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Dr. Milovan Fustic
Dr. Milovan Fustic
Dr. Milovan Fustic currently works as an Associate Professor of Geosciences at the Nazarbayev University and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary (Canada) and Affiliate Faculty at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado (USA). Fustic holds a PhD in Petroleum Geology from the University of Calgary (Canada). He has 25 years of professional experience in the industry and academia which includes various research, exploration, and field development projects with Shell, Nexen, Statoil, KNOC, Natural Resources Canada (Geological Survey of Canada), and the University of Calgary.
Geoscience Co-PI on CO2 mineral trapping
Geoscience Co-PI on CO2 mineral trapping
Dr. Mahmoud Lotfy Leila
Dr. Mahmoud Lotfy Leila
since January 2024
Dr. Mahmoud Lotfy Leila is a petroleum geologist with a substantial experience in reservoir geology and basin analysis, and currently working as assistant professor of Geo-energy in Mansoura University, Egypt. Dr. Leila holds a PhD in Petroleum Geoscience from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. His current research in the field of geo-energy exploration involves the integration of different geological, and geophysical approaches to establish frameworks for understanding the evolution and subsurface distribution of different resources such as hydrocarbon, hydrogen, helium, as well as geothermal fluids. Also, he has been recently involved in several research projects that aim at investigating the potentiality of subsurface storage of both hydrogen and CO2 in different geological contexts.
Post-doctoral Researchers
Post-doctoral Researchers
Open Position
Open Position
Dr. Riza Nurbekova
Dr. Riza Nurbekova
since July 2020 (PhD student) and since July 2023 (post-doc)
Riza Nurbekova holds a PhD in Petroleum Engineering from Nazarbayev University Riza's research interest is evaluation of unconventional oil and gas potential in Kazakhstan. Research findings will include documentation and ranking of organic-rich strata (including their paleodepositional settings and organofacies, spatial distribution, and petroleum generation potential); b) common risk segment maps outlining the most promising unconventional plays; c) the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the unconventional reserves and estimates of the producing capacity; and d) a developmental risk assessment. Riza's research is supported by IAS graduate research grant and AAPG's Grant in Aid.
Graduate Students
Graduate Students
Mr. Amir Umralin
Mr. Amir Umralin
since 2022
Amir is a MSc student, participating in Chevron project. Mechanical Stratigraphy of Lower Slope settings in the Bolshoi-Karatau, Republic of Kazakhstan. His research is focused on utility of gamma-ray spectrometry as a tool for refining sedimentology of distal carbonate slope deposits.
In parrallel, and in continuation with his previous RA-ship in the group he still supports reservoir characterization of geothermal aquifers in Ily basin, where he is a co-author on a Q1 paper in review.
Mr. Alibek Abeuov
Mr. Alibek Abeuov
since 2022
Alibek is a Mining Engineering student currently involved in Sandstone hosted Uranium deposits project with KATCO since May 2022. His research topic is related to the provenance of the Chu-Sarysu sedimentary basin and the identification of new resources estimation techniques for the uranium deposits in the basin. He has recently became a holder of an IAS travel grant.
Research Associates
Research Associates
Ms. Assel Zhalgasbayeva
Ms. Assel Zhalgasbayeva
since December 2023 (part time)
Assel is a MSc Reservoir Geology and Geophysics holder from joint University of Barcelona and Autonomous University of Barcelona. Master's thesis was about facies and depositional geometry of a changing basin morphology in North of Spain. First undergraduate cohort student of NU SMG in Geology degree. Bachelor's thesis on environmental geochemistry of REE elements in East Kazakhstan. Assel joined Geothermal project supervised by Dr. Milovan Fustic as a part-time research assistant
Mr. Chingis Sagatbekov
Mr. Chingis Sagatbekov
since December 2023 (part time)
Chingis Sagatbekov works in JV "Katko" LLP as a head of geological modeling group. Mr. Sagatbekov earned technician-geologist degrees from "Geological Exploration College" in Semey, bachelor's degrees in geology from "Technical University of East Kazakhstan" in Ust-Kamenogorsk, and master's degrees in "MBA in uranium industry". Has 13 years of uranium industry experience, profound understanding of deposit formation and geological exploration. In his spare time, with SMET group, he is working on innovative fit-for-purpose geomodeling workflows and trains students and RA's about project database.
Mr. Bekzhan Smagambetov (MSc holder)
Mr. Bekzhan Smagambetov (MSc holder)
Jan - June 2024; Sept. 2024 - present
Bekzhan Smagambetov holds Master's in Georesources Engineering at the Universite de Lorraine (ENSG), France. He is engaged in a sedimentological study of uranium reservoirs in Kazakhstan, with a focus on addressing geological controls on uranium recovery by insitu leaching. .
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Students
project co-sponsored by Chevron's decarbonization grant
Ms. Veronika Slipko
Ms. Veronika Slipko
since March 2024
Veronika is a 4th-year geology student at Nazarbayev University, interested in sedimentology, environmental geochemistry, and geophysics. She is currently immersed in a CO2 trapping project, conducting granulometry and analyzing mineral composition of target sand formation as well as sedimentological analysis from 3D outcrop models using Pix4D.
project co-sponsored by Chevron's decarbonization grant
Ms. Nazira Kuzhamratova
Ms. Nazira Kuzhamratova
since June 2024
Nazira is a dedicated Geology student currently engaged in the Chevron decarbonization project. Her academic focus lies in the fields of sedimentology, paleontology, and petrology. Additionally, she possesses a keen interest in environmental geology, with a specific emphasis on CO2 sequestration through the utilization of glauconite and ultramafic minerals.
project co-sponsored by Chevron's decarbonization grant
Ms. Aruzhan Duisen
Ms. Aruzhan Duisen
since June 2024
Duisen Aruzhan is a 3rd year Geology major student interested in sedimentology, geomorphology and paleontology. She is involved in SMET group as part of the Chevron project conducting core logging, collecting data using Stereo Microscope, literature review on olivine minerals and ultramafic.
Katko JJV sponsored thesis
Mr. Yergun Bolpakh
Mr. Yergun Bolpakh
since 2024
Yergun is a third-year Geology student with a strong interest in sedimentology, structural geology, and the application of new technologies in geosciences. He is currently working as a Research Assistant on the Sandstone Hosted Uranium Deposits project, His work includes creating 3D models of outcrops and reservoir architectures, enhancing the understanding of geological formations and resource potential as well as geological controls on uranium recovery processes. He using Petrel, Pix4D, and EasyCore
Katko JJV sponsored thesis
Mr. Mark Vais
Mr. Mark Vais
since June 2024
Mark Vais is a third-year Geology student at Nazarbayev University, working on Uranium deposits project supported by KATCO. His main focus is on mapping lithofacies distribution and recognition of reservoir architecture. He using Petrel and EasyCore.
Katko JJV sponsored thesis
Mr. Abaidildin Abildakhanov
Mr. Abaidildin Abildakhanov
since June 2024
Abaidildin Abildakhanov is a third year student of Nazarbayev University, studying geology by specialty and showing great interest in sedimentology, petrology and geomorphology. He is currently actively involved in a research project with KATCO. His research focuses on mapping the distribution of lithofacies and reservoir architecture elements. Abaidildin is passionate about deepening his understanding of geological processes ahoping to apply those for practical industry solutions. He using Petrel and EasyCore.
Past SMET members
Past SMET members
Ms. Dinara Nadirkhanova
Ms. Dinara Nadirkhanova
Jan. 2023 - June 2024
Currently: KMG Engineering
Dinara worked on the Chevron project on quantifying the relationships between fracture characteristics, facies architecture, and the resultant mechanical stratigraphy for Tengiz and Korolev lower-slope (apron) reservoirs .
Mr Ashirgul Igizgali
May. 2023 - Jan 2024
Currently: MSc at NU
Mr Dias Bekeshov
May. 2023 - Jan 2024
Currently: MSc at NU
Ms Togzhan Mynbayeva
May. 2023 - Jan 2024
Currently: MSc at NU
Dr Ashirgul Kozhagulova
Feb 2021 - December 2023
Currently: Professor, Atyrau
Dr. Ashirgul Kozhagulova was post-doctoral researcher at NU. Her interests covered energy-related geomechanics with the involvement of laboratory work. Her expertise also included geomechanical element testing and supplementary analytical modeling.
Dr. Vadim Yapiyev
July 2022 - July 2024
Currently NURIS
Dr. Vadim Yapiyev is an environmental geoscientist with substantial field and lab experience. Vadim is an experimentalist with research focus on process based modelling using environmental tracers such as stable water isotopes and sensor (observation) data to track the fluxes and stores of water, energy and matter.
Dr. Antoine Dillinger
Dr. Antoine Dillinger
July 2021 - July 2022
Currently: Sentinel-ERM, Brisbane, Australia
Dr. Antoine Dillinger was leading appraisal of geothermal prospects in Kazakhstan’s sedimentary basins as well as sedimentology and stratigraphy of uranium bearing Paleocene-Eocene strata in Chu-Sarisu basin. He is a sedimentologist and basin analyst specialised in the reconstruction of ancient sedimentary systems and stratigraphy.
Mr. Sabber Khandoozi
Mr. Sabber Khandoozi
Jan 2022 - July 2023
Currently: PhD student, USA
Sabber Khandoozigenareh (Khandoozi) was a Ph.D. Candidate in the School of Mining & Geosciences (co-supervised by Drs. Hazlett and Fustic). After recognizing the adverse effect of climate change and global warming, he decided to start his research in CO2 mineralization.
Ms. Leila Karabayanova
August 2022 - January 2023
Currently: PhD Student at Texas A&M University, USA
Leila was a Research Assistant at SMET, focusing on the sedimentological evaluation of geothermal reservoirs. Her research interests included CO2 sequestration, geothermal energy production, and sequence stratigraphy.
Dr. Syed Muzyan Shahzad
Dr. Syed Muzyan Shahzad
January 2023 - April 2024)
Currently: independent consultant, Pakistan.
Ms. Gyuzel Yeltay
Ms. Gyuzel Yeltay
Jan 2022 - Sep 2023
Currently: MSc Student, Manchester
Gyuzel Yeltay was a research associate working mainly on evaluation and reassessment of oil origin and petroleum potential (including unconventional) of Precaspian basin supra-salt strata and Mangyshlak basin.
Mr. Renat Iltukov
Mr. Renat Iltukov
SMET part-time member, July 2020 - April 2021)
Currently: Head of Hydrogeology and Hydrodynamic modeling Department in GEOS, Katko JV LLP.
While in SMET Renat conducted a thorough study about the Mangistau stratigraphy with a focus on the characterization of organic-rich strata.
Mr. Nurlan Abdrakhmanov
Mr. Nurlan Abdrakhmanov
February - November 2021
Currently: North Caspian Oil Corporation (NCOC),
Nurlan Andrakhmanov's research topic was “Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of Uranium Bearing Formations in Chu- Sarysu Basin with focus on KATCO Parcels and with Implications to Reservoir Modeling and Recovery Methods”.
Ms. Madina Taubassova
Ms. Madina Taubassova
January 2022 - May 2022
Currently: KMG Engineering
Madina Taubassova worked on sedimentology of a Jurassic saline aquifer identified as a target for CO2 storage.
Ms. Nurgul Kosnazarova
Ms. Nurgul Kosnazarova
(SMET part-time member,
July 2020 - April 2021)
Currently: KMG Engineering
Ms. Alexia Proanec
Ms. Alexia Proanec
April 2022 - August 2022
Currently: Élève-ingénieure ENSEGID, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Ms. Alexia Proanec was a limited time (5 months) visiting student from France. She worked on sedimentology of Kanjougan and Uyuk formations. Alexia's research at SMET was co-supervised with Dr. Antoine Dillinger.
Mr. Zhaksylyk Kabashev
Mr. Zhaksylyk Kabashev
Feb - Dec, 2023
Currently: Senior student, NU
Zhaksylyk was an undergraduate research assistant at SMET and was studying Chemical and Materials Engineering with a unique minor in Geology at Nazarbayev University.
Ms. Ayana Karakozhayeva
Ms. Ayana Karakozhayeva
2020 - 2023
Currently: MSc Student at Nazarbayev University, SMG
Ayana was a junior Geology student who contributed to our studies on geothermal resources in Ili and Syrdarya sedimentary basins.
Mr. Gleb Smirnov
Mr. Gleb Smirnov
2020-2022
Currently: PhD Student at Nazarbayev University, SMG
Aidyn worked with SMET on several projects including the morphodynamics of Rio de la Plata, pyrolysis analysis, and investigation of the evidence of PETM on sedimentary records in Chu-Sarisu Basin (BSc capstone project).
Mr. Gleb Smirnov
Mr. Gleb Smirnov
2020-2021
Currently: MSc Student at Nazarbayev University, SMG
Gleb was an undergrad RA.
Mr. Ilyas Raimkulov
Mr. Ilyas Raimkulov
January 2023 - July 2023
Currently BSc student at NU.
Ilyas project was in Uranium deposits of Chu-Sarysu basin, where he is mostly responsible in collecting and interpretation of porosity/permeability/grain size measurements.
Ms. Ayana Karakozhayeva
Ms. Ayana Karakozhayeva
2021 - 2022
Currently: ???
Saltanat worked as a junior Geology student understanding the origin, transport, and deposition of sediments in the Chu-Sarysu basin.
Ms. Alin Serikova
Ms. Alin Serikova
May 2020 - August 2021
Currently: Geologist at TengizChevroil, Atyrau
Ms. Makhabbat Duisekova
Ms. Makhabbat Duisekova
(SMET part-time BSc student member, April 2021 - August 2021)
Makhabbat generated a high-quality polluter’s map in the ArcMap and supported senior researchers with technical documentation and translation of documents.
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