Leonid Mikhailovich Sushchenya (b. 11.11.1929, v. Malye Luki, Baranovichi district, Brest region), zoologist, hydrobiologist. Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (1980; corresponding member since 1972), Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1990), Russian Academy of Sciences (1991), Doctor of Biological Sciences (1970), Professor (1980). Foreign member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (1994), Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (1995). Honored Scientist of the BSSR (1978).
—Graduated from Belarusian State University (1953).
— Since 1956 - Assistant of the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Belarusian State University, since 1959 - Researcher at the Sevastopol Biological Station of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, since 1964 - Head of the Department of Physiology of the Institute of Southern Seas Biology of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR.
— Since 1971 - Head of the Department of Zoology and Parasitology of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR, since 1980 - Director of the Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR (since 1995 - Honorary Director of the Institute), at the same time in 1979-1992 - Academician-Secretary of the Department of Biological Sciences of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus, in 1992-1997 - President of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus, since 1997 - Advisor to the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
Author of works on primary and secondary production of water bodies, ecological physiology, nutrition, respiration, growth and energy balance of aquatic invertebrates, nature conservation and the environment. He investigated the intensity of photosynthesis of plankton and the distribution of suspended organic matter in the tropical zone of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Riga. Developed important quantitative aspects of trophology and ecological energy of aquatic animals, established the relationship between metabolic rate and growth of crustaceans in various environmental conditions.
In 1992-1998 - Chairman of the Committee on State Prizes of the Republic of Belarus in the field of science and technology.
Chief Editor of the journals "Doklady of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR" (1993-1992), "Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR. Biological Series" (1985—1992).
Author of more than 200 scientific papers, including 7 monographs.
Awarded with the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (1988), Friendship of Peoples (1986), Fatherland of the II degree (2009), Fatherland of the III degree (1999), Friendship (1999, Russian Federation), medal.