Zhibek Akasheva

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen mentorship?

My professional background in research and education brings me an opportunity to share with the host company in-depth information about educational and research systems in Kazakhstan, to help in building relationships with Kazakh researchers and to develop collaborative research projects. I would be happy to serve as a bridge between the host company and local Kazakh researchers.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Commercialization of software products and how to find partners for a science-based start-up.
2. How to develop networking skills.
3. How to become an effective team leader in a start-up and a research laboratory.

Mentorship Characteristic

• Visit an office or attend a site-visit
• Focus on leadership skills building
• Identify a short-term project I can work on at the partnering company
• Exposes me to new tools and platforms
• Gets me involved in day-to-day activities of the mentor and partnering company.

Ideal Company Type

As I want to build a science-based start-up in Kazakhstan, I would like to get mentored by a person who had similar experience or who leads a team developing science-based products or specialized software. I would like to upgrade my team management skills.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Responsible
2. Attentive
3. Friendly

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

The collaboration and contributions made with a U.S. based mentor will help me to strengthen my leadership, team management and networking skills. Also, I would like to deepen my understanding of how to build commercially sustainable science-based startups. I hope that this program will help me to change my career track toward the commercialization of research results. In the long term, I envision myself as a person who encourages girls and women in building careers in STEM and developing deep tech startups by personal example.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

I will be happy to share my knowledge with a wider research community in Kazakhstan to help in building deep tech startups. I am ready to be a mentor for female students in Kazakhstan by exchanging ideas and perspectives on achieving goals, building efficient relationships with colleagues and bringing more benefits to our country, sharing information about opportunities for female professionals in science and engineering. I am open to developing collaborative projects with other TechWomen alumnae to support women in

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

9

Primary Professional Focus

• Energy, renewable technology or green technology
• Scientist and researcher
• Technical project and program manager

Education History