The Khalimon Research Group
Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
CURRENT GROUP MEMBERS
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS AND POSTDOCS
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
YEGOR SHEVCHENKO
B.Sc. in Chemistry: 2024, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
M.Sc. Student in Chemistry: 2024-present, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Yegor is working on the design of immobilized base metal catalysts for (transfer)hydrogenation reactions.
B.Sc. STUDENTS
ARINA AlIMBAYEVA
B.Sc. Student in Chemistry, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Arina is working on the design of ligands for catalyst immobilization.
ANSAR SEITKALi
B.Sc. Student in Chemistry, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Ansar is working on the design of ligands for catalyst immobilization.
BAKHYTZHAN NURKHANOV
B.Sc. Student in Chemistry, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Bakhytzhan is working on iminopyridine complexes of base metals for (transfer)hydrogenation catalysis.
YEKATERINA SNISSARENKO
B.Sc. Student in Chemistry, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Yekaterina is working on catalytic reduction of nitro compounds with nickel complexes.
AYAULYM AKAN
B.Sc. Student in Chemistry, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Ayaulym is working on the design of ligands for catalyst immobilization.
ILIAS YESSENGALI
B.Sc. Student in Chemistry, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Ilias is working on composite reduction catalysts based on abundant 3d metals.
PAST GROUP MEMBERS
Former Undergraduate Students:
Assel Yelubayeva 6 months, 2016
Current position: TBA
Alibek Nurseiit 2015-2018
Current position: Director of Engineering Design Department for Polymerization Units and U&IO at Silleno LLP (Kazakhstan)
Medet Segizbayev 2015-2018
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Ottawa (Canada)
Dr. Aishabibi Kassymbek 6 months, 2017
Current position: PhD in Chemistry from Brock University (Canada), Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Ottawa (Canada), Postdoctoral Research Assistant at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
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: Research Technologist at NOVA Chemicals (Calgary, Canada)
Raikhan Zakarina 2020-2021
Current position: Ph.D. Student in Chemistry at the University of Ottawa (Canada)
Valeriya Frolova 2018-2022
Current position: MSc student in Chemistry at Utrecht University (The Netherlands)
Ayazhan Bizhanova 2021-2023
Current position: TBA
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. Dong)
Amina Zharkenova 2022-2024
Current position: Ph.D. Student in Chemistry at the University of Bern (Switzerland)
Yegor Shevchenko 2023-2024
Current position: M.Sc. Student in Chemistry at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Bakdaulet Seisenkul 2022-2025
Current position: Ph.D. Student in Chemistry at Texas A&M (USA)
Former Graduate Students:
Alibek Nurseiit M.Sc. (2018-2020)
Current position: Director of Engineering Design Department for Polymerization Units and U&IO at Silleno LLP (Kazakhstan)
Medet Segizbayev M.Sc. (2018-2019)
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Ottawa (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)
Ayazhan Bizhanova MSc. (2023-2025)
Current position: TBA
Azhar Timurkyzy MSc. (2023-2025)
Current position: TBA
Toluwanimi Lydia Akindele MSc. (2023-2025)
Current position: Research Assistant at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Amina Zharkenova MSc. (2024-2026)
Current position: Ph.D. student in Chemistry at the University of Bern (Switzerland)
Former Contract Researchers and Postdoctoral Fellows:
Zhaisan Zhanabil (Jaysan Janabel) B.Sc. Research Assistant (2018)
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the New York University Abu-Dhabi (UAE)
Sandugash Yergeshbayeva M.Sc. Research Assistant (6 months, 2017)
Current position: TBA
Aziza Adilkhanova M.Sc. Research Assistant (2021-2022)
Current position: Ph.D. student in Chemistry at Brock University (Canada)
Dr. Ozgur Oztopcu Postdoctoral Research Assistant (2019)
Current position: Instructor in Chemistry at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan)
Dr. Aishabibi Kassymbek Postdoctoral Research Assistant (2024-2025)
Current position: TBA