Under Dr. Zakariya’s leadership, Kazakhstan developed its first COVID-19 vaccine, QazVac, along with the technology for producing the QazCovid-in vaccine. She has spearheaded over 200 scientific projects and led international initiatives in diagnostics and preventive healthcare. A distinguished scientist, she has authored more than 230 scientific publications, eight methodological manuals, five monographs, and 32 patents, including two international patents. Her expertise lies in biosafety and biotechnology, and she serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Biosafety and Biotechnology Journal, fostering scientific exchange and strengthening the research community in Kazakhstan.

During the visit, Astana Hub CEO Magzhan Madiyev introduced Dr. Zakariya to the tech park ecosystem and several innovative startups, including:

• Arlan Biotech: A cutting-edge AI-driven technology for nanobody generation and production, offering unparalleled speed and efficiency.
• WeGlobal.ai: An AI-powered SaaS platform providing comprehensive, personalized career guidance and university admissions support.
• Beksar: A business solution aimed at automating processes for small and medium-sized enterprises to boost efficiency and reduce costs.
• TrustMe: An online service that simplifies document signing via SMS while automating company workflows.

The visit underscored Kazakhstan’s commitment to advancing scientific and technological innovation as a cornerstone of sustainable development and international leadership in these fields.