NU Step to PhD: Vadim Yapiyev, PhD in Science, Engineering and Technology

Our next guest in the NU Step to PhD rubric is Vadim Yapiyev, a class of 2019 NU graduate, PhD in Science, Engineering and Technology.

After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Ecology at the Eurasian University, Vadim entered the Central European University in Budapest for a programme accredited by the University of Manchester. He completed a one-year Master’s degree, then returned to Kazakhstan and worked at Kazhydromet as a chemical engineer, and later in the oil and gas industry and chemical production in an international company. Since 2011, he has worked at Nazarbayev University as a laboratory manager, creating conditions for new science in Kazakhstan, as well as for research and  teaching. In 2012, he began research on the Borovoye lakes, having received funding for this project. This topic has become Vadim’s doctoral dissertation topic. He defended his thesis in 2019, becoming the second graduate of the STEM doctoral programme at Nazarbayev University. Vadim is now on sabbatical after two years of postdoctoral studies at the University of Reading.

Vadim, please tell us about your research?

My dissertation was about the hydrology of the Borovoye lakes. In the early stages of research, I assumed that evaporation was the main uncertain component of water balance and focused my research on it. Having determined the dimension of evaporation from the surface of the lakes, we were able to reconstruct the water balance. For this, I have researched and applied various methods: remote sensing, stable isotopes of water, hydrometeorological observations, micrometeorology, climatology, geographic information systems. I am engaged in transdisciplinary environmental research. Everything is determined by scientific research questions. I consider myself an ecologist, but for each specific study I switch to being a hydrologist or hydrometeorologist, or a hydrochemist. I am also engaged in soil research and environmental chemistry. Broadly speaking, my specialization is Geosciences. If we talk about a narrow specialization, these are Critical Zone Science and Land surface processes. These interdisciplinary areas  study processes on the Earth’s surface, including vegetation, water bodies, soil, and groundwater. This is important for improving climatic, hydrological and biogeochemical models, as well as understanding complex phenomena such as heatwaves.

My research into hydrological processes in Burabay allowed me to start building a hydrological model in 2019. We have good results, but the work is still underway. The calibrated model will allow us to make a reliable forecast of changes in the volume of water in the lakes in the future. This is not a trivial task – there are practically no hydrological models that would model the volumes of the lakes. In addition, we have plans for scaling the model for all Kazakhstani water basins. 

Tell us about the projects you are currently working on?

I am currently on my sabbatical after completing two years of postdoctoral studies in the UK. In January 2019, just before my dissertation, I applied for a postdoctoral position at the University of Reading. I passed a fairly challenging competition, which I didn’t expect.  I think I got the offer due to a number of factors: I knew the region, I worked with isotopes and environmental chemistry, I had experience in conducting laboratory and field research, and also I published several articles in international peer-reviewed journals. In general, my profile almost perfectly matched the tasks of the project. In addition, the professors knew me personally. The project I have been working on was the study of the impact of climate change on the quality of water resources in Central Asia. It covered Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. 

The project focused on Central Asian basins that are covered with glaciers. These are the upper reaches of the Ili in Kazakhstan (the Ulken and Kishi rivers Almaty, Kaskelen), the Ala-Archa river in Kyrgyzstan (the Chu river basin), as well as the Chon-Kyzyl-Su river in the Issyk-Kul lake basin, the Chirchik river in Uzbekistan (the upper reaches of the Syr-Darya), Varzob and Kafirnigan rivers (Amu-Darya basin). We assessed the quantity and quality of water sources. In each country, local teams worked in the basins to collect water samples from the basins and to analyze them for nitrates and phosphates. By the way, in our team in Reading, a doctoral student from Kazakhstan is working on this project, who focuses on the use of stable isotopes of water. This method allows us to determine where the water comes from: from seasonal snow, ground or glacial waters, or rainfall. My task in the project was hydrochemistry and water quality. We can say that after my doctoral studies, I went back to basics, as I initially specialized in environmental chemistry. I trained and coordinated research teams, monitored the quality of measurements, collected data for modeling, and also built hydrological models. During the two years of postdoctoral studies, I have greatly improved my knowledge and skills, especially in hydrological moderation and glaciology.

What are your plans for the future?

I want to become an independent researcher with my own projects and laboratory. I am currently working on articles from my postdoctoral project, I am also engaged in some other unfinished works, and I participate in public activities. This year I realized that there is a demand for experts in my field in this country. I am often invited to educational and civic initiatives, I am a frequent guest in different media engagements. Now, I am planning an independent scientific project in Kazakhstan.

What would you advise future doctoral students?

First and foremost, you have to understand: “Why do I need this?” If you are really motivated, then you can reach the end goal. Good research starts with the right questions! You have to ask yourself: “What is my research question?”.

Now, it is okay to feel stupid. No one knows everything.

Also, learn to write computer code and learn Data Science from day one! It is an essential skill in research, and it will definitely come in handy  in your post-doctoral studies. Soon, everyone will know how to code!

The choice of a supervisor is the most important decision in doctoral studies. An ideal leader is someone who will create conditions for you to grow and develop. It’s good if you also have a mentor. A mentor is a role model.

 I would compare doctoral studies with preparation for a marathon. It seems impossibly difficult to run such a long distance. In the end, you must learn to run marathons all the time. Only the one who has walked the entire distance to the end will understand what this means and what you are capable of. And at the end of the distance, you must continue to move despite pain, fatigue, lack of motivation and everything that comes with it.

The main thing to remember: since you were chosen for the programme, it means that you are already good enough (smart, capable) to complete the programme and get that prefix to your name.

The article used materials from an interview with Vlast.kz.