I was born in Chechnya but grew up in Samara, where my family relocated during the Chechen wars. After finishing school, we moved back to Chechnya, which gave me a valuable opportunity to reconnect with my cultural roots and heritage. I completed my undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Applied Informatics at Chechen State University, which became an important period of exploration for me.

During my university years, I was actively involved in various student activities while experimenting with different professional fields — trying everything from Android development to 3D modeling and animation. This exploration wasn't just about finding my career path but also about gaining diverse experiences and connecting with interesting people. A significant turning point came when I won a grant in the "UMNIK" program, which allowed me to develop my own IT project. This experience helped me discover my passion for research and science — the field where I'm now building my career.

I've been drawn to engineering since childhood, starting with simple Lego kits and progressing to Arduino IoT projects during my early university years. There's something magical about designing a system, bringing it to life, and watching it perform exactly as you envisioned. What began as a fascination with creating mechanical systems has evolved into a professional passion that enables me to continuously solve complex problems at the intersection of design, programming, and real-world applications. During my master's program, I decided to focus specifically on robotics, as it offers the perfect blend of creative engineering and practical impact— creating solutions that can genuinely improve how we work and live.

I discovered Skoltech in a rather interesting way. Back then, I was working at Technopark, a startup hub at Chechen State University, where we organized various events, such as hackathons and scientific seminars. For one of these events—a TED-style conference — we invited several Skoltech professors as speakers. That's how I met Professor Artem Oganov, who particularly impressed me both professionally and personally. After this, I researched more about Skoltech and was amazed by the opportunities and faculty available there. It was also Professor Oganov who encouraged me to explore Skoltech programs and even introduced me to Professor Dzmitry Tsetserukou, who later became my supervisor. The “Space and Engineering Systems” program immediately stood out (now called Engineering Systems); it seemed perfect for what I dreamed of doing. Looking back, this was definitely a life-changing opportunity that opened doors I hadn't imagined possible for my academic and professional development. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone involved for how it all worked out.

Switching from computer science to robotics at Skoltech was a significant transition for me, but the academic structure made it manageable. The program helped me identify knowledge gaps and provided guidance for self-study while building a solid foundation for my future work. I particularly enjoyed the balanced approach to education that combined theory, practical application, and teamwork. One standout experience was the space engineering design course where we designed a system to carry and track a biological sample launched into the stratosphere. We even designed the container to look like SpongeBob! That was super fun. The combination of technical challenges and creative freedom made this project unforgettable for me.

Research at Skoltech introduced me to academic publishing and international collaboration. For the first time, I wrote and published papers in leading journals and conferences. The opportunities to present my work at conferences in Italy (EuroHaptics, Pisa), Spain (IEEE/RSJ IROS, Madrid), and South Korea (AsiaHaptics, Incheon) were invaluable. My exchange program in Tokyo, Japan, further broadened my perspective. These experiences developed not just my technical expertise but also crucial communication and networking skills.

Beyond academics, student life at Skoltech was vibrant and diverse. I formed lasting friendships with people from various backgrounds and cultures. Campus events fostered cultural exchange, and Moscow itself offered countless opportunities to socialize and experience new things. This combination of rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and rich student life created a transformative educational experience that prepared me well for my subsequent academic journey.

My experience at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has been excellent. The university offers outstanding research resources and facilities, along with numerous opportunities for extracurricular activities. The international student community is vibrant, with many exchange program options available (e.g. I spent 6 months in Imperial College London as an exchange student). I especially appreciate how the university prioritizes student mental health. I've been particularly fortunate with my lab environment — we have a supportive, friendly atmosphere, and our supervisor engages with us beyond academic work through activities like hiking and barbecues. This has created a collaborative culture that enhances our research.

As a PhD student, my coursework was limited but intensive, focusing on specialized topics in my field along with essential training in thesis writing, research ethics, and scientific presentation. The university regularly hosts valuable workshops and seminars, including sessions with editors from prestigious journals like Nature, which helped strengthen my academic writing skills. The degree structure is straightforward: a 3-year program (extendable if necessary) with a confirmation milestone after 18 months to evaluate progress. The final assessment involves thesis submission and an oral defense evaluated by two external reviewers. Formal graduation ceremonies are held twice yearly.

Overall, Hong Kong Polytechnic provides comprehensive support for PhD students — from advanced facilities and research funding to knowledge resources and networking opportunities — everything needed to conduct high-quality research and develop professionally.

Skoltech had a direct impact on my path to Hong Kong for PhD studies. Through the Skoltech network, I connected with a former student who was pursuing her PhD at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She not only shared valuable insights about life in Hong Kong and the university environment but also informed me that her co-supervisor was looking for new students. This personal connection led to my initial contact with him. While I applied to several universities, I ultimately chose Hong Kong Polytechnic because of the excellent research opportunities and substantial scholarship they offered.

I've now completed my PhD there and am currently doing a postdoc at the same institution. My research focuses on adaptive mobile robots with variable morphology and multi-agent systems. Looking ahead, I plan to continue developing my academic career while also exploring entrepreneurial opportunities. Hong Kong Polytechnic offers excellent resources for startups and for commercializing research, which I'm eager to take advantage of.

One thing I'd like to share from my personal experience is about overcoming self-doubt. I've found that we often miss amazing opportunities simply because we fear failure and rejection or believe we're not good enough. This is especially true in academics and research, where setbacks are inevitable. When you invest deeply in research, you'll face numerous challenges and failures. It's easy to focus on these disappointments and overlook your achievements, particularly your long-term growth. Even when pursuing your passion with strong motivation, the journey can be extremely difficult.

What I've learned is to avoid comparing myself to others and to simply persist. When looking at accomplished peers or mentors, try to see them as inspiration rather than evidence of your own inadequacy. This mindset shift isn't easy, of course, especially in competitive academic environments. Just be kind to yourself. Remember to rest properly and spend time with your loved ones. Everyone has their unique path, and consistent work will eventually lead to success. Your journey at Skoltech and beyond is your own — embrace it with both ambition and self-compassion.

We are Skoltech. A new type of university in Russia, established in 2011 in collaboration with MIT with the vision of being a world-leading institute of science and technology. From the zero stage, Skoltech has rapidly advanced along the way towards a top-100 young university recognized globally by Nature Index.