The Team
Aselle Tasmagambetova
Founder
Aselle founded the CSRRC in 2018 following an expedition that highlighted the devastating impact of pollution, climate change and urbanisation on the Caspian Seal population. Aselle recognised that in order to save the seal, more needed to be done to research and safeguard the seals and to encourage governments across the region to pass legislation to protect them.
Aselle coordinates the work of the Center, including the development of the scientific programmes, and is the lead representative and spokesperson.
Aselle has degrees in law and ecology and nature management. Her other charitable initiatives include the Saby Foundation, the principal activities of which include initiatives to promote health and physical development and improve access to education for children living in Kazakhstan.
She lives in Almaty with her husband and children.
Adylkhan Tovasarov
Executive Project Manager
Adylkhan is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Center, organising the annual expeditions, collecting and analysing samples. He is also integral to the drafting of legislative and regulatory recommendations.
Adylkhan has a Ph.D. in chemistry and has studied at the National Technical University of Kazakhstan and the International Academy of Ecology and Life Safety (MANEB) in St Petersburg, Russia.
Anella umbet
Veterinarian
Anella is the lead veterinarian at the Center with overall responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of seals. She is also key to researching and developing preventative measures to protect the seals from disease and injury.
Anella has a degree from the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University in Almaty.
Sharipa Bisariyeva
Head of Scientific Research
Sharipa is the head of scientific research and oversees the development of all research programmes at the Center.
She has a Ph.D. in biological sciences from the State University of Kazakhstan.
Asetulla Abdraimov
Laboratory Head
Asetulla is a specialist on chemical technology of organic substances. He oversees all work at the Center’s laboratory, including the analysis of samples taken from the seals during expeditions.
Asetulla has a degree from the Institute of Chemical Engineering and the National Technical University of Kazakhstan.
Nurlan Akynbaev
Lead Researcher
Nurlan is a process engineer and specialist in the chemical technology of organic substances. He specialises in in liquid and gas chromatography and is responsible for the chemical analysis of seal samples.
Nurlan has a degree from the Institute of Geology of Oil from the National Technical University of Kazakhstan.
ERKIN SEMBAEV
Lead Researcher
Erkin is a process engineer and specialist in the chemical technology of organic substances. He specialises in spectrometry and chromatography and is responsible for the chemical analysis of seal samples.
Erkin has a degree from the Institute of Geology of Oil from the National Technical University of Kazakhstan.
Aigerim Sarsenbekova
Researcher
Aigerim is a researcher in the Center’s laboratory. She specialises in the chemical technology of organic substances.
She has a Master’s from the Institute of Geology of Oil from the National Technical University of Kazakhstan.