Kakimova Ardak Bolatovna

Professional experience

01.09.2019 – present	Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology — Associate Professor-Researcher; lectures and practical classes in biotechnology and microbiology, including courses taught in English.
02.09.2024 – present	Satbayev University, K. Turysov Institute of Geology and Oil and Gas Business, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering — Associate Professor. Teaching biotechnology and microbiology courses.
01.09.2019 – 31.05.2025	Research Institute of Biology and Biotechnology Problems, Al-Farabi KazNU — Senior Researcher. Research on phototrophic microorganisms, bioenergy, and environmental biotechnology.
12.01.2018 – 31.05.2020	Kazakh-Russian Medical University — Lecturer in microbiology in English for international students.
12.10.2016 – 31.08.2019	S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University — Lecturer in microbiology courses taught in English.

Education

2019–2022	Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology. PhD in Biotechnology. Dissertation: “Screening of hydrogen-producing cyanobacterial strains and optimization of their cultivation conditions.”
2014–2016	Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Master of Natural Sciences in Biology.
2009–2013	Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Bachelor’s degree in Biology.

Professional development and research internships

01.07–31.12.2025	Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, USA. Field of study: Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology; research on the molecular mechanisms of biological hydrogen production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
21.02–06.05.2022	ALGATECH Centre, Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic. Research on microalgal biotechnology and cultivation.
06–21.05.2016	Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
03–28.06.2015	University of Cologne, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Germany. Course: “Innovative Technologies and Methods in Biology.”

Research interests

Phototrophic microorganisms; microalgae and cyanobacteria; biohydrogen and biodiesel; environmental biotechnology and bioremediation; biomonitoring and biotesting; extreme ecosystems; metagenomics and metatranscriptomics; biotechnological potential of natural microorganisms.

Research projects

• AP26194471 “Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic studies of extreme ecosystems to investigate the unique metabolic capabilities of microorganisms in green biofuel technologies” — Project Leader, since 2025.

• AP23485836 “Development of a technology for bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated wastewater using an algal-cyanobacterial consortium for potential biofuel production” — Researcher, 2024–2025.

• AP23485416 “Establishment of a biobank of microalgae and cyanobacteria collections and investigation of their biotechnological potential for applied research” — Project Participant.

• AP14870171 “Development of new domestic bioproducts based on biologically active substances from phototrophic microorganisms” — Project Participant, 2022–2024.

• AP09260785 “Development of biohydrogen production technology based on promising cyanobacterial strains for biofuel production” — Project Participant, 2021–2023.

• AP08052481 “Development of biodiesel production technology based on active microalgal strains” — Project Participant, 2020–2022.

Research results

Research focuses on the screening and characterization of promising phototrophic microorganisms for green bioenergy and environmental biotechnology. The work includes studies of hydrogen-producing cyanobacteria, lipid and fatty-acid profiles of strains isolated from extreme ecosystems, the bioremediation potential of algal-cyanobacterial consortia, and molecular and metabolic mechanisms associated with the formation of biotechnologically relevant traits.

Selected publications

1. Kakimova A.B., Sadvakasova A.K., Kossalbayev B.D., et al. In silico design of biomass-to-hydrogen pathways: A review. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2025;173:151327.

2. Kakimova A.B., Sandybayeva S.K., Bolatkhan K., Zayadan B.K., Toktybay A.K., Akhmetova G.A. Fatty Acids Profile of Novel Cyanobacterial Strains Isolated from Extreme Ecosystems as a Biodiesel Feedstock. ES Energy & Environment. 2025.

3. Kossalbayev B.D., Kakimova A.B., Sadvakasova A.K., et al. Strategies for genetic modification of microalgae to improve the production efficiency of liquid biofuel. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2025;100:1301–1314.

4. Kossalbayev B.D., Kakimova A.B., Bolatkhan K., et al. Biohydrogen production by novel cyanobacterial strains isolated from rice paddies in Kazakhstan. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2022;47(37):16440–16453.

5. Bolatkhan K., Sadvakasova A.K., Zayadan B.K., Kakimova A.B., et al. Prospects for the creation of a waste-free technology for wastewater treatment and utilization of carbon dioxide based on cyanobacteria for biodiesel production. Journal of Biotechnology. 2020;324:162–170.

Awards and achievements

• “Best Young Scientist of Al-Farabi KazNU” — 2023.

• M. Chigayev Award — 2019.

• Diploma for 1st place in the Republican Student Olympiad in Biology.

Scientometric indicators (2026)

h-index: 7; citations: 176. Publications are represented in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.

International collaboration and professional profile

Research experience includes work and research internships at centers in the Czech Republic, Germany, Russia, Italy, and the United States. The main areas of international collaboration include photobiotechnology, molecular genetics, biohydrogen, microalgae and cyanobacteria, metagenomic studies of extreme ecosystems, and sustainable biotechnological applications.