After a one-year break, we were excited to bring back our BBQ party for the third time, and it was a fantastic success. From sizzling shashlik to grilled vegetables, the food was as delicious as ever, drawing everyone together for an afternoon of shared laughter and full plates.
But the BBQ was about more than just great food. It gave us a chance to relax, reconnect, and enjoy each other’s company outside the lab. These moments of informal gathering continue to strengthen the spirit of collaboration and friendship that drives our work forward.
This year’s BBQ was also a special occasion to bid farewell to our graduating class (three undergraduates and one Master's student) and to Igor, our in-house organic chemist, who will be leaving us at the end of this month. We celebrated their achievements, shared memories, and wished them all the best as they move on to exciting new opportunities.
We’re already looking forward to the next one.
(Pictures courtesy of Yerbolat Yerzhanov)
We’re proud to share that several researchers from our lab participated in this year's International Symposium on Emerging Materials and Devices, held at Nazarbayev University. Ayagoz Ibrayeva, a Ph.D. student from ENU, presented her work on a COF-added electrolyte for enhanced dye-sensitized solar cell performance. Diana Suleimenova, also a Ph.D. student from ENU, showcased her research on a ternary composite material used as a counter-electrode in photovoltaic applications. Additionally, Nargiz Kazhkenova, a research assistant, and Aidyn Abilkas, a Ph.D. student from NU, presented their collaborative study on the use of FTO-modified electrodes for the simultaneous detection of multiple heavy metals in aqueous solutions. We are incredibly proud of their contributions to advancing materials science and clean energy technologies. #WellDone #KeepItUp #fmc2chem #EmergingMaterials #ResearchExcellence
After more than seven impactful years with our group, we extend our sincere farewell to Dias (1st from the right) as he embarks on an exciting new chapter in South Korea, where he will take on a research position. Dias’s journey with us has been marked by remarkable growth and dedication—from his beginnings as an experimentalist to his successful transition into computational research. His adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on our team. Whether through his rigorous simulations or his generous collaboration, Dias consistently demonstrated both scientific acumen and collegiality. While his presence will be greatly missed, we are immensely proud of his achievements and confident in his continued success. South Korea is fortunate to welcome such a talented researcher, and we look forward to seeing the contributions he will make in this new role. Thank you, Dias, for everything—you will always remain a valued member of the fmc² family. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
A day ahead of Defender of the Fatherland Day, the women of the fmc² Laboratory organized a thoughtful celebration to honor their male colleagues. The event featured pizza, refreshments, and carefully selected gifts, reflecting genuine appreciation and camaraderie. This gesture fostered a positive and festive atmosphere, underscoring the strong sense of teamwork and mutual respect that characterizes the laboratory’s culture.
Research isn’t all lab coats, whiteboards, and experimentation—sometimes, its camouflage, strategy, and a bit of colorful chaos.
Last weekend, our research group stepped away from the lab and into the paintball arena for a much-needed team-building session. While our usual "battles" are over experiments this time we took on a more adrenaline-fueled challenge: navigating a paintball field and dodging colored ammo!
The idea was simple—strengthen our teamwork, improve communication, and, of course, have some serious fun. And we did just that.
We're proud to share that our senior undergraduate students recently showcased their research at the 2025 Youth Chemistry Conference held at Nazarbayev University. This year's theme, "Chemistry Without Borders: Bridging Materials, Energy, and Life Sciences".
🔗 Visit the official conference website to learn more about the event and its purpose.
At fmc² Laboratory, the Nauryz celebration serves as an opportunity to foster stronger connections among researchers while commemorating the arrival of the new year. It highlights the significance of unity and collaboration, reinforcing these core values within our research group. #2025Nauryz
This year, our lab proudly celebrated International Women's Day, recognizing the incredible achievements of women worldwide. We took a special moment to honor the dedication and invaluable contributions of our female colleagues, whose influence continues to grow year after year. Given that this celebration coincides with Ramadan, the men of fmc2 thoughtfully presented flowers from Kazakhstan and chocolate crafted in Astana as a symbol of appreciation. A heartfelt thank you goes to the men who meticulously prepared these gifts, showing solidarity and support in this meaningful way. #IWD2025