Three scientists from Kazakhstan are contributing innovative clean-energy and mitochondrial biology research to The Ohio State University through an international academic program.
Ardak Kakimova, Sandugash Sandybayeva and Yelena Zaparina are conducting research at Ohio State’s Columbus campus through the Bolashak International Scholarship program.
The program provides advanced career training for Kazakh professionals at leading higher education institutions around the world, Sandybayeva said.
“The word ‘bolashak’ means ‘the future,’” she said. “It’s a government program in Kazakhstan for supporting talented students and scientists.”
Patrice Hamel, Ohio State professor of molecular genetics, said the Kazakh scientists have been working in his space at the university’s Aronoff Laboratory throughout the current academic year. The scientists are supporting the advancement of his research while furthering the goals of the STILSA (Students in Life Sciences Abroad) program he developed. The program provides students with curriculum-centered travel experiences.
“Working at the crossroads of biology and sustainability, Ardak and Sandugash are contributing to a multidisciplinary initiative focused on the engineering of photosynthetic microbes to produce next-generation biofuels,” he said. “Yelena is advancing research in my lab on mitochondrial biology and energy conversion at the cellular level.”
Kakimova, Sandybayeva and Zaparina said they chose Ohio State for opportunities to expand on the research they conducted while earning their doctorates in Kazakhstan. A colleague at the University of California, Berkeley, referred the scientists to Hamel.
“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 said. “He was very helpful to us.”
The scientists said the research they’re conducting at Ohio State involves plant-based energy sources that could one day be used to power homes and businesses.
“There is not any bad effect to nature,” Kakimova said. “It’s very interesting to us to help to contribute in this section to develop some new methods for … hydrogen production, clean energies.”
Kakimova, Sandybayeva and Zaparina said they’ve found Ohio State’s research facilities to be world-class.
“Everything is so available and it’s very nice to have,” Kakimova said. “We’re learning some new methods.”
The Buckeye community and central Ohio have been welcoming, the scientists said.
“There have been a lot of events with the Office of International Affairs,” Sandybayeva said. “They’ve provided activities, some in English conversation one on one. We can participate in the speaking clubs.”
Kakimova, Sandybayeva and Zaparina said Hamel has been instrumental in helping them settle into campus life.
“I came here with my son – he’s just 3 years old – and [Hamel’s] friends helped me to find child care centers near the university,” Kakimova said. “His friends surrounded us with their support and helped us to adapt very fast.”
Zaparina said Hamel’s support was timely, considering she arrived on campus in early September.
“It was the beginning of a new semester, and despite his busy schedule, he spent a lot of time with me,” Zaparina said. “He explained everything to me.”
Hamel said Kakimova, Sandybayeva and Zaparina are making contributions that will be of long-term benefit to Ohio State’s mission in research and education.
“Together, their efforts are paving the way for generating preliminary findings,” he said, “and building a strong foundation for future research proposals.”
Written by Chris Bournea, this article was originally published by Ohio State News on January 7, 2026.