The Khalimon Research Group
Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
CURRENT GROUP MEMBERS
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS AND POSTDOCS
Dr. OZGUR OZTOPCU
B.Sc. in Chem. Eng.: 1998, Istanbul Technical University (Turkey)
M.Sc. in Chemistry: 2010, Vienna University of Technology (Austria)
Ph.D. in Chemistry: 2013, Vienna University of Technology (Austria) with Prof. Karl Kirchner
Shift Supervisor: 2017-2019, PHOENIX Arzneiwarengroßhandlung GmbH (Austria)
Postdoctoral Research Assistant: 2019-2020, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan) with Prof. Andrey Khalimon
Instructor in Chemistry: 2020-present, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Ozgur joined the group in August 2019 as Postdoctoral Research Assistant. Since January 2020 he is working as Instructor in Chemistry but is still actively involved in research in our group. Ozgur is developing non-symmetrical molybdenum and base metal pincer complexes and investigating their catalytic activities in reduction of challenging unsaturated bonds.
Dr. KRISTINA GUDUN
B.Sc. in Chemistry: 2007, Buketov Karaganda State University (Kazakhstan)
M.Sc. in Chemistry: 2009, Buketov Karaganda State University (Kazakhstan)
Ph.D. in Chemical Technology of Organic Compounds: 2012, Buketov Karaganda State University (Kazakhstan)
Laboratory Technologist: 2013-2015, ACRYLATE LTD. (Kazakhstan)
Postdoctoral Research Assistant: 2016-2017, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan) with Prof. Rostislav Bukasov
Postdoctoral Research Assistant: 2017-present, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan) with Prof. Andrey Khalimon
Kristina is involved in multiple research projects across our laboratory but mainly she is working on nickel, cobalt and iron catalysts for small molecule activation and chemoselective reduction of unsaturated N-containing organic molecules
Ph.D. STUDENTS
AINUR SLAMOVA
B.Sc. in Chemical Technology of Organic Compounds: 2013, Buketov Karaganda State University (Kazakhstan)
M.Sc. in Chemistry: 2015, Gumilev Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan)
Chemistry Teacher: 2015-2016, IB School of Astana (NIS) (Kazakhstan)
Laboratory Assistant: 2016-2018, Department of Chemistry, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Research Technologist: 2018-2022, Core Facilities, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry: 2022-present, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Ainur is working on base-metal-catalyzed synthesis of amines and N-containing molecules via transfer hydrogenation and hydrogen borrowing strategies.
TOLGANAY ANDIZHANOVA
B.Sc. in Chemical Technology of Organic Compounds: 2014, Al Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan)
M.Sc. in Petrochemistry: 2016, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan)
Laboratory Technologist: 2014-2016: Research Institute of New chemical technologies and materials of Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan)
Instructor: 2016-2018, 2020-2022, LLP APEC PetroTechnic Higher College (Kazakhstan)
Sales Specialist (bulk chemicals and gases): 2018-2020, LLP Topan (Kazakhstan)
Ph.D. Student in Chemistry: 2022-present, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Tolganay is working on the design of base metal catalysts for valorization of carbon dioxide and reduction of carbon dioxide derivatives (such as ureas, carbamates, carbonates, etc.)
M.Sc. STUDENTS
AYAZHAN BIZHANOVA
B.Sc. in Chemistry: 2023, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
M.Sc. Student in Chemistry: 2023-present, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Ayazhan is working on (transfer)hydrogenation catalysis using bifunctional base metal complexes.
AZHAR TIMURKYZY
B.Sc. in Chemistry: 2023, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan)
M.Sc. Student in Chemistry: 2023-present, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Azhar is developing immobilized TM catalysts with polyamine ligands for hydrogenation reactions.
TOLUWANIMI LYDIA AKINDELE
B.Sc. in Pure Chemistry: 2021, Lagos State University (Nigeria)
M.Sc. Student in Chemistry: 2023-present, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Lydia works on the design of transition metal complexes for electrocatalytic and photocatalytic applications.
AMINA ZHARKENOVA
M.Sc. Student in Chemistry, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Amina working on the project aimed at the preparation of immobilized TM complexes with S-ligands and their applications to reduction catalysis
B.Sc. STUDENTS
BAKDAULET SEISENKUL
B.Sc. Student in Chemistry, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Bakdaulet is developing metal-free catalytic systems for reduction of lactones and esters
PAST GROUP MEMBERS
Former Undergraduate Students:
Assel Yelubayeva 6 months, 2016
Current position: unknown
Alibek Nurseiit 2015-2018
Current position: Lead Process Engineer at TOO "KLPE" (Kazakhstan)
Medet Segizbayev 2015-2018
Current Position: PhD in Chemistry from Brock University (Canada), Medicinal Chemist at HDAX Therapeutics (Ontario, Canada)
Dr. Aishabibi Kassymbek 6 months, 2017
Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher with Prof. Newman at the University of Ottawa (Canada)
Assyl Adamov 2018-2019
Current Position: Chemistry Teacher at Nazarbayev Intellectual School (NIS) in Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Adil Les 2019-2020
Current position: Business Development Manager in KAZPHOSPHATE LLC (Kazakhstan)
Dinmukhamed (Dimash) Shakhman 2018-2020
Current position: Process Lab Technologist at Entegris (Toronto, Canada)
Raikhan Zakarina 2020-2021
Current position: Ph.D. Student in Chemistry at University of Ottawa (Canada)
Valeriya Frolova 2018-2022
Current position: Chemist in environmental monitoring laboratory
Ayazhan Bizhanova 2021-2023
Current position: MSc Student in Chemistry at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Azamat Yessengazin 2018-2023
Current position: Ph.D. Student in Chemistry at The Pennsylvania State University (USA)
Ofeliya Talimonyuk 2023-2024
Current position: Ph.D. Student in Chemistry at Colorado State University (USA) (with Prof. Yuyang Dong)
Amina Zharkenova 2023-2024
Current position: M.Sc. Student in Chemistry at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Former Graduate Students:
Alibek Nurseiit M.Sc. (2018-2020)
Current position: Lead Process Engineer at TOO "KLPE" (Kazakhstan)
Medet Segizbayev M.Sc. (2018-2019)
Current Position: PhD in Chemistry from Brock University (Canada), Medicinal Chemist at HDAX Therapeutics (Ontario, Canada)
Aziza Adilkhanova M.Sc. (2019-2021)
Current position: Ph.D. student in Chemistry at Brock University (Canada)
Saniya Rakisheva M.Sc. (2021-2023)
Current position: Ph.D. student in Chemistry at Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan)
Former Contract Researchers and Postdoctoral Fellows:
Zhaisan Zhanabil (Jaysan Janabel) B.Sc. Research Assistant (2018)
Current Position: Ph.D. Student in Chemistry at Purdue University (USA)
Sandugash Yergeshbayeva M.Sc. Research Assistant (6 months, 2017)
Current position: Ph.D. Student in Chemistry at Florida State University (USA)
Aziza Adilkhanova M.Sc. Research Assistant (2021-2022)
Current position: Ph.D. student in Chemistry at Brock University (Canada)