In 1990 Skalny attained a Ph.D. degree defending a thesis in the field of Addiction Medicine (“Study of the effect of chronic alcohol intoxication on the metabolism of zinc, copper and lithium in the body”).[3] In 2000 he attained a Doctor of Medical Sciences degree for his dissertation “Ecological and physiological rationale of the effectiveness of the use of macro - and micronutrients in disorders of homeostasis in the examined from various climatic and geographical regions. The feasibility study from the ecological and physiological point of view”.[3]
In 2003 Skalny founded the world's first Bioelementology Institute under the support of Orenburg State University's rectorate, RUSTEM and UNESCO.[6]
In the first decade of the 21st century, Anatoly Skalny researched the biological role of various macro and trace elements. He worked on developing methods and forms of using macro and trace elements to effectively treating various human metabolism disorders.
In 2012 Skalny became the Vice President of Special Projects of the Trace Element Institute for UNESCO (TEU).[4] TEU's main objective is to develop and promote new technologies aimed at diagnosis and correction of mineral and trace element deficiencies in humans and animals, as well as trace element overload of natural, anthropogenic, and iatrogenic origins.[12]
RUDN University's Department of Medical Elementology was established with Skalny's active participation in April 2016. It is developing a methodological basis for studying trace elements and mineral metabolism in humans. Another area of research is studying the effect of the elements’ imbalance on the development of various diseases.[13]
Anatoly Skalny organized a large-scale study of the trace element status of the Russian Federation's population.[14] Based on the obtained data, a detailed map of the country's regions was developed and published in a five-volume monograph series (“Element status of Russia”). The revealed imbalance of elements is useful for the diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of many diseases.[15]
Skalny is a popularizer of science. For example, Skalny participated in a debate with Russian biologist and science popularizer Alexander Panchin.[18] Skalny is also a frequently invited expert in various TV projects.[19][20]
Awards
Vladimir Vernadsky National Ecology Award for the “Element status of Russia” project (Science for Ecology nomination), 2016.[21]
Selected works in English
Keen C.L, Uriu-Adams J.Y., Skalny A., Grabeklis A., Grebeklis S., Green K., Yevtushok L., Wertelecki W. W., ChambersCh.D. The plausibility of maternal nutritional status being a contributing factor to the risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: The potential influence of zinc status as an example // BioFactors (Oxford, England). — 2010. — V. 36 (2). — P. 125–135.
Skalny, A. V., Skalnaya, M. G., Grabeklis, A. R., Skalnaya, A. A., &Tinkov, A. A. (2018). Zinc deficiency as a mediator of toxic effects of alcohol abuse. European journal of nutrition, 1-10.
Bjørklund, G., Skalny, A. V., Rahman, M. M., Dadar, M., Yassa, H. A., Aaseth, J., ... &Tinkov, A. A. (2018). Toxic metal (loid)-based pollutants and their possible role in autism spectrum disorder. Environmental research, 166, 234–250.
Skalny A.V. Bioelementology as an interdisciplinary, integrative approach in life sciences: Terminology, classification, perspectives // Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology. — 2011. — V.25. — P.3-10.
Tinkov, A. A., Filippini, T., Ajsuvakova, O. P., Aaseth, J., Gluhcheva, Y. G., Ivanova, J. M., ... &Skalny A.V. (2017). The role of cadmium in obesity and diabetes. Science of the Total Environment, 601, 741–755.
Skalny, A. V., Simashkova, N. V., Klyushnik, T. P., Grabeklis, A. R., Bjørklund, G., Skalnaya, M. G., ... &Tinkov, A. A. (2017). Hair toxic and essential trace elements in children with an autism spectrum disorder. Metabolic brain disease, 32(1), 195–202.
^Skalny, Anatoly V. (January 2011). "Bioelementology as an interdisciplinary integrative approach in life sciences: Terminology, classification, perspectives". Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology. 25: S3 –S10. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2010.10.005. PMID21167697.