Mikhail works with patient organisations, clinicians and legislators and welcomes cooperation.
Experience
- 2021–present: rare disease reporting; leadership roles at Orphanmedia and the Genome Patient Support Centre; editor-in-chief of Genome Inform since March 2023.
- 2013–2023: special correspondent, Federation Council television channel.
- 2011–2012: Moskovia television and radio company.
- 2009–2010: one of the presenters of the documentary series Secret Signs on TV-3; correspondent and news segment presenter at City FM in 2009.
- 2006–2009: correspondent for Vesti. Dezhurnaya Chast on Rossiya television; subsequent work at Mir, VKT, Stolitsa and REN TV.
- 2005–2006: television correspondent and radio sound engineer in Yekaterinburg.
- 2001–2005: television and radio work in Zlatoust, Tryokhgorny and Chelyabinsk; Chelyabinsk Region columnist for FederalPress.
- 1998–2001: submarine service in the Northern Fleet.
- 1994–1998: teaching television journalism at the Periskop children’s television studio in Zlatoust.
Education
Studied television journalism at South Ural State University. Completed training at the New Horizons school for non-profit leaders.
