“Visiting Professor” Program
The “Visiting Professor” program is designed to expand academic and research collaboration between the university and the international community. We invite leading international professors and researchers to deliver lectures, conduct seminars, provide consultations, and engage in joint projects with our students and faculty.
Purpose:
ROBERT GRAHAM CUMMING
Emeritus Professor (Epidemiology), School of Public Health, University of Sydney. Emeritus Professor, Centre for Healthy Ageing, University of New South Wales.
ERDOGAN ILKAY ORHAN
Professor of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University (Ankara, Turkey), a scientist of world recognition.
MAYA JUGASHVILI
Radiation oncologist. Since 2009 has been working at GenesisCare in Murcia (Spain).
SAMIR ANIS ROSS
Research Professor at NCNPR and Professor of the Department of Biomolecular Sciences.
MARIO MARZILLI
Italian cardiologist. Born on 20 August 1947.
HAFIZ T.A. KHAN
British Professor in the field of public health and statistics. Resides in the United Kingdom.
GISELE SARGANAS
Highly qualified doctor in the field of epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology, working at the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin.
LORENA DINI
Outstanding expert in the field of healthcare and health systems, heading the WG HPSRI Working Group at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
WALDEMAR EDWARD WYSOKINSKI
Outstanding specialist in the field of cardiology, vascular medicine and hemostasis, Mayo Clinic (USA).
Assoc. Prof. Jindra Valentová, PhD
Doctor in the field of pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, Comenius University (Bratislava).
ZHOVNIR VLADIMIR APOLLINARIEVICH
Honoured Doctor of Ukraine, Doctor of Medical Sciences, President of 12 Ukrainian Forums of Paediatric Anaesthesiologists.
JURGA BERNATONIENE
Professor, Head of the Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU).
LINAS VELICKA
Associate Professor, vascular surgeon, Head of the Department of Vascular Surgery of LSMU Hospital “Kauno Klinikos”.
PROFESSOR TATSUO SHIMOSAWA
Physician and scientist in the field of internal medicine, endocrinology and laboratory diagnostics (Japan).
AGNIESZKA LUDWICZUK
Specialist in the field of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, Associate Professor of the Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Lublin (Poland).
YASIN YASA
Associate Professor of the Faculty of Dentistry, Ordu University (Turkey), specialist in the field of dental radiology.
PROFESSOR PAVEL MUČAJI
Leading specialist in the field of pharmacognosy, Professor at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.
PROFESSOR WALDEMAR WOJCIK
Engineer, scientist and lecturer in the field of telecommunications, automation and measurement technology.
PROFESSOR FAHER KARIM RAHIM
PhD in Molecular Medicine (Clinical Bioinformatics), Director of the Research Centre of Cihan University.
PROF. DR. MEHMET ÖZTÜRK
Professor of Chemistry at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (Turkey).
PROF. D.M.Sc. ABDURASHID RAKHIMOVICH OBLOKULOV
Head of the Department of Infectious and Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Bukhara State Medical Institute (Uzbekistan).
PROF. D.M.Sc. REGINA FARITOVNA NASYROVA
Head of the Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology”.
PROF. DR. MELAHAT ATASEVER
Leading specialist in the field of obstetrics, gynaecology, gynaecological oncology and reproductive medicine.
PROF. DR. FARSHAD H. SHIRAZI
Internationally recognized expert in the field of pharmacology, toxicology and medical ethics.
PROFESSOR HAKAN ERDEM
M.D. — Turkish specialist in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology with more than 30 years of experience.
PROFESSOR PLINIO CIRILLO
M.D., Ph.D. — Italian cardiologist and expert in interventional and structural cardiology with more than 25 years of clinical and scientific experience.
PROFESSOR OKAN AKHAN
M.D. — Leading Turkish radiologist and expert in non-vascular interventional and abdominal radiology.
PROFESSOR DEBORAH R. GUSTAFSON
M.S., Ph.D. — American neuroepidemiologist and expert in the field of dementia, Professor of Neurology at SUNY Downstate (New York).
PROFESSOR DARIONO HADI TJAHJONO
M.Sc., Ph.D., Apt. — Indonesian pharmacochemist and expert in the field of virtual drug design and radiopharmaceuticals.
PROFESSOR FABIO BOYLAN
M.Pharm., Ph.D. — Brazilian-Irish expert in pharmacognosy and natural products at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland).
PROFESSOR FERNANDO SCAGLIA
M.D. – pediatrician, clinical geneticist, and expert in inherited metabolic and mitochondrial disorders (United States).
Professor in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. He leads pediatric and adult mitochondrial medicine programs and participates in international natural– history studies of rare diseases and clinical trials of new therapies. His research interests include MELAS syndrome, congenital disorders of glycosylation, metabolomics, and the search for biomarkers of mitochondrial diseases. Scientific achievements: author of more than 280 publications, with an h– index of 63.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Fernando Scaglia delivered a series of lectures on inherited metabolic disorders for KazNMU students, master’s students, and doctoral students.
DINARA SAMARKANOVA
Ph.D. – clinical researcher in transfusion medicine, cell therapy, and biomedical research.
She works at the Blood and Tissue Bank in Barcelona and is affiliated with the Vall d’Hebron research environment. Her professional interests include the quality and safety of blood components, the development of cell– based products, and the translation of laboratory findings into clinical practice. She combines research with participation in interdisciplinary projects in immunology and regenerative medicine.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Dinara Samarkanova delivered a series of lectures and practical sessions on transfusion medicine, cell therapy, and blood– component safety for KazNMU students and faculty.
PROFESSOR DEJAN NIKOLIĆ
M.D., Ph.D. –physician and faculty member at the University of Belgrade, specializing in physical and rehabilitation medicine (Serbia).
His professional work focuses on rehabilitation treatment for children and adults, assessment of patients’ functional status, and interdisciplinary approaches to rehabilitation. In his research and teaching, he emphasizes evidence– based rehabilitation methods, disability prevention, and improvement of healthcare quality.
As part of the Visiting Professor Program, Dejan Nikolić of Serbia conducted scientific and educational activities at KazNMU on current international approaches, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation in rehabilitation care.
MARTA BIŽIĆ
Ph.D. – researcher and member of the academic community at the University of Belgrade.
Her professional work encompasses scientific research, university education, and interdisciplinary collaboration in public health. Within international cooperation, particular importance is placed on exchanging research approaches, developing academic competencies, and preparing joint educational initiatives.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Marta Bižić delivered lectures and research seminars on public health, interdisciplinary research, and the development of academic competencies for KazNMU students and faculty.
PROFESSOR SOFYA KHOSTELIDI
Doctor of Medical Sciences –medical mycologist and specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal infections.
She represents the North– Western State Medical University named after I. I. Mechnikov. Her scientific and clinical work focuses on medical mycology, laboratory diagnosis of mycoses, antifungal therapy, and pathogen resistance. She contributes to physician training and interdisciplinary collaboration between microbiologists and clinicians.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Sofya Khostelidi delivered lectures and practical sessions on the diagnosis and treatment of invasive mycoses for KazNMU students and faculty. These activities supported academic exchange and contributed to Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 17.
PROFESSOR TALANTBEK SOORONBAEV
Doctor of Medical Sciences – pulmonologist and expert in respiratory medicine and the organization of specialized care.
Chief Pulmonologist of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic and one of the leading specialists at the National Center of Cardiology and Internal Medicine named after Academician M. Mirrakhimov. He leads a respiratory– medicine research cluster. His professional interests include chronic respiratory diseases, bronchial asthma, COPD, rehabilitation, and the improvement of pulmonology services.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Talantbek Sooronbaev delivered a series of lectures and clinical seminars on the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with bronchial asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases.
PROFESSOR ANNA MALM
Ph.D. – microbiologist and professor of pharmaceutical sciences (Poland).
Professor at the Medical University of Lublin and specialist in pharmaceutical and diagnostic microbiology. Her research addresses microbial physiology, the antimicrobial activity of medicinal substances, antimicrobial resistance, and microbiological quality control of pharmaceutical products. She has extensive experience supervising research and training pharmaceutical specialists.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Anna Malm delivered lectures and research seminars on pharmaceutical microbiology, antimicrobial activity, and microbial resistance for KazNMU students and faculty.
MUKHIT KULMAGANBETOV
M.D., Ph.D. – Kazakhstani scientist and ophthalmologist working at the intersection of medicine, artificial intelligence, optics, and quantum technologies (Hong Kong).
A KazNMU alumnus, he trained in ophthalmology and earned his Ph.D. at Cardiff University. He develops technologies for the early detection of glaucoma and macular degeneration using optical coherence tomography, machine learning, and structured light. He participates in international research and innovation projects in Hong Kong and Canada.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Mukhit Kulmaganbetov delivered lectures and research seminars on the early diagnosis of glaucoma and macular degeneration using optical coherence tomography and artificial intelligence.
PROFESSOR KENJI SUGIBAYASHI
Ph.D. – pharmaceutical scientist, professor at Josai University, and expert in pharmaceutical technology, Japan.
He is known for research on transdermal drug delivery, skin permeability, pharmacokinetics, and the development of modern dosage forms. His scientific work supports the creation of effective and safe delivery systems for active substances, while his teaching advances pharmaceutical education and the training of young researchers. He actively collaborates with the KazNMU School of Pharmacy as a scientific adviser and co– author of studies on transdermal drug delivery and speaks at the University’s international conferences, sharing Japan’s advanced experience in innovative dosage– form development.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Kenji Sugibayashi delivered a series of lectures on pharmaceutical technology and the development of transdermal drug– delivery systems for KazNMU students and faculty.
PROFESSOR RICARDO GUIJARRO JORGE
M.D., Ph.D. – thoracic surgeon and expert in oncologic, robotic, and endoscopic surgery of the chest (Spain).
Professor of Surgery at the University of Valencia and Head of Thoracic Surgery at the University Hospital of Valencia. He leads the chair in advanced robotic and endoscopic surgery. He has authored more than 160 indexed publications and participated in over one hundred research projects. His principal fields include lung– cancer surgery, tracheal reconstruction, and minimally invasive technologies.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Ricardo Guijarro Jorge delivered lectures and clinical seminars on robotic, endoscopic, and minimally invasive thoracic surgery for KazNMU students and specialists.
PROFESSOR MIKHAIL FAVOROV
M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc. – physician– epidemiologist and international expert in infectious diseases, immunization, and public health (United States).
Founder and President of DiaPrep System Inc. He has more than 40 years of experience studying viral hepatitis, HIV infection, tuberculosis, and vaccine– preventable diseases. He worked in CDC programs in Central Asia and at the International Vaccine Institute and helped implement epidemiological surveillance, laboratory control, and applied epidemiology training. He is the author of more than 100 publications and patents.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, he delivered a series of lectures and workshops for students, researchers, and faculty on the use of artificial intelligence in twenty– first– century public health, methods for investigating infectious– disease outbreaks in Central Asia, and international experience in immunization.
MAYA DZHUGASHVILI
M.D., Ph.D. – radiation oncologist and researcher in clinical oncology (Spain).
She has experience in European oncology institutions and has collaborated with GenesisCare since 2008. She specializes in the treatment of breast cancer and gastrointestinal tumors and uses modern VMAT, IGRT, IMRT, and stereotactic radiotherapy techniques. She has completed additional training in oncology clinical research, advanced radiotherapy technologies, hematology, and clinical oncology.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Maya Dzhugashvili delivered lectures and clinical seminars on modern radiotherapy methods and high– precision radiation technologies in oncology.
ASKAR CHUKMAITOV
M.D., Ph.D. –researcher and educator in health policy, management, and quality of care (United States).
He represents Virginia Commonwealth University. His research interests include healthcare organization, health– system performance, service quality and safety, comparative analysis of reforms, and management training. A substantial part of his professional work involves educational and research projects for Central Asian countries.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Askar Chukmaitov delivered lectures and expert seminars on health policy, management, quality, and patient safety for KazNMU students and faculty.
PROFESSOR DARYONO HADI TJAHJONO
Ph.D. –pharmaceutical scientist and professor of pharmacochemistry at the School of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesia).
He completed his master’s and doctoral studies at Keio University in Japan. He specializes in medicinal chemistry, molecular modeling, radiopharmacy, and physicochemical analytical methods. He investigates porphyrin and chlorophyll compounds as potential photosensitizers and anticancer agents and develops analytical methods for medicines, cosmetics, and food products.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Daryono Hadi Tjahjono delivered lectures and research seminars on medicinal chemistry, molecular modeling, and modern methods of pharmaceutical analysis.
PROFESSOR PLINIO CIRILLO
M.D., Ph.D. – cardiologist and expert in interventional and structural cardiology with more than 25 years of clinical and research experience (Italy).
Professor at the University of Naples Federico II. He specializes in acute coronary syndrome, valvular heart disease, and antithrombotic therapy. He has authored more than 260 scientific publications and actively participates in international research, clinical trials, and educational initiatives. He is one of Europe’s experts in dual antiplatelet therapy and thromboembolic complications of atrial fibrillation.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Plinio Cirillo delivered lectures and clinical seminars on interventional cardiology, acute coronary syndrome, and antithrombotic therapy.
PROFESSOR EVGENY FURMAN
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences – pediatrician, pulmonologist, and allergist (Russia).
Vice – Rector for Research at Academician E. A. Wagner Perm State Medical University and Head of the Department of Faculty and Hospital Pediatrics. His principal research interests include childhood bronchial asthma, pediatric pulmonology and allergology, minimally invasive diagnostic technologies, and monitoring of respiratory diseases. He has extensive experience in research supervision and the implementation of findings in pediatric practice.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Evgeny Furman delivered lectures and clinical seminars on pediatric pulmonology, allergology, and the management of children with bronchial asthma.
PROFESSOR ANNABEL VALLEDOR FERNÁNDEZ
Ph.D. – immunologist and researcher at the University of Barcelona (Spain).
Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity, inflammation, and macrophage activation. She studies cellular signaling pathways and immune– response regulation relevant to infectious, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases. She contributes to the training of young scientists and international biomedical projects.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Annabel Valledor Fernández delivered lectures and research seminars on the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity, inflammation, and macrophage activation.
JUAN JOSÉ MONTOYA MIÑANO
Ph.D. – lecturer and researcher at Complutense University of Madrid (Spain).
His professional work focuses on nutrition, physical activity, prevention of chronic diseases, and healthy lifestyles. In teaching and research, he emphasizes evidence– based approaches to nutritional– status assessment and health promotion among different population groups.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Juan José Montoya Miñano delivered lectures and practical sessions on nutrition, physical activity, nutritional– status assessment, and chronic– disease prevention.
PROFESSOR NICK FINER
M.D. – endocrinologist and international expert in obesity, metabolic disease, and Prader– Willi syndrome, (United Kingdom).
Former Honorary Professor of Clinical Medicine at University College London. For more than three decades, he developed multidisciplinary obesity services at leading UK hospitals and served as Senior Principal Clinical Scientist at Novo Nordisk. He has authored approximately 200 peer– reviewed publications and more than 23 book chapters. Since 2025, he has served as President and Chair of the International Prader– Willi Syndrome Organisation.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Nick Finer delivered lectures and expert seminars on comprehensive management of obesity, metabolic diseases, and Prader– Willi syndrome.
MANSUR KUTLUBAEV
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor – neurologist and Head of the Department of Neurology at Bashkir State Medical University (Russia).
He specializes in cerebrovascular diseases, cognitive and behavioral disorders, and vestibular– system pathology. He is the author of more than 130 publications, chapters in collective monographs, and patents. He is a member of the All– Russian Society of Neurologists, the European Academy of Neurology, and Cochrane and serves as Chief Neurologist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Mansur Kutlubaev delivered lectures and clinical seminars on cerebrovascular diseases and cognitive, behavioral, and vestibular disorders.
PROFESSOR SERIK MEIRMANOV
M.D., Ph.D. – professor at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan and specialist in public health and medical education.
His academic work combines medicine, global health, disease prevention, and healthcare management. He participates in international educational programs and interdisciplinary research, with an emphasis on preparing professionals to work across different health systems and cultural contexts.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Serik Meirmanov delivered lectures and seminars on global health, disease prevention, and medical education in a cross– cultural environment.
ALI ZAKIR SYED
B.D.S., M.S. – oral and maxillofacial radiologist and expert in craniofacial imaging and artificial intelligence in dentistry (United States).
Associate Professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Director of the Admissions Clinic, and Special Adviser to the Dean for Craniofacial Imaging and AI. He specializes in interpreting two– dimensional studies and cone– beam computed tomography. He holds master’s–level training in healthcare management and oral and maxillofacial radiology.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Ali Zakir Syed delivered lectures and practical sessions on craniofacial imaging, cone– beam computed tomography, and the use of artificial intelligence in dentistry.
ACADEMICIAN GALINA MELNICHENKO
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences – one of Russia’s leading specialists in endocrinology (Russia).
She works at the National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology named after Academician I. I. Dedov. Her scientific and clinical interests include thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal disorders; neuroendocrine conditions; rare endocrine diseases; and improvement of clinical guidelines. She has extensive experience training physicians and researchers and developing specialized endocrinology care.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Galina Melnichenko delivered lectures and clinical seminars on modern diagnosis and treatment of thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal disorders and rare endocrine diseases.
PROFESSOR WOLFRAM DOEHNER
M.D., Ph.D. – cardiologist and specialist in internal medicine, nutrition, and interdisciplinary stroke research (Germany).
Professor at the Center for Stroke Research, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
He combines cardiology expertise with acute stroke treatment and rehabilitation. He studies heart– brain interactions, metabolic disorders, sarcopenia, and cachexia in chronic disease. He coordinates European research initiatives on heart failure and stroke and participates in clinical studies of metabolic interventions.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Wolfram Doehner delivered lectures and scientific– clinical seminars on heart– brain interactions, stroke treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular disease.
PROFESSOR HAFIZ TAREK ABDULLA KHAN
Ph.D. – demographer and public– health researcher specializing in population ageing and social policy (United States).
He is affiliated with the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. His research addresses demographic change, the health and well– being of older people, inequality, long– term care, and the impact of population ageing on health systems. He actively participates in international comparative research and the training of health– policy and healthcare– management professionals.
As part of the KazNMU Visiting Professor Program, Hafiz Tarek Abdulla Khan delivered lectures and research seminars on population ageing, older people’s health, inequality, and the development of long– term care systems.
Requirements for Visiting Professors
- 1
A Hirsch index of 10 or higher based on Scopus or Web of Science;
- 2
Academic degree: Doctor of Science, Candidate of Science, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), professor/associate professor, or an expert in the field of education and clinical medicine;
- 3
Relevant work experience;
- 4
Priority is given to inviting visiting professors who meet the following criteria: serving as a scientific advisor to doctoral candidates; leading or participating in active research projects or grants; and being affiliated with a university ranked in the top 700 of the QS WUR, ARWU, or THE rankings.
- 5
Foreign specialists must: have experience preparing publications for journals indexed in the Scopus and/or Web of Science databases. ensure the publication of at least one co-authored article indexed in the Scopus or Web of Science databases with faculty members or researchers from KazNMU during their tenure or within one year after its completion, or ensure the implementation of new technologies in the educational or clinical process.
- 1
A Hirsch index based on Scopus or Web of Science is preferred;
- 2
Possession of an academic degree (Doctor of Sciences, Candidate of Sciences, or PhD) or an academic rank (Professor, Associate Professor, or equivalent), or status as an expert in the field of clinical medicine;
- 3
Proficiency in new, innovative diagnostic and treatment methods, including high-tech treatment methods;
- 4
At least 10 years of practical experience in a specialized field;
- 5
Implementation of innovations in clinical practice (preferably supported by implementation certificates and patents);
- 6
Publications on the proposed methodology or reports on the results of one’s research in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
