Our second BBQ party was a delicious affair with juicy burgers and charred vegetables that got everyone's taste buds dancing. However, this BBQ was not just about the culinary delights; it also played an important role in fostering the collaboration and friendship that are the foundation of our lab's remarkable achievements.

As the sun sets on our chapter of scientific exploration, we bid farewell to Najeeb, a valued PhD student from the Philippines who spent six months in our fmc² lab. His passion, commitment, and innovative ideas enriched our work. He quickly became an integral part of our lab family, fostering camaraderie and leaving a lasting impression. We'll miss him, but we celebrate his time with us and look forward to future collaborations.

Graduation is an extraordinary milestone that marks the culmination of an individual's academic journey, representing years of unwavering dedication, tireless efforts, and remarkable personal growth. It serves as a moment of profound reflection, allowing us to contemplate the knowledge acquired, the obstacles surmounted, and the lasting connections formed along this transformative path. Within our esteemed lab, we recently gathered to honor a remarkable group of individuals who have triumphantly reached the pinnacle of their academic pursuits. Among them are Dr. Enoch (2nd from the left), who attained a Ph.D. in Science, Engineering, and Technology, and our M.Sc. Chemistry graduates, Dias (left) and Sherif (right).

An extraordinary milestone unfolded as Ambassador Igor Bailen and Consul General Robert Ferrer graced the esteemed grounds of Nazarbayev University, embarking on a visionary journey of exploration towards future collaborations and academic partnerships with Philippine Universities. They also engaged in a meaningful dialogue with Filipino students, including Rachel, a PhD Chemistry student at NU and a faculty member at MSU-IIT, and Najeeb, a Chemistry PhD student of MSU-IIT, a DOST-PCIERRD scholar, and a faculty member at Western Mindanao State University. The exchange at our lab fostered unity and shared aspirations. (Photos courtesy of FB page of Philippine Embassy in Moscow)

We are delighted to announce that our M.Sc. Chemistry students, Dias and Sherif, and our Ph.D. student, Enoch, have passed their oral defenses with flying colors. Dias gave an impressive presentation on his thesis titled "Designing Indigo-based HTMs for Sn-Perovskite Photovoltaics: A Computational Approach". Sherif shared his innovative work on "Cost-Effective and High-Performance Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells using Polymer-based Counter Electrodes". Enoch demonstrated his expertise on Quantification of Insoluble Hexavalent Chromium in Particulate Matter using Functionalized Carbon-Dots. To celebrate their achievements, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with all the members of the fmc² lab.

The fmc² lab celebrated Nauryz, the feast of the spring equinox. We have very good food prepared for us by @janymsoul.nqz. It was a fun and festive way to welcome the new season and honor our diverse culture. Happy Nauryz to all!  #nauryz2023 

Our lab celebrated International Women's Day. We celebrated the incredible achievements of women around the world and especially recognized the hard work of our female members in our lab. #IWD2023 

It is a privilege to meet the renowned scientist in the field of 3rd generation solar cells Prof. Juan Bisquert (3rd from left), who is professor of applied physics at the Universitat Jaume I de Castelló. He visited the fmc² laboratory and we presented him some of our current work in the field of third generation solar cells. Also in the picture are (L to R), Dr. Bakhytzhan, Diana, Prof. Bisquert, Dr. Mannix, Baurzhan, and Enoch.