The Expert Board

  • Eldar Akhmetgaliyev

    Technical expert, serial entrepreneur

    At the moment, the chief artificial intelligence specialist in the company narya.ai , dealing with cybersecurity of blockchain projects. Former Chief Science Officer at BallerTV (2022), founder of the startup MOCAP Analytics (2012-sold to Sportradar in 2017), has gained extensive experience in various fields: research in Applied Mathematics, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Green Technologies, Blockchain Technologies, Sports Analytics and Sports Technologies. In 2009 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree), in 2015 – California Institute of Technology (PhD). linkedin

  • Rinat Iskakov

    Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation of Atyrau Oil and Gas University

    Professor at Satbayev University. Expert in the field of synthesis and production technologies of special-purpose polymers, polymer materials with relaxation and stimulus sensitive memory, and polymer coatings and thin films.
    In 1991 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Fine Chemical Technology, in 1997 — the University of Texas (Master’s degree), Doctor of Chemical Sciences (1999-2003 Tokyo Institute of Advanced Biomaterials). linkedin

  • Marina Skiba

    Chair of the Expert Council in Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating

    Chair of the Expert Council in Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating, expert of Higher Education Development National Center on the development of educational programs, ambassador of the ETF (European Training Foundation), expert of the NCSTE (National Center of Science and Technology Evaluation), expert of BTS-education, ex-rector of the Financial Academy, consultant on the development of innovative educational programs, Candidate of Pedagogic Sciences, associate professor. linkedin

  • Nurlybek Kasimov

    Data Science Expert at Sportradar, one of the first Founding employees of MOCAP Analytics

    In 2010 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree). In 2016, he defended his doctoral thesis (PhD) at the University of Colorado Boulder. Manages a team of Data Scientists, Data Engineers, and Backend Engineers to solve a wide range of tasks using coordinate data and machine learning in sports (NFL, NBA) – identification of complex game moments, definition and classification of advanced statistics, analysis and development of mathematical and algorithmic models for sports betting. linkedin

  • Yerlan Idelbayev

    Applied scientist in Amazon Web Services

    In 2013, he graduated from the International University with a bachelor’s degree in information technology (Almaty, Kazakhstan), in 2016 — a master’s degree from the University of California San Diego, in 2021 — a doctoral degree (PhD) from the University of California, Merced. He is engaged in scientific research in the field of numerical optimization for compression of neural networks and other machine learning tasks. Author of many articles (15+) and patents (2). During his scientific activity he worked/trained in Facebook (Meta), Google, Nvidia, Amazon. linkedin

  • Azat Suleimenov

    Technical Expert, Manager

    Head of the powertrain systems team at Lucid Motors. Has gained experience in the building/modeling of electric motors/transmissions, complex optimization and modeling of cars, green technologies, system optimizations.
    In 2017 he graduated from Boston University (Master in Materials Engineering)
    In 2015 he graduated from Nazarbayev University (Bachelor in Chemical Engineering)
    In 2014 he completed an internship at the laboratory of thermoelectric materials at Caltech under the “Scientific internships in the world laboratories” program. linkedin

  • Tamirlan Seidakhmetov

    Technical Expert in Data Science

    Currently serving as a Data Science Manager within Apple’s Services organization, where he specializes in product analytics and data science for various applications. Prior to this, worked as a Data Scientist at CCC Information Services, a Chicago-based insurance technology company. In 2015, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Nazarbayev University. Subsequently, in 2016, completed Master’s degree in Management Science & Engineering from Stanford University. The winner of the “Scientific Internships in the world laboratories” program, completed an internship in California Institute of Technology. linkedin

  • Aigul Imadildayeva

    Software engineer and the head of the POWR company's KZ office.

    Graduated from Satpayev University in 2008, where she specialized in IT security. Then obtained her Master’s degree in IT management from the University Technology Malaysia in 2010.
    She was awarded the Bolashak scholarship and emerged as the winner of the “Internships in IT startups in USA” program of Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation. linkedin

  • Aidos Sarsembayev

    Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, Professor

    Senior Machine Learning engineer in one of the Kazakhstani companies focusing on the use of AI to optimize business processes. Professor at the International Information Technology University (IITU).
    He has gained extensive experience in such areas of machine learning as computer vision, speech technologies (speech recognition and synthesis), classical machine learning.
    In 2011, he graduated from Satpayev Kazakh National Technical University with bachelor’s degree in Automation of Technological Processes. In 2018, he completed his doctoral studies at the University of Genoa, Italy, in the field of Application of AI in Robotics.
    Winner of the program “Internships in IT startups in USA”.
    Co-author of the training program and teacher of the fourth week of the Yessenov Data Lab 2020 Summer School. linkedin

  • Almagul Zhanaidarova

    Founder & CTO at Apleum Technologies

    Entrepreneur and inventor with strong technical background in low carbon technologies. PhD with 10+ years of R&D experience at Caltech, Stanford and UCSD. linkedin

  • Askarbek Orakov

    PhD Candidate in the field of bioinformatics and microbial genomics

    His research is focused on development of fundamental bioinformatics tools, resources and databases that support the field of microbiology in general. Graduated from Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences at Nazarbayev University in 2018.
    The winner of the “Scientific Internships in the world laboratories” and “Yessenov Data Lab” programs, completed an internship in Boston University. linkedin

  • Berik Kaliullayev

    A medical resident specializing in pathology at the Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge (Barcelona, Spain)

    Initially trained as a specialist in internal medicine with clinical and research interests in nephrology. Master of Science (“Infectious Diseases and One Health” program at the Université de Tours, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona and University of Edinburgh). Apart from the clinical, Dr. Kaliullayev has also teaching experience (al-Farabi KazNU). Basic medical education: S.D.Asfendiyarov KazNMU. The winner of the “Scientific Internships in the world laboratories” and “Graduate Studies” programs, completed an internship in Mycobacteria Research Laboratories (Colorado State University). linkedin

  • Arailym Kamzabek

    General practitioner

    In the past, a research fellow at the Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic and at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Cardiology, a research scientist at Tsinghua University, an expert at Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (IQAA), founder of the startup WeDocs Future TM (2019). Winner of Kazakhstan’s First President state scholarships, Amgen Scholarship program, and winner of the “Scientific Internships in the world laboratories” program by Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation. She has gained extensive experience in various fields of medicine and science: scientific research in the field of clinical decision support for doctors embedded in patients’ electronic medical records, cardiovascular effects of tobacco smoking and electronic cigarettes, preventive medicine. She was trained at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester) and the University of California (San Francisco). linkedin

  • Arailym Maikenova

    Дәрігер гастроэнтеролог / гепатолог

    Gastroenterologist/hepatologist.
    Education: Astana Medical University, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University
    Internships and specialization:
    – Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania;
    – NYU Langone Health, New York, USA;
    – Open Medical Institute and its partner institutions, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Medical University of Graz, Salzburg, Austria.
    Additionally:
    – Author and co-author of 6 scientific publications;
    – Member of the external expert commission of the Eurasian Сentre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Health care;
    – Member of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).
    The winner of the “Scientific Internships in the world laboratories” program, completed an internship in NYU Langone Health – Fertility center. linkedin

  • Aigerim Sagandykova

    Career mentor

    She is a graduate of Suleyman Demirel University. The winner of the program “Internships in IT startups”. As part of the program, she trained in the company Healthiest.io San Francisco. Previously in Kaspi.kz she worked as a Data Science Team Lead. Leads. She keeps her own channel in Telegram. Career mentor. linkedin

  • Bimazhan Assatova

    Senior Research Assistant, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts General Hospital

    Currently involved in the development of immunotherapy for patients with T-cell lymphoma and leukemia. Previously conducted research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), focusing on ovarian carcinoma and mechanisms determining therapy resistance. Has extensive experience in conducting scientific research in oncology, stem cells, immunology, embryology, developmental biology, genetics, biotechnology, therapy development, and preclinical trials.
    Received training at the Max Planck’s Partner Group laboratory, UNIST in South Korea, Institute of Embryology and Genetics in Japan, Harvard and MIT in the United States.
    In 2021, graduated from Nazarbayev University. From 2021 to 2023, working at Harvard Medical School, she will begin graduate studies at the University of Cambridge in 2023.
    The winner of the “Scientific internships in the world laboratories” program, completed an internship in Robert Allan Weinberg laboratory (MIT). linkedin

  • Yevgeniy Kim

    Research assistant, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine

    He is working on a project to test a new type of therapy for myocardial infarction. He trained at institutes of cardiology in the USA and Japan. Author of more than 10 publications in prestigious scientific journals on immunology, molecular biology, and medicine.
    In 2021, he graduated from the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program at Nazarbayev University with Distinction. In 2017, he obtained bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at Nazarbayev University also with Distinction.
    He is the winner of the “Scientific Internships” program, according to which he completed an internship at the Vascular Medicine Institute at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA. linkedin

  • Yernar Amergaliyev

    React Native Developer at Toptal.com, community leader of Kazakhstan toptalers

    Yernar’s principal experience is with developing React Native apps for iOS and Android. He started working at Quintiq, which has a dozen of clients around the world and a team of 200 developers. As a developer, he constantly pursues the best performance and a modern approach to technologies. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering (Multimedia University – Cyberjaya, Malaysia, 2009-2012), Bachelor’s Degree in Information System Engineering (Eurasian National University – Astana, Kazakhstan, 2007-2009).
    The winner of the program of the “Internships in IT startups in USA”. linkedin

  • Bexultan Abylkhani

    Technical expert, chemical engineer

    He is currently a PhD student at the Stanford University School of Sustainability. He researches and develops reduced order models for subsurface flow simulations (machine learning). He worked in engineering consulting and a tire recycling startup. He has gained research experience in mathematical modeling of surface and underground waters, in the study of decomposition and combustion of solid waste, industrial and agricultural water treatment. In 2018 he graduated from Nazarbayev University (bachelor’s degree), in 2020 — the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Master’s degree). He is the winner of the “Summer Internship program in the UK (Open University)” in 2017 and the holder of an educational grant for the Master’s degree from the Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation. linkedin

  • Irina Dolzhikova

    Research fellow at the Data Science Lab at Nazarbayev University

    She is working on a thesis on the topic “Predictive model for Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology”.
    She obtained a bachelor’s degree with distinction (2016) and a master’s degree (2018) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Nazarbayev University. During the period from 2017 to 2018, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at Nazarbayev University. From 2016 to 2018 she was engaged in scientific projects in the field of Microelectronics, since 2019 she has been engaged in research in the field of BCI. She has gained experience in scientific research on machine learning focusing on deep machine learning (convolutional neural networks). Participated in the programs of the Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation: in 2015 – completed a summer internship at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) under the “Scientific internships in the world laboratories” program, in 2017 – became one of the winners of the “Yessenov Scholarship” program. linkedin

  • Sultan Kobeyev

    MSc in Integrated Building Systems at ETH Zurich

    Sultan is currently studying in his last semester at ETH Zurich in the Integrated Building Systems program, he is the first student from Kazakhstan to receive ETH Excellence Scholarship. He specializes in the energy efficiency of buildings, building-to-grid integration, power systems optimization, and thermal energy storage. In parallel to his studies, he is doing an internship at General Electric Switzerland, where he is developing software solutions for advanced thermo-economic optimization of combined cycle power plants and generating new algorithms for increasing the efficiency of heat recovery steam generators. Sultan received his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2021 from Nazarbayev University. Sultan is the winner of the Program of the “Scientific Internships in the World Laboratories”, thanks to which he did an internship at the GREiA laboratory at the University of Lleida in Spain. linkedin

  • Sultan Mussakhan

    PhD candidate in Archaeogenomics at Brock University (Ontario, Canada)

    The doctoral thesis is aimed at studying human evolution based on the analysis of transposons in ancient DNA and their use as genetic markers. He is a graduate of the undergraduate and graduate programs at Nazarbayev University (2017 and 2019) and a three-time scholarship holder by Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation for scientific internships in 2015, 2016 and 2018. Sultan advocates for equality, inclusivity, diversity, and enlightenment through his creative and scientific work. He is one fellow of the Brock Horizon 2021 Fellows at Brock University. linkedin