Kazakhstan

KazakhstanBiologist

Nagima Aitkhozhina

Nagima Aitkhozhina was a Kazakh biologist who specialized in molecular biology. She made significant contributions to the study of the structural and functional organization of genomes and the molecular mechanisms of gene expression regulation. Aitkhozhina’s dedication to scientific research and leadership in academic institutions have left a lasting impact on the field of molecular biology.

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KazakhstanComputer Scientist

Alexandra Elbakyan

Alexandra Elbakyan, born in 1988 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is a Kazakhstani computer programmer and the creator of the website Sci-Hub. She gained recognition for providing free access to research papers without regard for copyright, and has been celebrated for her efforts to make scholarly literature accessible to all.

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KazakhstanActivist

Bakhytzhan Toregozhina

Bakhytzhan Toregozhina is a Kazakhstani human rights activist who has dedicated over two decades of her life to campaigning against the violations of fundamental rights in Kazakhstan. Throughout her career, Toregozhina has been a leading voice speaking out on behalf of victims of torture, abuse, and politicized repression.

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KazakhstanWeight Lifting

Zulfiya Chinshanlo

Zulfiya Salakharqyzy Chinshanlo, a Kazakhstani weightlifter, rose to fame during the 2012 London Olympics when she set a world record in the clean and jerk. Despite facing challenges and controversies, Chinshanlo continued to excel in her athletic career, becoming the first Kazakhstani weightlifter to win a gold medal at the World Championships. Her dedication and perseverance serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes. In 2021, she represented Kazakhstan again at the Tokyo Olympics and won the bronze medal, solidifying her legacy as an accomplished weightlifter.

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KazakhstanWeight Lifting

Maiya Maneza

Maiya Salakharqyzy Maneza, a Kazakhstani weightlifter, achieved great success in her career before being stripped of her Olympic gold medal due to a failed drug test. Maneza’s talent and dedication to the sport inspired many, despite the controversy surrounding her nationality. She remains a trailblazer in women’s weightlifting, leaving a lasting impact on the sport’s history.

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