At Nazarbayev University's School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (SEDS), students aren’t just studying—they’re making history. Merey Sembay, a fourth-year undergraduate in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program, has had two research papers accepted in prestigious Q1 journals, one of which ranks in the top 10% globally with an impact factor of 13.
But that’s not all—Merey is the third student from Professor Gulnur Kalimuldina’s lab to pursue a direct PhD after undergraduate studies. "Our lab takes pride in nurturing students who dare to dream big, and Merey is no exception," said Professor Kalimuldina. "She is working on her third paper and applying for direct PhD programs abroad. I hope she will succeed."
Merey’s research focuses on triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators, driven by her passion for sustainable energy and wearable technology. These fields align with global trends in clean energy and innovative tech solutions. Reflecting on her journey, Merey shared:
“I believe every student in higher education dreams of making a difference in the world, and I’m no exception. My curiosity about solving real-world problems through engineering drove me toward research as a way to turn that curiosity into action. I joined the Micro and Nano Engineering Lab at NU, where I was introduced to triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators. Their potential to enable sustainable energy solutions and serve self-powering sensors caught my interest. To deepen my understanding, I reviewed literature in the field, which culminated in co-authoring a review paper titled 'Advances in Porous Structure Design for Enhanced Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Nanogenerators: A Comprehensive Review,' published in Global Challenges. You can view this publication by clicking this link. The paper highlights recent advancements in nanogenerators, focusing on how porous structures improve output performance. Inspired by these papers, together with Dr. Shabnam Yavari, I worked on recycling PVC pipe waste into high-output triboelectric nanogenerators through the electrospinning method, a process detailed in a paper that will be available online soon.”
Balancing academic excellence and research, Merey credits her success to meticulous planning and the support of SEDS faculty.
“Planning and prioritizing are essential,” she explained. “I keep separate notebooks for coursework, research, and personal tasks. Having open communication with my mentors has been a lifesaver when things felt overwhelming.”
Merey’s advice to aspiring students?
“Start early and take initiative—opportunities rarely come to those who wait. Focus on developing essential skills like critical thinking, academic writing, and problem-solving. Equally important is finding a mentor who can guide you; I was fortunate to work with Professor Gulnur Kalimuldina, whose support and high standards shaped my approach to research. Publishing in high-impact journals demands persistence, attention to detail, and a genuine interest in your topic. Choose a subject you are passionate about and commit to producing high-quality work. In addition to research, actively participate in conferences and forums. These events not only provide a platform to present your findings but also offer invaluable opportunities to connect with experts, exchange ideas, and receive feedback that can significantly improve your work. My experience attending such events helped refine my research and broaden my perspective, making them a key part of my academic growth.”
The resources and opportunities at SEDS have been instrumental in Merey’s achievements.
“SEDS provided access to fully equipped labs, incredible mentors, and international experiences at forums in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai,” she said. “Conferences like INESS and NUARC also played a vital role in refining my ideas and understanding the global scope of engineering challenges. Winning the Best Poster Award at INESS was a proud moment that demonstrated the importance of preparing high-quality visuals and clear presentations.”
“These experiences not only improved my technical skills but also taught me how to effectively communicate research, which was instrumental in publishing papers in top-tier journals.”
Regarding her experience in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program at SEDS and how it prepared her for success in research and future academic goals, she said:
“The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program at SEDS provided me with a solid foundation in both theory and practical application. The coursework taught me how to approach complex problems systematically, while the projects helped me apply what I learned to real-world challenges. The program also encouraged interdisciplinary thinking, which broadened my perspective and helped me connect ideas across different fields. These experiences played a crucial role in shaping my research mindset and prepared me for publishing in high-impact journals and pursuing advanced academic goals.”
Merey’s success highlights the transformative opportunities at SEDS, where students are empowered to innovate, lead, and make a real impact in their fields—an ideal place for those who want to shape the future.
But that’s not all—Merey is the third student from Professor Gulnur Kalimuldina’s lab to pursue a direct PhD after undergraduate studies. "Our lab takes pride in nurturing students who dare to dream big, and Merey is no exception," said Professor Kalimuldina. "She is working on her third paper and applying for direct PhD programs abroad. I hope she will succeed."
Merey’s research focuses on triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators, driven by her passion for sustainable energy and wearable technology. These fields align with global trends in clean energy and innovative tech solutions. Reflecting on her journey, Merey shared:
“I believe every student in higher education dreams of making a difference in the world, and I’m no exception. My curiosity about solving real-world problems through engineering drove me toward research as a way to turn that curiosity into action. I joined the Micro and Nano Engineering Lab at NU, where I was introduced to triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators. Their potential to enable sustainable energy solutions and serve self-powering sensors caught my interest. To deepen my understanding, I reviewed literature in the field, which culminated in co-authoring a review paper titled 'Advances in Porous Structure Design for Enhanced Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Nanogenerators: A Comprehensive Review,' published in Global Challenges. You can view this publication by clicking this link. The paper highlights recent advancements in nanogenerators, focusing on how porous structures improve output performance. Inspired by these papers, together with Dr. Shabnam Yavari, I worked on recycling PVC pipe waste into high-output triboelectric nanogenerators through the electrospinning method, a process detailed in a paper that will be available online soon.”
Balancing academic excellence and research, Merey credits her success to meticulous planning and the support of SEDS faculty.
“Planning and prioritizing are essential,” she explained. “I keep separate notebooks for coursework, research, and personal tasks. Having open communication with my mentors has been a lifesaver when things felt overwhelming.”
Merey’s advice to aspiring students?
“Start early and take initiative—opportunities rarely come to those who wait. Focus on developing essential skills like critical thinking, academic writing, and problem-solving. Equally important is finding a mentor who can guide you; I was fortunate to work with Professor Gulnur Kalimuldina, whose support and high standards shaped my approach to research. Publishing in high-impact journals demands persistence, attention to detail, and a genuine interest in your topic. Choose a subject you are passionate about and commit to producing high-quality work. In addition to research, actively participate in conferences and forums. These events not only provide a platform to present your findings but also offer invaluable opportunities to connect with experts, exchange ideas, and receive feedback that can significantly improve your work. My experience attending such events helped refine my research and broaden my perspective, making them a key part of my academic growth.”
The resources and opportunities at SEDS have been instrumental in Merey’s achievements.
“SEDS provided access to fully equipped labs, incredible mentors, and international experiences at forums in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai,” she said. “Conferences like INESS and NUARC also played a vital role in refining my ideas and understanding the global scope of engineering challenges. Winning the Best Poster Award at INESS was a proud moment that demonstrated the importance of preparing high-quality visuals and clear presentations.”
“These experiences not only improved my technical skills but also taught me how to effectively communicate research, which was instrumental in publishing papers in top-tier journals.”
Regarding her experience in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program at SEDS and how it prepared her for success in research and future academic goals, she said:
“The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program at SEDS provided me with a solid foundation in both theory and practical application. The coursework taught me how to approach complex problems systematically, while the projects helped me apply what I learned to real-world challenges. The program also encouraged interdisciplinary thinking, which broadened my perspective and helped me connect ideas across different fields. These experiences played a crucial role in shaping my research mindset and prepared me for publishing in high-impact journals and pursuing advanced academic goals.”
Merey’s success highlights the transformative opportunities at SEDS, where students are empowered to innovate, lead, and make a real impact in their fields—an ideal place for those who want to shape the future.