Women in science: Aliya Mukanova on breaking stereotypes and building solutions

Aliya, what brought you into science?

Science has surrounded me since childhood: I helped my father, a physics teacher, who developed his theory of relativity and published a book. My brother is a physicist. I always dreamed of becoming a surgeon, but when the time came to choose a profession, the family council decided that I should study nuclear physics. So I entered Shakarim University in Semey, and I don't regret it! During my internship at the Institute of Atomic Energy in Kurchatov, I was lucky enough to work with wonderful scientists who inspired me to further research. At that time, I was studying the structural materials of nuclear installations to assess their safety.

Your first job was in nuclear technology. What are you currently focused on?

Yes, I worked in nuclear technology at Kurchatov, then delved into materials science and energy at Tomsk Polytechnic University. During my PhD at NU, I focused on electrochemical energy sources. My current focus is developing new materials for energy storage and transmission. We are researching thin-film materials for microbatteries and have begun work on second-generation ribbon superconductors. They allow instant energy transfer across the thinnest films, making systems more efficient. These films increase the proportion of active material in the electrode or cathode, reducing the weight of the battery and increasing its power.

What are you currently working on, and what problems will it solve?

Our projects cover a wide range of areas, and I supervise several of them. I am currently on a long-term research assignment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where I am developing all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries. In Kazakhstan, they are not studied at all, so I want to develop this area back at home. Unlike traditional batteries, these systems do not have a liquid electrolyte, which eliminates the risk of fire. I think many have seen videos of smartphones, laptops, or electric cars catching fire—with solid-state batteries, this simply cannot happen. In addition, Kazakhstan has significant reserves of sulfur, especially in the west of the country, which makes this topic not only scientifically significant but also potentially important from an economic and environmental point of view.

How would you rate the conditions for scientific work in Kazakhstan?

“Why don’t Kazakhstani scientists publish in Nature?” - I often hear this question. Working in the U.S., I realized that it’s not about talent but about conditions. Here, funding comes on time, and materials are delivered in two days. In Kazakhstan, it takes 2-3 months to get some chemicals—during this time, not only ideas change, but also the research directions themselves. In addition, we have two years for a scientific project, during which it is necessary not only to conduct research but also to publish dozens of articles, obtain patents, and publish monographs. In America, doctoral students work for four years and during this time write one or two articles—but for Nature. If we had the same conditions, we could compete on a global level.

Can you single out a scientific project that you are proud of?

I don’t know if this can be called pride, but I am happy with my publications, especially those related to my dissertation work. Under the supervision of Professor Zhumabay Bakenov, I developed a thin-film silicon anode for lithium-ion microbatteries, and a series of articles on it entered the topmost cited in the world in the field of nanotechnology according to Web of Science. But I think a rare scientist can answer this question unambiguously. We are always focused on current research, live with new ideas, and all our energy goes into what we do here and now.

You are a scientist and a mother. How do you manage to combine these roles?

It is not easy. Without the support of my husband, relatives, and mother-in-law, it would be difficult for me. Sometimes I work from home—I write articles and submit applications. I teach master's students at the Atyrau University of Oil and Gas and conduct meetings with colleagues at NU. The main thing is to set priorities. At home, I try to devote more time to my children, telling them about my research. They listen with interest, even offer their own solutions. Now we are in U.S., and for them this is an opportunity to see the world from a wider perspective. And my husband, who used to travel a lot, finally has more time for his family.

What are your plans for the near future?

Science is developing rapidly, and the level of demands is constantly growing. What seemed like a breakthrough 15 years ago is now perceived as a basic level. Modern publications are becoming more and more rich and valuable in terms of knowledge. In addition, the advent of artificial intelligence has significantly accelerated research. Therefore, my main principle is to keep up with the times, constantly develop, and pass on knowledge to the next generations of scientists.

What advice would you give to young scientists, especially girls?

Thinking outside the box and not being afraid of difficulties is what leads to real success. But, of course, you should not forget about yourself. We women are multitaskers by nature, so it is important to find time for rest, rebooting, and simple joys. Sometimes it is enough to just take a break, grab a cup of coffee, and move on with renewed strength.

Earlier, it was reported that Kazakhstan is set to increase the funding of domestic science 3.5fold.