At The Ohio State University, an international trio hailing from Kazakhstan is boosting the university's clean-energy and mitochondrial biology research efforts. Ardak Kakimova, Sandugash Sandybayeva, and Yelena Zaparina have reportedly been invited to participate through an international academic program known as the Bolashak International Scholarship program, according to a statement obtained by Ohio State News. This program is specifically crafted to provide advanced career training for Kazakh professionals at premier global higher education institutions.
In the words of Sandugash Sandybayeva, "The word 'bolashak' means 'the future'." She described the Bolashak program as a government initiative in Kazakhstan that aims to support highly talented students and scientists. Their current research involves plant-based energy sources that could potentially be used to power homes and businesses in the future. "There is not any bad effect to nature," Kakimova told Ohio State News, expressing the significance of their work in the realm of hydrogen production and clean energy.
These scientists have found a home for their research at the university's Aronoff Laboratory, working under Professor Patrice Hamel of molecular genetics. Professor Hamel shared that the work of Kakimova and Sandybayeva is contributing to a multidisciplinary initiative that focuses on "the engineering of photosynthetic microbes to produce next-generation biofuels," according to Ohio State News. Meanwhile, Yelena Zaparina is advancing research on mitochondrial biology and energy conversion at the cellular level.
Their decision to join Ohio State was precipitated by a referral from a colleague at the University of California, Berkeley. "He had an online meeting with all of us and then he sent us his projects. We discussed our projects and [his] was very close to ours," Kakimova explained to Ohio State News. The Kazakh researchers have since been quick to commend the research facilities at Ohio State, stating, "Everything is so available and it's very nice to have." This environment is providing them the opportunity to learn new methods essential for their research endeavors.
Alongside their academic pursuits, the Kazakh scientists have been warmly received by the Buckeye community and central Ohio. Sandybayeva has highlighted the array of events organized by the Office of International Affairs, which includes English-speaking clubs and other activities. Meanwhile, Kakimova acknowledged the instrumental role Hamel played in assisting with her integration into campus life, especially in finding child care services for her three-year-old son.
