Project Team
the project is carried out by an interdisciplinary research group that brings together expertise in materials science, physical and analytical chemistry, as well as neutron-based research methods.
Zhanar Zhakiyeva
Project Lead
Project Lead
Dr. Zhanar Zhakiyeva is a specialist in physical chemistry and cement materials, with a research focus on the structure and dynamics of water in low-carbon cements. Her work combines advanced experimental techniques, including neutron scattering and synchrotron methods, with computational modeling to investigate cementitious materials at the nanoscale.
She has extensive international research experience, having worked and collaborated with leading institutions such as the Institut Laue-Langevin and Université Grenoble Alpes (France), Princeton University (USA), University of Sheffield (UK), and the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland). Her research has been published in leading journals including Cement and Concrete Research and The Journal of Physical Chemistry C.
Dr. Zhakiyeva is currently leading a funded research project on nanoscale water in low-carbon cement systems and manages interdisciplinary teams of researchers and technologists at Nazarbayev University. Her work contributes to the development of sustainable construction materials with reduced environmental impact.
She has extensive international research experience, having worked and collaborated with leading institutions such as the Institut Laue-Langevin and Université Grenoble Alpes (France), Princeton University (USA), University of Sheffield (UK), and the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland). Her research has been published in leading journals including Cement and Concrete Research and The Journal of Physical Chemistry C.
Dr. Zhakiyeva is currently leading a funded research project on nanoscale water in low-carbon cement systems and manages interdisciplinary teams of researchers and technologists at Nazarbayev University. Her work contributes to the development of sustainable construction materials with reduced environmental impact.
Saule Mergenbayeva
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Saule Mergenbayeva is a researcher specializing in chemical technology and materials science, with a focus on cementitious systems and environmental materials. She is currently involved in research on low-carbon cement systems, contributing to experimental studies and physicochemical characterization of materials.
She has academic and research experience at Nazarbayev University and international exposure through research work at the University of Patras (Greece) and an internship at San Jorge University (Spain). Her work includes participation in multiple international conferences, where she has presented research on environmental materials and chemical technologies.
Saule has contributed to over 14 Scopus-indexed publications and is actively involved in scientific peer review for international journals. Her research interests include sustainable materials, chemical processes, and applied laboratory analysis.
Contact:
saule.mergenbayeva@nu.edu.kz
She has academic and research experience at Nazarbayev University and international exposure through research work at the University of Patras (Greece) and an internship at San Jorge University (Spain). Her work includes participation in multiple international conferences, where she has presented research on environmental materials and chemical technologies.
Saule has contributed to over 14 Scopus-indexed publications and is actively involved in scientific peer review for international journals. Her research interests include sustainable materials, chemical processes, and applied laboratory analysis.
Contact:
saule.mergenbayeva@nu.edu.kz
Nuray Abdullayeva
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Nuray Abdullayeva is a biochemical engineer specializing in materials characterization and sustainable cement systems. She is involved in research on low-carbon blended cements, focusing on the synthesis of C-(A)-S-H phases and the analysis of industrial waste materials.
She has hands-on experience with advanced analytical techniques, including FTIR, TGA, XRF, and ICP-OES, and has participated in synchrotron-based X-ray scattering experiments at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. Her work contributes to understanding the fundamental properties of water in eco-friendly cement systems.
In addition to her research activities, she has professional experience in laboratory testing and sample analysis, as well as teaching experience as an English tutor.
She has hands-on experience with advanced analytical techniques, including FTIR, TGA, XRF, and ICP-OES, and has participated in synchrotron-based X-ray scattering experiments at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. Her work contributes to understanding the fundamental properties of water in eco-friendly cement systems.
In addition to her research activities, she has professional experience in laboratory testing and sample analysis, as well as teaching experience as an English tutor.
Anton Cherepanov
Undergraduate Researcher
Undergraduate Researcher
Anton Cherepanov is an undergraduate researcher in chemistry, contributing to the project through computational modeling and data analysis. His work focuses on molecular modeling of cementitious systems, including C-S-H and C-A-S-H structures, using tools such as LAMMPS, Moltemplate, and Atomsk.
He is involved in developing and automating simulation workflows, as well as visualizing nanoscale structures using VMD and OVITO. His research supports the understanding of cement hydration processes and material behavior at the atomic level.
Anton combines strong programming skills (Python, C++, Linux-based tools) with a background in physical, analytical, and inorganic chemistry, contributing to the interdisciplinary nature of the project.
Contact:
anton.cherepanov@nu.edu.kz
He is involved in developing and automating simulation workflows, as well as visualizing nanoscale structures using VMD and OVITO. His research supports the understanding of cement hydration processes and material behavior at the atomic level.
Anton combines strong programming skills (Python, C++, Linux-based tools) with a background in physical, analytical, and inorganic chemistry, contributing to the interdisciplinary nature of the project.
Contact:
anton.cherepanov@nu.edu.kz
We welcome collaboration and are always open to working with new researchers, partners, and motivated talents interested in cement science and sustainable materials.
If you would like to join the project, collaborate, or learn more about our work, please feel free to contact the research group lead.
We will be glad to hear from you.
Contact: zhakiyeva@nu.edu.kz
If you would like to join the project, collaborate, or learn more about our work, please feel free to contact the research group lead.
We will be glad to hear from you.
Contact: zhakiyeva@nu.edu.kz