KazNU Scholar at Tsinghua

Alan Aimagambetov, a fourth-year Biological Engineering student at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), has completed an eight-week research placement at Tsinghua University in Beijing, ranked 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Selected for the international Amgen Scholars Programme, he conducted research on liver fibrosis and presented his findings at the programme’s regional symposium in Tokyo.

Supported by the Amgen Foundation, the Amgen Scholars Programme provides undergraduate students with opportunities to gain research experience at leading universities and explore careers in science and biotechnology. Alan’s placement included funding for travel, accommodation and a stipend, allowing him to focus on his scientific work.

During his time at Tsinghua University, Alan worked under the supervision of Dr Wang Xia on a project investigating the development of liver fibrosis. Working in an international laboratory environment, he gained practical experience with advanced research equipment and deepened his understanding of biomedical research.

The placement culminated in a poster presentation at the 2026 Amgen Scholars Asia Symposium, held at the University of Tokyo from 4 to 6 August. The three-day event brought together scholars from Tsinghua University, the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, the National University of Singapore, the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad and the University of Melbourne. Participants presented their findings, exchanged ideas and discussed their work with fellow scholars and established scientists.

Beyond the laboratory, Alan took part in scientific seminars examining the relationship between academic research and the biotechnology industry. Together with fellow Tsinghua scholars, he visited Amgen’s Shanghai office and participated in scientific discussions in Shanghai on the future of pharmaceuticals and the applications of artificial intelligence in biomedicine.

He also attended a seminar with participants in the HIKE Capital programme, where discussions focused on the commercialisation of scientific research. This provided an opportunity to consider how laboratory discoveries can be translated into practical applications.

Alan’s experience combined hands-on research, international academic exchange and exposure to industry perspectives. For a student preparing to pursue a career in biological engineering, the programme offered a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with research practice and present his work to an international scientific audience.