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Nail, 24, is currently a PhD student and research assistant at Texas A&M University, and the author of more than 40 scientific publications. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree with honors from D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, and later earned his master’s degree in Japan. Two years ago, he also won the Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation Research Internship Program competition and completed an internship at one of the world’s leading laboratories. What did he work on, what did he learn, and how is it helping him today?

Choosing a Speciality
I never thought I would go into ecology as I was more drawn to computers and technology in my childhood. After finishing school, I enrolled in the Information Systems program. However, everything changed in the winter of 2019, when I won the Altai 2019 IT hackathon. That victory opened the door to the scientific community for me. I started assisting professors and collaborating with them on various projects. One day, our team developed a project in the field of Earth remote sensing and smart agriculture, submitted an application and won several grants. Gradually, my technical interests began to merge seamlessly with ecology.

Yessenov Foundation Competition
One day, I came across a post in the University news feed stating that the Yessenov Foundation was offering an opportunity to complete a research internship at the world’s leading laboratories. There was only a week left until the deadline, but I decided to apply, though my chances were minimal. I noticed that in the entire history of the Foundation no one from my university had ever won the competition, and that gave me an additional motivation. I submitted my application and… became the first-ever winner from EKTU.

Each stage of the competition was memorable in its own way, but the interview stood out. The atmosphere was surprisingly warm and inspiring – it wasn’t a formal selection process but a sincere conversation about science, goals, challenges, and dreams. I felt that the Foundation was truly interested in each participant’s personality and unique story. It was more than just a competition. It was an important experience that gave me confidence.

Why I Won
I believe it’s because I stayed true to myself. At every stage of the competition – from the essay to the interview – I simply spoke honestly about my journey, why science matters to me, and what I want to change in it. I would advise future participants not to try to appear perfect. The Foundation values not template answers, but sincerity, passion, and a clear understanding of why you are pursuing science. When you speak from the heart, people feel it, and that’s far more powerful than any ‘correct’ words.

Finding a Laboratory
When I was looking for an internship, many universities, including NASA, responded too late – my master’s program in Japan had already started, and I had no time to wait. So, I decided to take a simpler approach: as part of a project with the Ministry of Science, I collaborated with Professor Eugene Levin from Michigan Technological University, and it was he who recommended that I reach out to Dr. Michael Wilson, Director of the APSU’s GIS Center. The Center was involved in an eco-monitoring project funded by the state of Tennessee and NASA, and they welcomed me onto the team. There, I analyzed satellite data and developed an interactive platform on Google Earth Engine to track changes in climate, landscapes, and soil conditions. That’s how I became part of Austin Peay State University.

What I Achieved
During my internship at the APSU’s GIS Center, I worked on projects focused on environmental monitoring using NASA data. One of the outcomes was the development of an online portal on the Google Earth Engine platform for analyzing the ecological conditions of Tennessee. This concept later evolved into a global system for monitoring soil erosion and climate change, with the results published in the journal Remote Sensing.

Beyond the research itself, I had the chance to visit several leading U.S. universities, including Stanford, Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and USC. I signed up for all kinds of workshops and presentations, where I had the opportunity to interact with scientists whose work I had previously studied in academic papers. These experiences were deeply inspiring and reaffirmed that I was pursuing the right path.

My Discoveries
With little free time during the internship, I saved the ‘cultural program’ for the end of my internship. In just one week, I managed to visit New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco, getting a feel for the rhythm of the country. But what stuck with me the most was Nashville, just an hour from my lab: my first-ever country music concert and that unique ‘Music City’ atmosphere. In Tennessee, I made friends in the lab and we are still in touch. Professor Eugene Levin often hosted barbecues at his home and invited us over for dinners. It was moments like these that made my experience in the U.S. not only scientific and professional, but also human and warm.

Future Plans
I completed my master’s degree in Environmental Science and Technology at Niigata University in Japan. The studies were conducted under the government’s MEXT scholarship program, supervised by Professor Hideo Hasegawa. I am currently continuing my academic career as a PhD student at Texas A&M University in the Coastal Ecology and Management Lab, specializing in Ecology and Conservation Biology. My work is supervised by Dr. Rusty A. Feagin and forms part of a NASA-funded project. We are researching tipping points in tidal wetland ecosystems, where even minor changes can trigger sudden collapse. I am developing a large-scale satellite monitoring system for the early detection of such instability signs to predict and prevent the degradation of these vulnerable ecosystems. This direction combines everything I am passionate about: ecology, data analysis, and machine learning. In the coming years, I plan to successfully complete my PhD and continue advancing in this field. My goal is to become a professor and apply science to solve real-world environmental challenges. Right now, I genuinely enjoy what I do and want the results of my research to have a tangible positive impact.

Beyond Science
I try to maintain a balance between science and personal interests. I enjoy cooking, almost every weekend I experiment with new dishes and save the recipes that turn out especially well. Jogging helps me recharge, while walking allows me to discover new places nearby. I love exploring my surroundings, finding unfamiliar paths, cafes, and routes. Learning Japanese has become both a genuine hobby and a way to keep my mind sharp. But I have to admit, even in my free time, I often return to my research: reading articles, refining drafts of future publications, and drawing inspiration from science.

The academic year lasted from October 2024 to May 2025. A total of 127 participants – 66 bachelor students and 61 faculty members/PhD candidates/ master’s students – successfully completed the Program, improving their English proficiency by at least one level. Unfortunately, 37 participants who had passed the initial test and were selected for the Program withdrew during the year for various reasons.

“Most of them had the Elementary or Pre-Intermediate levels. They were not yet ready for a program taught by a native speaker. Others withdrew from the Program due to a heavy academic or professional workload and scheduling conflicts. We consider this attrition to be quite natural, similar cases have occurred at all universities where we have implemented the Program. The important thing is that we provided an opportunity for those who were willing and in need to enhance their foreign language proficiency,” Aigerym Sultan, the Yessenov Foundation’s Program Manager, said.

As a reminder, the Yessenov Foundation provides the regional university that wins the republican competition to host the English Language Program with 160 spots for students each academic year. The Program is implemented at each selected educational institution for two years. 275 applications were submitted at EKTU: 120 from faculty members/PhD candidates, and 155 from undergraduate and master’s students. All applicants passed the initial test.

According to the results of the academic year, 25 participants of the English Language Program passed the IELTS exam at the Yessenov Foundation’s expense. One of them couldn’t take the exam due to personal reasons. The IELTS test was conducted by the British Council Kazakhstan. The exam was held offline at D. Serikbayev EKTU on June 7 and 8. The majority of the participants (15) received scores of 5.0 and 5.5. Five Kazakhstanis achieved scores ranging from 6.0 to 8.0.

Meanwhile, Antony Durrant, the Program instructor, expresses concern about the use of AI tools by students in completing written assignments.
“The emergence of AI has a negative impact on the development of writing skills. Unfortunately, students continue to rely on it. For example, only one student in the Elementary group submitted a truly independently written essay! All participants have made progress in speaking: most students with Elementary English proficiency are now able to maintain basic communication. Their listening comprehension has also improved significantly. The participants also performed very well on reading tasks,” shared A. Durrant.

The Yessenov Foundation’s English Language Program at East Kazakhstan Technical University is entering its second year. The application process will open in September. It is expected that, over the course of two years, approximately 300 students and faculty members at EKTU will improve their English proficiency, with around 50 of them taking the IELTS exam funded by the Foundation. In the upcoming academic year, the participants will once again be taught by Antony Durrant and Courtney Bailey, who received high praise during the first year. The classes will start in early October and conclude in May 2026.

The Academician Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation has been implementing the English Language Program at Kazakhstani regional educational institutions since 2013. Over more than 10 years, more than 1,500 participants have enhanced their English language proficiency through the Program, including students and faculty members from Yessenov University (formerly CSUTE named after Sh. Yessenov) in Aktau, Korkyt Ata University in Kyzylorda, Karaganda Medical University, and Kozybayev University in Petropavlovsk. D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) is the fifth Kazakhstani university to host the Foundation’s Program.

The winner of the 2022 Yessenov Foundation research internship competition comes from Turkestan region. He is 26 years old. Bexultan got a master of science degree at the Nazarbayev University School of Medicine. Currently he is a doctoral student at the Utrecht University. In the summer 2023, he went for an internship at the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Center at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. In this interview, Bexultan talks about his experience.

Why did you choose this speciality? What does it focus on?
The decision to choose a speciality in the field of molecular oncology could be simply explained. I am interested in studying cancer cells. These cells are also termed immortal, because they can reproduce infinitely and survive. I believe that this research path will enable me to contribute to the fight against one of the most serious diseases of our time. These professional specialists work in leading scientific and medical institutions including universities, research institutions and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. They develop new methods of diagnosing and treating cancer, and study molecular mechanisms of tumor development and metastasis.

Was the internship competition an interesting experience?
I really liked the competition’s unusual format. Having learned the rules, I immersed myself in the process. Every stage was an exciting challenge. Solving logic problems without a clear answer required professional skills as well as the ability to communicate effectively and show self-confidence. In my opinion, I have been chosen as the winner because of these personal qualities combined with my research experience.

Bexultan, what was the most challenging during the competition and on internship?
A group interview during the competition was rather difficult. At that time, I didn’t really understand how to prepare, how to behave during the interview, how to answer questions, etc. But, as it turned out, the participants were expected to be themselves and do their best. On internship it was rather challenging for me to quickly acquire new knowledge and skills, and to efficiently manage time in order to fulfill assignments in the laboratory. But I managed to overcome the barriers. Motivation, perseverance, support from colleagues and tutors helped me a lot. I would like to give those students who want to apply for this competition a piece of advice. Both in the application and during the interview, make sure to show a keen interest in your research. You will be chosen as the winner if you are highly motivated, aside your other advantages. I would also like to recommend the winners to make their own list of 50 laboratories and write to them as soon as possible. For example, immediately after receiving an invitation to an interview or as soon as you learn about winning the Yessenov Foundation competition.

What were you doing during your internship?
For my internship I chose the Institute of Cancer Sciences at the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Center. It was an intensive and productive course. Under the tutelage of Dr. Chris Halsey I worked on a large research project related to the study on adaptation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia to the central nervous system. I acquired skills in working with cancer and somatic cells, and mastered laboratory techniques. For example, I isolated cancer cells from mice, prepared them for further analysis, and took part in experiments on testing drugs on them. Moreover, I managed to conduct my own research study on whether leukemia cells can receive nutrients from somatic cells, and also analyzed lipid metabolism using a mass spectrometer.

What have you learned in 3 months?
First, I acquired many valuable skills and knowledge and learned how to effectively design experiments – this skill helps me in my research work now. Second, I mastered new research methods that can be applied in science projects. Finally, I gained confidence in my own abilities and discovered my potential in scientific research activities. Now I have a clear understanding of how to transfer from academic sphere to industrial companies – for instance, pharmaceutical or biotechnology ones.

Bexultan, what else did you find interesting during the internship, besides science?
I managed to travel to several cities in the UK – visited Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. It was an opportunity to delve into the atmosphere of different cultures and meet new friends, perhaps future colleagues. I enjoyed visiting many local attractions and tried a wide variety of world cuisines. The Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Center is located outside the city and surrounded by forests. This inspired me to take up a new hobby – hiking – to enjoy nature and physical activity in my spare time.

What do you do now and what are your plans for the next couple of years?
Last year I enrolled in the Maxima Butterfly PhD program at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, where I currently work. Here, doctoral students are considered full-fledged researchers. It gives a unique opportunity to work in the largest pediatric oncology center in Europe – Prinses Maxima Centrum. In the next four years, I would like to complete my dissertation and get a PhD degree. Then I intend to work at a pharmaceutical company, where I hope to be involved in developing new drugs and methods of treating cancer.

How do you spend your free time?
I like jogging and make new routes listening to music. It helps distract from daily routine and discover new interesting places in the city. Once while running through the streets I eventually found a nice coffee shop. It has become my favourite and I often enjoy time with my friends there. I like to travel. Last year I visited Brussels, Strasbourg and Paris. In the future I hope to travel to the countries of southern Europe.

To begin with, who can submit an application to YDL?
The program of the Summer School for analysts will run for 4 weeks. Within the program we train the students in basic Big Data analysis skills to apply their knowledge to further work. Citizens of Kazakhstan who are over 18 years of age can submit an application. They could be current researchers, or students in technical and natural sciences – undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students of Kazakhstani higher education institutions.

Gregoriy, how many grants does the Yessenov Foundation allocate under this program, and how many winners will there be?
There will be 20 winners. The Expert Council will assign a score to each participant. The best 20 contestants with the highest scores will take part in the training course.

What are the requirements for contestants?
Everyone who wants to study at the YDL should be good at mathematics (basic knowledge of statistics and linear algebra), have strong analytical skills, interest and willingness to apply the acquired knowledge in practice, and show it to the experts of the Foundation. Of course, it is also important for the School participants to know the basics of programming. It doesn’t matter though which particular programming language the applicant knows. However, the School’s participant should have a good command of English, at least at the B1 level. If the contestant has any scientific papers published, it will be an advantage.

In 2018-2019 the YDL was held offline, then COVID happened, and the School was held online. What is the School’s format this year?
We decided to test the hybrid format. It will be three weeks of online training, then for the final fourth week – from July 8 to July 13 – we’ll invite all the students to Almaty. All the expenses – travel, accommodation (except students from Almaty) and meals – will be covered by the Foundation.

What characteristics the School student’s computer should have?
Each winner should have a personal laptop with characteristics sufficient for comfortable programming. Recommended parameters are as follows: CPU Intel Core Gen 7 and higher, Mac Silicon M1 and higher, RAM 6 GB and higher.

Gregoriy, when is the deadline for application submission?
Acceptance of applications closes on April 17 at 15.00. All the applications are accepted only online in the state or Russian languages. However, some of the documents attached to the application can be provided in their original languages (usually English, for example, a recommendation or an IELTS certificate).

What is the procedure of the contest and when will you announce the winners?
As usual, the contest will be held in 3 stages. At the first round, our employees and the invited experts will assess the received applications and select those that meet all the requirements of the Provisions. The second round – testing in mathematics and logic, and data analysis exam – will be held online. At the end of the contest there will be an interview with members of the Foundation’s Expert Council, which we will also conduct online. What will be assessed and taken into account during all the stages of the contest, is described in detail in the Program’s Provisions placed on the Foundation’s website. My contacts are there too. I will answer all the questions if there are any. We are planning to complete the selection and upload the list of winners – participants of the YDL 2024 Summer School for data analysts – no later than May 24, on the Foundation’s website too.

What does the YDL 2024 program consist of?
It has already been placed on the website along with the Program Provisions, where you can get answers to all questions. There is also an “Apply” button. The YDL classes will be held by our regular lecturers, theorists and practitioners: Timur Bakibayev, Ph.D. in Computer Science, Professor at AlmaU, and Kuanysh Abeshev, Ph.D. in Mathematics, Dean of the School of Digital Technologies at the same Kazakhstani University – AlmaU. They will teach courses on Python for Data and Data Classification, respectively. The invited lecturers who participate in the Summer School for the first time are: Kirill Yakunin, Ph.D. in Computing Systems and Software, ML Engineer at Metaculus (the U.S. company), Vladislav Yushchenko, M.Sc. Computer Science, Sr. Machine Learning Engineer at Cape Analytics (the U.S. company). Vladislav will also conduct the final, offline week of YDL training in Almaty.

We wish you a successful School’s contest and strong participants, Gregoriy!
Thank you.

19-year-old Pavel Yeryomenko is a second year student of the Faculty of Engineering and Digital Technologies at Kozybayev University in Petropavlovsk. He completed the Yessenov Foundation one year English Language Program at the University. Being the best student of the training course, the Kazakhstani passed IELTS at the expense of the Foundation. In this interview Pavel tells how he has improved his level of English and scored band 8 in one of the world’s most difficult language exams.

How did you learn about the competition?
The curator told me about it. Then I, along with other participants, wrote an essay in English, and so I have passed the selection test.

What is the need of the English language in your occupation?
Most of the technical documents and professional terms in my field – management information systems – are in the English language. Knowledge of language expands employment opportunities – one can also apply for a position in a foreign company. Foreign language gives you a chance to gain international experience without any problem. Take exchange programs or internships for example.

Who was your teacher appointed by the program? How was the training?
Nathan Maher taught me. The classes were online. Each lesson was a new and interesting experience for me. Besides, we often watched and discussed movies. We made small talk. The course of English grammar and vocabulary was intensive. It was interesting to learn from the teacher about the differences between New Zealand, where he lived for a long time, and this country, especially in terms of everyday life.

What do you remember about your training course? What was particularly helpful?
Learning to understand different accents and some peculiarities of the teacher’s speech, to apply what I’ve learned, adapt and use it, was quite useful to me. For example, when he was talking about books or movies, he always used some interesting colloquial expressions, which I think could be of any help to me in the future. Besides, in IELTS oral exam you have to understand people speaking with different accents. Nathan also shared tips on how to pass IELTS better, what to focus on and what aspects of knowledge I have to improve.

Pavel, what was the most difficult part in the IELTS exam?
It was difficult to be heard during the speaking test, because the examiner didn’t hear well, so I had to answer several times. It was also hard to analyze the graphs, since I hadn’t written an essay on them. I didn’t train actually.

How do you plan to use English in the next couple of years?
I plan to continue watching movies in English, reading books, communicating on the Internet and studying professional resources. First of all, I would like to graduate from the University on the joint educational program with the University of Arizona. Then… I plan to study a number of computer-aided design systems, also in the English language, to become an engineer. It will definitely improve my resume and allow me to look for a position in the companies where English language proficiency is an advantage.

What are your interests and hobbies in life?
I am interested in engineering systems and data visualization systems – I study AutoCAD, 3DS Max, Blender, Fusion 360 in my free time. I am also interested in design and modelling, because drawing is my hobby since childhood. So I plan to be engaged in these fields in the future.

Мекен-жайы: Алматы қ., М. Ганди атындағы № 92 мамандандырылған лицей, Панфилов көш., 205  https://yandex.ru/navi/org/1113885258

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