World Champion in Chemistry | Materials Science Researcher | Chemical & Materials Engineering Scholar at New Uzbekistan University | Master’s in Materials Engineering at National University of Singapo

Details

Profile:
An innovative chemical engineer with a strong focus in materials science. Developed a comprehensive metal–organic framework (MOF) database (5,000+ entries from 157 publications) for energy storage applications. Collaborated with Prof. Valentin Milichko (Univ. of Lorraine) on 3D/2D MOF design and engaged with Nobel Laureate Prof. Omar M. Yaghi’s research group (MOF pioneers). Interests center on MOFs for electrochemical energy storage, CO₂ adsorption and conversion, and hybrid nanomaterials – aligning with Prof. Andrew B. Wong’s NUS research in electrochemical CO₂ conversion. Silver medalist at the International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad and multiple national Olympiad gold medalist, demonstrating early academic excellence.
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Education

New Uzbekistan University, Tashkent — B.Sc. in Chemical & Materials Science Engineering (Expected May 2026).
Ranked in the top 10% of the cohort for academic excellence and leadership. Relevant courses: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Characterization, Electrochemical Engineering.
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Selected Research Projects

MOF Energy Storage Database (2025–Present): Lead developer of the first manually curated database of metal–organic frameworks for energy storage. Compiled data on >5,000 MOFs (from 157 literature sources) including composition, structure and performance metrics to support screening of materials for batteries, supercapacitors and CO₂ capture.


Collaborative MOF Materials Research (2025): Worked with Prof. Valentin Milichko (Université de Lorraine, France) on designing novel 3D/2D MOF optical materials. Consulted with Prof. Omar M. Yaghi’s research team (UC Berkeley, Nobel Chemistry 2025 laureate for MOFs) on next-generation MOF composites for gas adsorption.


Electrochemical Membrane Project (Huawei SEEDS, 2023): Led design and testing of innovative reverse-osmosis membranes at Nazarbayev University (Astana) for water purification. The team placed 2nd globally in Huawei’s “Seeds for the Future” competition and received a $20,000 R&D grant.


Polymeric Hybrid Materials (2025): Developed polymer-modified paving tile composites at Nazarbayev University (Astana), enhancing material durability.

POP’s long-range transport (2025)
Conducted environmental impact studies on novel biopolymer filters for Arctic waters at Harbin Institute of Technology (2025).
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Collaborations & Recognition

Prof. Andrew B. Wong (NUS Materials Science & Engineering, h-index - 22) – Interviewed and informally offered a position in his research group (2025); Wong’s research focuses on engineering microenvironments for electrochemical CO₂ conversion, directly aligning with Gafarov’s interests.

Prof. Valentin Milichko (Univ. of Lorraine, France, h-index - 34) – Co-researcher on MOF design and optoelectronic applications.

Prof. Omar M. Yaghi (UC Berkeley, USA, h-index - 199) – Consulted on MOF synthesis (Yaghi is co-recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing MOFs).

Prof. Wolfgang A. Herrmann (Technical University of Munich, Germany h-index - 137) – Direct Mentor in research.

Prof. Yi-Fan Li (Harbin Institute of Technology, China, h-index-76) - Research in long-range transport of POP’s in the Arctic Ecosystem

Fudan University (Shanghai, China, 7 July. 2026) - Climate Change & Related Risks Research with professors from University of Cambridge, Princeton University, University of Toronto, and NASA
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Awards & Honors

Silver Medal, 56th International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad (2022) – Top performer in global chemistry competition.

Gold Medals, Uzbekistan National Chemistry Olympiads (Spring 2022, Autumn 2022) – National first place honors.

Silver Medal, Huawei Seeds for the Future Global ICT Competition (2023) – Awarded $20,000 for water purification technology.

Gold Medal, INNOVUM National Olympiad (2022) – Young inventors competition.

Best Young Inventor of Uzbekistan (2023) – National award for innovative engineering project (organic polymers).
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Key Skills

Materials Synthesis & Characterization: Expertise in inorganic and hybrid material fabrication (MOFs, polymers, membranes). Skilled in electrochemical testing (cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy), spectroscopic and microscopic analysis (UV-Vis, IR, XRD, SEM) and surface area measurement (BET).

Data & Computational: Database development and curation (managed 5,000+ MOF entries). Programming in Python (completed Harvard’s CS50 AI course) and MATLAB for data analysis.

Laboratory Techniques: Membrane fabrication, coating processes, chemical processing. Proven safety and project management (led ISO-compliant production projects).

Leadership & Communication: Project leader on multi-national teams; developed and presented research to diverse audiences. Strong written and verbal English; fluent in Russian and Uzbek.
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Leadership & Extracurricular Activities

Research Engineer, HUAWEI (2023-2024)
- Developed a technique for extracting lignin from licorice root for use in filtration materials for water purification.
- Participated in the design of an engineering solution for the creation of environmentally friendly water purification filters.
- Conducted research on the properties of lignin and its potential for water treatment technologies.
- Worked on optimizing the extraction process and preparing the material for further use in filters.
- Represented the project within the framework of Seeds for the Future at the international level.
- Participated in research work at Nazarbayev University together with a professor affiliated with Stanford University.
- The project has been ranked 2nd in the world among young engineers and has become one of the best international engineering initiatives.
- Worked in an international engineering team within the framework of a project with a prize fund of $20,000.

Founder & CEO, EcoPolyPlast (2022–Present):
- Developed a composite material based on polymers and recycled plastic waste for use in road surfaces.
- Investigated the possibility of increasing the strength and stability of road materials through the use of polymer additives and recycled plastic.
- Received a grant of $15,000 for the development and further testing of the project.
- Received a local informal patent with the support of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- Organized and accompanied the testing of the material in the laboratory of Materials Science at Nazarbayev University.
- Participated in the analysis of the mechanical and operational properties of the developed road material.
- Promoted the use of recycled waste as a sustainable engineering solution for infrastructure projects.
- Prepared a business plan for the industrial implementation of a project for the production of road materials based on recycled plastics and polymers.
- Developed the concept of launching a production plant, taking into account environmental, technical and economic indicators.
- Conducted a preliminary analysis of technology scaling for the public infrastructure sector.
- The project is under review and analytical evaluation by the Ministry of Ecology of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- The expected volume of potential investments in the project exceeds $600,000.
- Prepared a financial and strategic model for the introduction of technology for long-term use in road infrastructure.

Research Assistant, New Uzbekistan University (2025-present)
- Conducted research on the creation of a specialized database of organometallic frameworks (MOF) for use in supercapacitors and battery systems.
- Created a structured database that includes more than 3,500 MOF materials with technical and electrochemical characteristics.
- Analyzed more than 1,000 scientific articles on MOFs, energy storage systems, and materials for supercapacitors and batteries.
- Has developed its own methodology for analyzing and classifying MOFs according to more than 40 parameters to assess their potential in energy systems.
- Performed the separation of parameters into standardized and non-standardized categories to unify and improve the accuracy of data analytics.
- Carried out the systematization and comparative analysis of the structural, electrochemical and physical properties of MOF materials.
- I am the first author of an equally contributed research paper on this topic.
- The scientific article is being prepared at the invitation of Q1 of the journal Advanced Electronic Materials.

FOUNDER & CEO, LLC Vertex Trade Plus (2026 - present)
- Co-founded a company for the export and import of essential food products with an international team of founders from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
- Developed a strategy for the supply of food products to unstable and border regions.
- Held talks with more than 200 producers of refined sunflower oil and flour in Central Asia and the CIS.
- Organized market research (personal visit to all cities), logistics and production facilities of suppliers in a number of cities Fergana, Kokand, Andijan, Tashkent, Gulistan, Samarkand, Jizzakh, Shahrisabz, Karshi, Termez, Hairatan, Shymkent, Turkistan and Moscow.
- Participated in the construction of an international supply chain for the export of refined sunflower oil.
- The planned volume of supplies is up to 1,000 tons of sunflower oil per month with the launch of trial batches of 500 tons.
- Carries out further analysis of the flour market and expansion of the export direction for the supply of basic foodstuffs.
- Works on the development of international trade and logistics partnerships in the field of food security and commodity trade.