AKMARAL SULEIMENOVA
Portugal
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in science communication, media relations, and public speaking, adept at delivering impactful live TV and radio interviews. Demonstrates strong project management skills through successful aerospace campaign coordination and risk assessment, fostering international stakeholder relations. Proven leadership in mentoring cross-functional teams and academic instruction, complemented by effective budget and grant management. Committed to advancing strategic initiatives within the aerospace sector while nurturing future talent.
Overview
15
15
years of post-secondary education
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Instructor/Post Doc
Department of Chemistry, Nazarbayev University
, Kazakhstan
2025.02 - 2026.05
- Deliver engaging lectures and laboratory instructions for large diverse student audiences (100+ students).
- Upgraded the Biochemistry laboratory curriculum, introducing computational drug-interaction simulations and marketing-oriented technical modules.
ELGRA Mentor
ESA Education (European Space Agency)
2026.04 - 2026.05
- Provide technical oversight, risk management, and operational guidance for the CAPYBARA team selected for the ESA Parabolic Flight Campaign aboard the Airbus A310 Zero-G.
- Conducting regular progress reviews, ensuring successful achievement of set goals by mentees.
President (Elected)
Visiting Student Association (VISTA), MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
2023.01 - 2023.10
- Led an international association of visiting scholars in Massachussetts Insitute of Technology, MA, USA.
- Organized cross-cultural events, managed executive communications, and represented the interests of global researchers to MIT administration.
Principal Investigator / Project Manager
Micro G Team
Portugal / Sweden
2020.06 - 2023.11
- Secured the prestigious "ELGRA Goes Suborbital!" grant. Coordinated the development and successful integration of an autonomous microfluidic payload for the MASER 14 sounding rocket campaign at Esrange Space Center, Sweden.
- Drafted press releases, managed communications, and coordinated with international space research partners to successfully disseminate mission findings.
Researcher
BioMark Sensor Research, University of Coimbra
, Portugal
2021.01 - 2025.01
- Supervised and mentored 3 Master’s thesis students in Chemical Engineering from concept execution to final public defense.
Teaching & Laboratory Assistant
Nazarbayev University
, Kazakhstan
2013.08 - 2017.09
- Managed laboratory logistics, designed curriculum modules, and facilitated student outreach programs.
- Achieved cost savings of over $300,000 in equipment and reagent purchases by negotiating directly with production sites, bypassing local suppliers, and reducing costs associated with intermediary companies, thereby optimizing the research budget.
- Performed advanced laboratory techniques including HPLC, GC, MS, XRD, NMR, IR spectroscopy, and chromatography, facilitating the successful development and characterization of chemical compounds.
Education
Ph.D. - Bioengineering
University NOVA Lisbon & MIT Portugal Joint Program
Portugal / USA 2018.01 - 2024.09
International Joint Master Course - SERP-Chem
University of Paris-Saclay / University of Porto / University of Genoa
France / Portugal / Italy 2015.09 - 2017.07
Master of Science - Chemistry
Eurasian National University
Kazakhstan 2011.08 - 2013.08
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Pavlodar State Pedagogical University
2007.08 - 2011.08
Skills
- Communications: Science Communication, Media Relations, Live TV/Radio Interviews, Public Speaking
- Project Management: Aerospace Campaign Coordination, Risk Assessment, International Stakeholder Relations
- Leadership: Mentoring Cross-Functional Teams, Academic Instruction, Budget & Grant Management
LANGUAGES (CEFR Scale)
English: C2 (Proficient / Academic & Professional Fluent)
Portuguese: B2/C1 (Upper-Intermediate / Media Interview Confident)
Russian / Kazakh: Native / Bilingual
French / Italian: A2 (Basic Breakthrough)
AWARDS & LEADERSHIP EXTENSIONS
R&D Grant Winner: Luso-American Foundation (FLAD) sponsorship for MIT research (2023)., Management Committee Member: Student Section of ELGRA (SEGRA) (2021–2024)., Main Debate Judge: Extensive experience coordinating and evaluating national parliamentary debate tournaments in English and Russian (2012–2015).
SELECTED MEDIA OUTREACH & PUBLIC SPEAKING
- National TV Interview (RTP1, Portugal): Main guest expert discussing the deployment of health-monitoring biosensors in space environments (2023).
- Press Coverage: Research and space mission features published in Jornal Económico, Visão, and official University of Coimbra media channels (2022–2023).
- Invited Panelist & Speaker: Delivered 6+ high-profile presentations on space medicine, including Encontro Ciência (Porto), XIX Jornadas de Engenharia (Braga), and Space Afterschool (TreeTree2 non-profit).
Timeline
ELGRA Mentor
ESA Education (European Space Agency)
2026.04 - 2026.05
Instructor/Post Doc
Department of Chemistry, Nazarbayev University
2025.02 - 2026.05
President (Elected)
Visiting Student Association (VISTA), MIT
2023.01 - 2023.10
Researcher
BioMark Sensor Research, University of Coimbra
2021.01 - 2025.01
Principal Investigator / Project Manager
Micro G Team
2020.06 - 2023.11
Ph.D. - Bioengineering
University NOVA Lisbon & MIT Portugal Joint Program
2018.01 - 2024.09
International Joint Master Course - SERP-Chem
University of Paris-Saclay / University of Porto / University of Genoa
2015.09 - 2017.07
Teaching & Laboratory Assistant
Nazarbayev University
2013.08 - 2017.09
Master of Science - Chemistry
Eurasian National University
2011.08 - 2013.08
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Pavlodar State Pedagogical University
2007.08 - 2011.08