2011 Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship (Muskie) Program Fellows
October 12, 2011
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• Armenia |
• Moldova |
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• Russia |
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• Belarus |
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• Georgia |
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• Ukraine |
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ARMENIA
Tigran Abovyan
Armenia
Business Administration
Texas Christian University
Tigran Abovyan is a graduate of Yerevan State University, where he received a bachelor degree in economics and a master’s degree in mathematical modeling in economics. During his time there, he was president of the Student Council and awarded the Best Student Award in 2009. Recently, he was employed by the Central Bank of Armenia as a specialist in Consumer Rights Protection and Market Conduct Division, as well as the Financial System Development and Financial Stability Department. Mr. Abovyan has also worked for Rocarm Ltd, first as a sales manager and later as an export-import manager. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study financial management.
Aren Aghajanyan
Armenia
Business Administration
Monterrey Institute of International Studies
Aren Aghajanyan received his bachelor’s in biomedical engineering from the State Engineering University of Armenia and his master’s in business administration from American University of Armenia. He has worked as an audit manager for Grant Thornton and is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study operations of international financial markets and risk management of financial institutions.
Tigranui Akopyan
Armenia
Education
Middle Tennessee State University
Tigranui Akopyan is a graduate of the Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute. Prior to her fellowship, she worked in the Youth Initiative Center in Gyumri. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study educational policy and leadership.
Elmira Bakhshinyan
Armenia
Public Health
Boise State University
Elmira Bakhshinyan received her master’s degree in sociology from Yerevan State University. She has been deeply involved with the Real World, Real People NGO, directing the project “Providing care and support to people living with HIV” in partnership with Mission East Armenia/The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. She has also served as a public relations/advocacy specialist in partnership with UN organizations. In 2008, Ms. Bakhshinyan won the Armenian National Science and Education Fund Grand Award of the Fund for Armenian Relief of America. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study health communication and promotion.
Shushanik Eloyan
Armenia
Education
University of Missouri – St. Louis
Shushanik Eloyan graduated from the Nizhni Novgorod Linguistic University with the major of English. She then worked as a high school English teacher and a Language and Cultural Facilitator for Peace Corps in Armenia. She is the president of the American English Language Teachers' Association, Hrazdan branch, and also a British Council teacher trainer for Newspapers in Education. Ms. Eloyan is a Teaching Excellence and Achievement program alumna and a Secondary School Excellence Program grant recipient. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study curriculum and instruction.
Irina Ghazaryan
Armenia
Public Health
University of Southern Maine
Irina Ghazaryan received her master’s in pharmaceutical service and medicines control from Bradford University in the United Kingdom, before continuing on to a PhD in pharmacy from All-Union Research Institute of Pharmacy in Russia. During her long career, she has worked as the head of the Department of Pharmacy at the Yerevan Institute of Health, as the deputy director of the Drug and Medical Technology Administration, as the scientific secretary and then deputy director of the Scientific Center of the Diagnostics company, and also as a lecturer in the Department of Drug Technology, Organization and Economy of Pharmacy at Yerevan State Medical University. Most recently, Ms. Ghazaryan headed the Drug Utilization Research Group. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study health policy.
Samvel Karapetyan
Armenia
Environmental Management
SUNY – School of Environmental Science & Forestry
Samvel Karapetyan received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Environmental Economics from the Armenian State University of Economics. He interned at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in the Renewable Energy Division, where he researched the possibilities of bioethanol production in the Republic of Armenia. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study renewable energy economics, energy production from biomasses and the usage of computer software in renewable energy project analysis.
Virab Khachatryan
Armenia
Law
American University
Virab Khachatryan received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yerevan State University. Most recently, he has worked as a senior legal advisor with Academ-Consult. Mr. Khachatryan has also worked with both the Ministry of Justice, as a first class specialist at International Legal Department, and with the Ministry of Defense, where he acted as a senior officer in the Defense Policy Department and legal advisor to the First Deputy Minister. Mr. Khachatryan was awarded the Garegin Nzhdeh medal by the Minister of Defense. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study international trade law.
Viktorya Mirzoyan
Armenia
Journalism and Mass Communication
Louisiana State University
Viktorya Mirzoyan graduated from Yerevan State Linguistic University with a master's degree in English language with a specialization in international journalism. She has headed the English Translation Department for the Mediamax Media Company and participated in the two-year Writing for Democracy course funded by the U.S. Department of State. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study mass communications, including media management, public relations, and advertising in the media.
Armen Mkhitaryan
Armenia
Business Administration
University of Texas - Arlington
Armen Mkhitaryan graduated from the Ijevan branch of Yerevan State University with a bachelor’s in economics. He has been employed by the Ijevan City Hall as the Community Information Centre manager and network administrator, while working independently as a digital graphics, animation, and computer consultant. Mr. Mkhitaryan has also been an active volunteer with the Peace Corps and Green Tavush NGO, where he has served as a technical advisor, camp counselor, and aide to the establishment and creation of a Sustainable Agriculture Training Center in Khashtarak village.
Arpine Porsughyan
Armenia
Public Policy
Duquesne University
Arpine Porsughyan received her master's degree in social sciences from Tbilisi State University. Ms. Porsughyan worked as a regional research associate at the Caucasus Research Resource Center. She was also the Heinrich Böll Foundation Research Fellow 2011 and an alumna of the 2000 Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study social and public policy analysis, particularly policy implementation.
Gohar Sargsyan
Armenia
Public Administration
Missouri State University
Gohar Sargsyan graduated from the Russian State University of Tourism and Service. She has worked as a member relations specialist at the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia. Prior to joining the American Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Sargsyan worked at the Armenia Mariott Hotel as a finance coordinator and later as a sales consultant. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study public policy analyses and administration.
AZERBAIJAN
Tural Abbasov
Azerbaijan
Public Policy
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Tural Abbasov is a graduate of Ganja State University. Prior to his fellowship, he was employed by the Intelligent Citizen Public Union as both a human rights teacher and project coordinator. He also served as a Language and Cultural Facilitator for the Peace Corps and an interpreter for the Organization for Security and Corporation in Europe. Mr. Abbasov has won the Azerbaijani National Creative Writing Olympics three times. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study the history of the disability movement in the U.S.
Nargiz Balakishiyeva
Azerbaijan
Law
University of Houston
Nargiz Balakishiyeva graduated from Baku State University with honors, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Law and her LLM in commercial law. During her time there, she was recognized as the first place speaker of the 2007 Baku Open Debate Tournament held among the university’s students. Ms. Balakishiyeva has served as the senior legal adviser of the Investment Department at AzerEnerji JSC. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study corporate governance and securities regulation.
Nigar Fataliyeva
Azerbaijan
Journalism & Mass Communications
University of Arizona
Nigar Fataliyeva received her bachelor’s degree in film making from Azerbaijan State University of Art and Culture. Most recently, she was employed as a copywriter for McCann Erickson and a freelance writer for Women-Form, the Caucasus Edition of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study broadcast journalism.
Vagif Hasanov
Azerbaijan
Public Administration
Kansas State University
Vagif Hasanov is a graduate of the Azerbaijan Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages, where he received a five-year degree for teaching English and French as a foreign language. His most recent position was head of the Research and Development Department of the Azerbaijan Tourism Institute. He has also worked as the local government and civic engagement officer with USAID's Civil Society Project, as a project manager for Social Services Initiative, and as a training coordinator for the United Nations Development Programme in Azerbaijan. In addition, Mr. Hasanov has been involved with Counterpart International, acting both as a local advocacy manager and as a consultant on projects related to Afghanistan. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study civic engagement in local governance, focusing on enabling decentralization, local finance and budgeting, and local good governance.
Kanan Karimzada
Azerbaijan
Economics
Fordham University
Kanan Karimzada graduated from Azerbaijan State Economic University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in finance. He worked as a project coordinator for the Center for Economic and Social Development. Mr. Karimzada has also organized TED’s Baku conferences and helped translate TED talks into Azerbaijani. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study public finance and development economics.
Seymur Mammadli
Azerbaijan
Journalism and Mass Communciation
Kent State University
Seymur Mammadli received his bachelor’s degree, with honors, and master’s degree from the Azerbaijan University of Languages. He has served as a translator/interpreter for USAID’s Trade and Investment Reforms Support Project.
Aytaj Pashayeva
Azerbaijan
Education
Columbia University - Teacher's College
Aytaj Pashayeva received her bachelor’s in linguistics from Azerbaijan University of Languages. Ms. Pashayeva has worked as a program development specialist for "Madad Azerbaijan", a humanitarian organization. She has also volunteered as a Language and Culture Facilitator for Peace Corps Azerbaijan, as project director for AEGEE Baki-European Students Forum and as a project director for the American Councils for International Education. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study international educational organizations and issues.
Rena Rzayeva
Azerbaijan
Public Policy
Georgia State University
Rena Rzayeva graduated a master’s degree in international relations from Khazar University and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Baku State University. Ms Rzayeva has worked as a coordinator for the National Budget Group, as an international students office coordinator for the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy, and as a program associate/grants manager for the Caucasus Resource and Research Center in Azerbaijan. She was also a participant in the Department of State’s Global UGRAD program, a participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program, and was selected for the OSCE 2010 Review Conference participant in Hofburg, Vienna. During her fellowship she will study public policy analysis, particularly economic and political factors affecting decision making, cost-benefit analysis and strategic planning.
Aykhan Yusifov
Azerbaijan
Public Health
Northern Illinois University
Aykhan Yusifov received his bachelor’s degree from Baku State University. Mr. Yusifov worked as a clinical research coordinator for a technology management company. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study the the economic damage of brucella.
BELARUS
Larisa Fedarushchanka
Belarus
Public Health
Emory University
Larisa Fedarushchanka is a graduate of the Gomel State Medical Institute. She worked at the Belarusian Medical Academy of Post-Graduate Education as an allergy and clinical immunology specialist, occupational health specialist and junior member of the Allergy and Occupational Health Department teaching staff.
Siarhei Semiantsou
Belarus
International Affairs
University of Denver
Siarhei Semiantsou graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Translation and Interpretation at Minsk State Linguistic University. He has worked in the international relations department for the Secretariat of the Council of the republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and as the head of the volunteer translator team for the "Child's Heart" project of the International Children's Heart Foundation. During his fellowship, he will study international development and international organizations.
Anton Trafimovich
Belarus
Journalism and Mass Communication
Kansas State University
Anton Trafimovich graduated from Belarusian State University. He was a correspondent for Argumenty i Fakty v Belorussii, a weekly newspaper, and worked as a freelance write for several newspapers. Mr. Trafimovich also won a literary-historical contest about the biography of Lazdynų Pelėda in Vilnius, Lithuania. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study the management of journalism.
GEORGIA
Nino Beradze
Georgia
Journalism & Mass Communication
Kent State University
Nino Beradze holds a BA degree in public administration from the Georgia Technical University. In 2003, she completed a three-month scholarship program from the Embassy of Italy to Georgia, during which she researched economy and management at the Universita Degli Studi di Ferrara. Since January 2006, she has worked for the Millennium Challenge Georgia Fund (MCG) as a public outreach coordinator. Ms. Beradze also worked as a communications and outreach specialist for the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN). During her fellowship, she will study public relations and communications including corporate communications, strategic planning, integrated marketing communications, political marketing, and media relations.
Maka Bitsadze
Georgia
Environmental Management
University of South Carolina
Maka Bitsadze is a graduate of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, from which she received both her bachelor’s and master’s with honors. Her most recent involvement has been with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Caucasus Programme Office, where she has worked as the National Coordinator in Georgia, the assistant to the Regional Coordinator for the Caucasus Grants, the Regional Coordinator for the Protected Areas Project in the Caucasus Ecoregion and the Conservation Officer. Ms. Bitsadze has also been employed by the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia as the head and the leading specialist of the Conventional Division under the Biodiversity Protection Department. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study environmental and natural resources economics, focusing on the economic value of natural resources, the issue of equitable-sharing of benefit gained from the sustainable use of natural resources, and analysis and methods of environmental impact assessment.
Eva Bochorishvili
Georgia
Economics
Bowling Green State University
Prior to her fellowship, Eva Bochorishvili worked for the Ministry of Finance in Georgia.
Davit Darsavelidze
Georgia
Public Administration
University of North Texas
Davit Darsavelidze received his bachelor’s and master’s from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. During this time he was the beneficiary of a ten month PhD Erasmus Mundus scholarship to Greece and was the 2004 winner of Republican Students’ Scientific Conference in General Economics in Georgia. Mr. Darsavelidze has worked as the head of EU Programs Coordination and International Organizations Cooperation Department of the Economic Policy Agency at Tbilisi City Hall, as well as the deputy head of the Public Servants Trade Union of Georgia. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study strategic planning in local economic development.
Nino Davitashvili
Georgia
Public Health
California State University - Easy Bay
Nino Davitashvili received her medical degree from Tbilisi State Medical University. During her studies, she practiced medicine for short terms in Belgium, France, Turkey, and Bulgaria. She has interned at the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs in Georgia. Ms. Davitashvili was employed by the Dental Clinic Appledent as a general manager and served as the President of Aegee, the European Student's Forum, in Georgia. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study health care management, quality assessment and improvement, legal and ethical issues, as well as the evolution of managed health care.
Ketevan Gogelia
Georgia
Business Administration
Boston University
Ketevan Gogelia is a graduate of the European School of Management, where she received her degree in business administration. She has worked at TBC Bank in a variety of positions including, most recently, as the senior manager of the Product Development Department. Ms. Gogelia has also worked as a project coordinator at the Liberty Institute. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study entrepreneurship and private equity investment.
Natia Jikia
Georgia
Public Policy
George Mason University
Natia Jikia received her bachelor’s degree in international relations from Tbilisi State University. She has served as the senior program officer for the Parliamentary Strengthening Program of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).
Natalia Mumlauri
Georgia
Business Administration
Eastern Michigan University
Natalia Mumlauri received her bachelor’s in marketing from Caucasus University. Her most recent position has been as marketing analyst at MagtiCom Ltd. She has also worked as the head of the Analytical Department, as a sales and marketing manager, and editor-in-chief of the first marketing journal in the Georgian language. In total, Ms. Mumlauri has more than eight years of work experience in the marketing field, which includes creating the first dictionary of marketing terms on Georgian language and translating the first study book of basic marketing in the Georgian language.
Levan Nanobashvili
Georgia
Law
Michigan State University
Levan Nanobashvili received his PhD in jurisprudence from Tbilisi State University, and his master’s in international business law from the Central European University in Hungary. As an attorney, he has specialized in cross border transactions and investment projects. He has also taught Intellectual Property Law at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study intellectual property and trade law.
Rusudani Panozishvili
Georgia
Journalism and Mass Communication
College of St. Rose
Rusudani Panozishvili graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and a master’s degree in journalism from the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. She has worked as a staff reporter for the weekly magazine Liberali and as a reporter for Radio Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. For her work, she has been awarded the Best Article (2011) and Video Story (2010) by the Civil Society Institute. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study new media and video journalism.
Dimitri Tskitishvili
Georgia
International Affairs
University of Wyoming
Dimitri Tskitishvili graduated with his bachelor’s degree from the Tbilisi State Institute of Economic Relations. He has worked as the Black Sea working group coordinator for the International Union of Socialist Youth and as the President of the Young Socialists of Georgia. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study regional cooperation and security.
Keti Tsotniashvili
Georgia
Education
Vanderbilt University
Keti Tsotniashvili graduated from Free University of Tbilisi. She has worked as a chief specialist for the Strategic Development and Budgeting Department at Gori Teaching University, as a project director at the Business Training Center for Regional Development and as a coordinator for a Business Training Center for Regional Development project funded by the U.S. Embassy in Georgia. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study higher education administration, policy and economics.
KAZAKHSTAN
Inna Filipovich
Kazakhstan
Economics
University of Nebraska – Omaha
Inna Filipovich graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics. Prior to her fellowship, she was employed by the National Analytical Center as the project manager of the Department of Corporate and Strategic Development, where she served as a team member in the creation of the Strategic Plan of the Development of Kazakhstan 2020 and collaborated with foreign consultants and international organizations such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Economic Forum, and the World Bank. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study public policy focused on the problems of the external foreign debt, as well as the applications of assets from the Oil Stabilization Fund.
Kanat Jakupov
Kazakhstan
Public Policy
Kent State University
Kanat Jakupov received his bachelor’s degree in international economic relations from the Kazakh State Academy of Management. He was the head of the Business Development Division of Temirbank. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study public policy in small business development.
Andrey Kim
Kazakhstan
Business Administration
Emory University
Andrey Kim received his bachelor’s of science degree from KIMEP. Before his fellowship, he was an audit manager at Ernst & Young Kazakhstan and is a certified public accountant. During his Muskie fellowship, he will focus on alternative investments and strategy consulting.
Alexey Moisseyev
Kazakhstan
Business Administration
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Alexey Moisseyev is a graduate of the Russian Academy of Economics. He has served as the brand supervisor of Efes Karaganda Brewery and the marketing director of Obis. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study marketing.
Ainur Shakenova
Kazakhstan
Law
Saint Louis University
Ainur Shakenova graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law from Turan University. She has worked as a Law Reform Program Coordinator for the Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan and has supervised law and health projects in the Foundation for more than three years, including leading the creation of the first ever report on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Kazakhstan. Working as the Palliative Care Development Coordinator, she initiated her own research on legal and social barriers to accessing opiates for terminally ill patients in Kazakhstan. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study the intersection of law and health issues, especially palliative care issues.
Anatoliy Solnyshkin
Kazakhstan
Public Policy
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Anatoliy Solnyshkin graduated with his bachelor’s degree in English and German from Karaganda State University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Almaty Academy of Economy and Statistics. He has worked for the SOROS Foundation Kazakhstan as the Coordinator of the East Partnership beyond borders program. He has also coordinated 2 projects on the implementation of labor rights for disabled people in Kazakhstan.
Natalya Vodopyanova
Kazakhstan
Business Administration
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Natalya Vodopyanova graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Almaty Institute of Economics and Statistics. She also holds a certificate in Micro Enterprise Development from MASHAV Center for International Cooperation in Israel. She has worked as a budget and analysis group manager at the East Kazakhstan Regional Energy Company and as a business development consultant at USAID Enterprise Development Project in Central Asia. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study strategic planning and operations management.
Askhat Yerkimbay
Kazakhstan
Journalism and Mass Communication
University of Wyoming
Askhat Yerkimbay graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Kazakh philology, Kazakh literature and English from Kazakh National Pedagogical University. Mr. Yerkimbay has worked as an editor for the Kazakh version of Neweurasia.net, as an editor and journalist for Vox News Economy Radio Program, as a trainer at the MediaNet, an international journalism center, and as a teaching assistant at Kazakh National University. He organized a blog camp for over 100 Kazakh bloggers from around the world and his blog was nominated as a Best Blog during the blog camp in 2011. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study the impact of new media on transition and democratization in societies.
KYRGYSTAN
Nazgul Borkosheva
Kyrgyzstan
Environmental Management
North Dakota State University
Nazgul Borkosheva graduated with a bachelor’s in English from Osh State University. She has worked in a variety of roles for Save the Children including as the deputy program manager of the Disaster Risk Reduction project and child protection officer for the Emergency Management project. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study comprehensive emergency planning.
Umut Kakeeva
Kyrgyzstan
Education
Alabama A&M University
After graduating from Jalalabat State University, Umut Kakeeva taught English at Bokonbaev School. A 2007 Teaching Excellence and Achievement Fellow alumna, she has served as a language and cultural facilitator in Peace Corps pre-service training and as a summer camps coordinator for USAID. Ms. Kakeeva was also recently employed as an information and technology in education officer for the Global Connections and Exchange Project. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study leadership in education.
Tolonbek Karpekov
Kyrgyzstan
Environmental Management
North Dakota State University
Tolonbek Karpekov graduated from Moscow State Mining University with his bachelor’s degree in mining engineering. He has worked as a health and safety engineer at Jerooyaltyn. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study the usage of natural resources, water management and disaster management.
Tynchtyk Maldybaev
Kyrgyzstan
Business
Alabama A&M University
Tynchtyk Maldybaev received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, before continuing onto the mini MBA program in entrepreneurship and management program at the Kyrgyz-Japan Center for Human Development. He was most recently the chief executive officer of FinMart LLC. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study financial management and policy, security analysis and portfolio management.
Totugul Murzabekova
Kyrgyzstan
Public Health
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Totugul Murzabekova graduated from the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy. After graduating, she worked as a TB doctor, most recetlly for Doctors Without Borders. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study effective non-medical methods for prevention of infectious diseases.
Adema Zholdoshbekova
Kyrgyzstan
Public Policy
Syracuse University
Adema Zholdoshbekova received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the American University of Central Asia. She has worked for the National Monitoring and Evaluation Network of the Kyrgyz republic and was a participant in the Central Eurasia Leadership Academy. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study policy analysis, evaluation and implementation.
MOLDOVA
Lina Acalugaritei
Moldova
International Affairs
University of Kentucky
Lina Acalugaritei graduated from Moldova State University with a bachelor’s degree in law and political science and a master’s degree in international law. Previously, she worked as a project coordinator for the Pestalozzi Children Foundation, project assistant for the National Youth Council of Moldova and has volunteered for a variety of organizations including the Organization for Migration and the Center for Prevention of Trafficking in Women. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study national security policy, diplomacy, and negotiation.
Tatiana Dormenco
Moldova
Business Administration
Lincoln University of Missouri
Tatiana Dormenco received her bachelor’s degree from the Academy of Public Administration. She has served as a specialist in investment at the Causeni Rayon Council and as Director of the Center for Small Business Assistance in Causeni. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study financial management.
Olga Leonteac
Moldova
Education
California State University - Chico
Olga Leonteac graduated from Balti State University with a bachelor’s degree in philology, specializing in Russian/English language and literature and also earned her master's degree in education sciences. While she was studying, she was awarded Best Graduate Student of the Philology Department in 2009, after which she became a university assistant lecturer on Russian Literature and Culture. Ms. Leonteac has also taught English and Russian at Dm. Cantemir Lyceum. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study higher education, adult education and psychology, as well as multiculturalism.
Tatiana Perju
Moldova
Education
New Mexico State University
Tatiana Perju received her bachelor’s in English philology from Cahul State University. She has worked as the manager of the English Resource Center at Cahul State University and has held part time positions working as an interpreter for several NGO projects. Ms. Perju was also a volunteer mentor for Fulbright participants. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, particularly curriculum and instruction.
RUSSIA
Elena Bokova
Russia
Business Administration
University of Missouri - Columbia
Elena Bokova graduated with honors from Samara State Pedagogical University with a bachelor’s degree in foreign languages. She worked as the personal assistant to the Chairman of the Board for OAO Bank AVB and as a human resources intern for ZAO El-Trust. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study employee motivation in human resource management.
Ekaterina Kniga
Russia
Economics
Georgia State University
Ekaterina Kniga graduated from the Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation with a bachelor’s degree in international economic relations. She has worked as a specialist in the Department of International Financial Relations for the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation and as an economist for the Lantana jewelry company. During her fellowship, she will study tax reform with a focus on Russia.
Alena Kostyk
Russia
Business Administration
Michigan State University
Alena Kostyk graduated with honors from Tomsk State University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. She is the owner and CEO of Taiga-hostel. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study hospitality management.
Natalia Kupriyanova
Russia
Public Administration
University of Kansas
Natalia Kupriyanova is a graduate of Surgut Pedagogical Institute, where she studied English and German and a graduate of Tyumen Oil and Gas University, where she received her degree in economics and management. Ms. Kupriyanova has worked as a supervisor at the Surgut Methodological Center and volunteered to help to organize a TASIC program for people living with HIV/AIDS in the region. Over her career, she has worked on municipal services development, housing refurbishment, enhancing energy efficiency of residential buildings and waste water infrastructure development. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study NGO management, focusing on the environmental sector and networking.
Vladislav Radkov
Russia
Public Administration
Indiana University - Bloomington
Vladislav Radkov graduated from the Togliatti State Institute of Service where he studied public administration. He was the chief expert of Committee for Youth Affairs in the Togliatti Mayor's Office and was a recipient of the John Smith Fellowship in 2007. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study environmental management, budgeting processes and access to information.
Anastasiia Riabinina
Russia
Business Administration
Texas Christian University
Anastasiia Riabinina graduated from Far Eastern National University with a degree in international business. She has worked as a marketing manager for Gars Telecom, as head of the marketing department at DeltaLeasing and as a strategic and innovative services development group specialist at New Telephone Company. In 2007, Ms. Riabinina was the Secretary General at Model United Nations of the Russian Far East (MUNRFE) VI International Conference and in 2008, was a WTO Committee Chairperson at a regional MUNRFE Conference. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study strategy formulation, leading and guiding organizations, and the management of financial resources.
Sergey Rosliakov
Russia
Business Administration
North Dakota State University
Sergey Rosliakov graduated from Baltic State Technical University with a dual bachelor's degree in engineering and management and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Kaliningrad Institute of International Business. Mr. Rosliakov has over 10 years of banking experience and has worked in several senior positions for Polymetal JSC and Zoloto Taigi LLC. During his Muskie fellowship, he will be focusing on accounting information systems and management control systems.
Alexey Ryaguzov
Russia
Law
University of Washington
Alexey Ryaguzov graduated with a PhD in Law from Moscow State Academy of Law with a PhD in Law and from Khabarovsk State Academy of Economics and Law where he received his law degree. Mr. Ryaguzov has worked as the Deputy Head of Legal for the Federal Treasury's Office in Khabarovsk, and was a lecturer on conflict of laws at Khabarovsk State Academy of Economics and Law. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study corporate law, cross-border insolvency, and private international law.
Adam Sampiev
Russia
Public Policy
Central Michigan University
Adam Sampiev graduated with a BA in international relations from the University of Kainar. He has worked for World Vision International (WVI) in a variety of positions including, Commodity Officer for the WVI Disaster Management Team for Middle East and Eastern Europe, Grants Acquisition and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for WVI Russia, and as a Assistant Commodity Officer for WVI Pakistan. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study migration and migrant integration policies.
Maria Trush
Russia
Business Administration
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Maria Trush graduated with her bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the Russian University of Cooperation. She has worked as an auditor for the Commercial and Consumer Markets Department at KPGM and as a quality manager at Bank Elektronika. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study corporate financial management, negotiation skills, and leadership development.
Tatiana Ventsova
Russia
Business Administration
University of Oklahoma
Tatiana Ventsova graduated with a bachelor’s and specialist’s degree in economics from Omsk F.M. Dostoevsky State University. She has worked as a consultant on Corporate Finance at Garant, a consulting firm, and as a chief accountant at United Registrar – Omsk. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study corporate finance with a focus on financial and investment management.
Marina Volkova
Russia
Law
Pennsylvania State University
Marina Volkova graduated with a law degree from Mari State University. She has worked as a judicial clerk for the Commercial Court. As a student she participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition and received the Best Oralist Award of Russian National Championship in 2007. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study alternative dispute resolution, corporate and commercial law.
TAJIKISTAN
Mehrafruz Jonmamadova
Tajikistan
Business Administration
Kennesaw State University
Mehrafruz Jonmamadova graduated from Khorog State University with a degree in management. Prior to her Muskie fellowship, Ms. Jonmamadova interned in the finance department at Mountain Societies Development Support Program (MSDSP). During her Muskie fellowship, she will study business administration.
Farhod Khamidov
Tajikistan
Public Administration
School for International Training (DC)
Farhod Khamidov graduated from Technological University of Tajikistan with a degree in economics. Most recently, he worked for UNICIEF as a monitoring and evaluation officer and volunteered with their education activities. Prior to that, he taught at the university level for two terms and also won a scholarship to attend the IDEAS Annual assembly in Johannesburg, South Africa. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study the usage of quantitative and qualitative data analysis in monitoring and evaluation.
Gulchekhra Khuseynova
Tajikistan
Public Policy
University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Gulchekhra Khuseynova is a graduate of the Russian-Tajik Slavonic University. She has been employed by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office as a senior program assistant in the Human Rights and Democratization Department. Ms. Khuseynova has also worked with the International Organization for Migration as the media assistant. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study social welfare and policy for rural development.
Lolagul Raimbekova
Tajikistan
Education
Kent State University
Lolagul Raimbekova graduated with honors from Khorog State University where she studied linguistics and teaching English as a second language. She has worked as a lecturer in the English language department of foreign languages at Khorog State University and as a monitoring and evaluation specialist in the education sector. Ms. Raimbekova participated in the Junior Faculty Development program in 2008 and as a facilitator in the Open World program in 2009. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study early childhood education/establishment and supervision of early childhood education centers.
Bakhtiyor Zukhurov
Tajikistan
Environmental Management
Miami University of Ohio
Bakhtiyor Zukhurov graduated with his bachelor’s degree in international relations from Tajik State National University. He has worked as a deputy project manager/monitoring officer for Welthungerhilfe/German Agro Action, as a disaster risk reduction officer for a public sustainable local development organization, and held a variety of positions within CARITAS Switzerland such as project leader for the Natural Disaster Risk Management program. Mr. Zukhurov is an alumnus of the U.S. Department of State Future Leaders and Exchange program and received the Muminabad Pride from the District Governor of Muminabad for great contribution and development of Muminabad district. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study environmental and sustainable management principles and mechanisms.
TURKMENISTAN
Olga Tyurina
Turkmenistan
Public Administration
SUNY - Binghampton
Olga Tyurina graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Magtymguly Turkmen State University. She has worked as a Community Connections program manager for American Councils for International Education (ACTR/ACCELS). During her Muskie fellowship, she will study the theory and practice of non-profit organization and fundraising.
UKRAINE
Vladyslav Berestenko
Ukraine
Economics
Ohio University
Vladyslav Berestenko received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with excellence, from Odessa National Mechnikov University. His most recent experience is interning at Department of Macroeconomics under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine. Prior to the internship, he served as the chief specialist in the Department of International Relations for the Odessa City Council. He was the head of the Youth Association of Public Diplomats and EURO<26 Discount project in Odessa since 2006. Among Mr. Berestenko’s accomplishments is winning the TOP 100 Youth Leaders of Odessa contest organized by the Department of Family, Youth and Sports. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study the investment strategies of developed countries undergoing recession through quantitative indicators and methods of influence on foreign direct investments for developing countries.
Ganna Ivanova
Ukraine
Public Administration
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Ganna Ivanova graduated from Taurida National V.I. Vernadsky University with her bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science. After interning for the Crimean State Committee on Affairs of Nationalities and Deported Citizens, she worked as the public relations manager and as a journalist for the Crimean Internet News Agency, "e-Crimea." During her Muskie fellowship, she will study community development and project management.
Elvira Kizilova
Ukraine
Public Administration
University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
Elvira Kizilova has received two master’s degrees: a master’s in management from the Crimean Institute of Nature Protective and Health Resort Construction and a master’s of public administration from the Odessa Regional Institute of Public Administration. She has headed the Department of International Cooperation and Image Policy for the Ministry of Health Resorts and Tourism of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study good governance principles and public administration of the tourism sector.
Sergii Loiko
Ukraine
Public Policy
Western Illinois University
Sergii Loiko received his master’s degree in political science from Taurida National University. He has worked as an interviewer and analyst at the Crimean Center for Ethnic and Social Research and interned at the Crimean Republican Committee on Information, Simferopol City Council Organizational Department. In April 2010, Mr. Loiko received first prize at the 39th Taurida National University Annual Student Research Conference-Political Science and International Relations Section, and second prize in the Student Essay Contest held by the British Embassy to Ukraine and the EU Information Centre, for two separate projects. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study parliamentary and the US Congress systems, specifically in the realm of foreign policy.
Liubov Shevchuk
Ukraine
Law
University of Pennsylvania
Liubov Shevchuk graduated with a dual bachelor’s degree in English language and literature and law and a master’s degree in law from Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University. She was a winner in the International Law Conference in St. Petersburg in 2010. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study immigration law and mediation.
Iuliia Shybalkina
Ukraine
Public Policy
University of Oklahoma
Iuliia Shybalkina graduated with a master’s degree in finance from Kharkiv Institute of Finance. She has worked on the Committee on Industrial and Regulatory Policy and Entrepreneurship for the Parliament of Ukraine and as a research assistant at Kharkiv Institute of Finance. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study the transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from a centralized government to local self-government.
Tetyan Sokolan
Ukraine
Law
University of Conneticut
Tetyana Sokolan graduated with a specialist’s degree from Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs. She worked as an inspector in the international department at Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs and at a legal clinic at Kharkiv National University of International Affairs. Ms. Sokolan also participated in DAAD, a German exchange program. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study human rights.
Dariia Valiavska
Ukraine
Law
Boston College
Dariia Valiavska graduated from Kyiv International University with a master’s degree in intellectual property and specialist degree in international private law. She is a qualified registered trademark attorney and has worked at Sayenko Kharenko Law Firm and Baker & McKenzie. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study intellectual property law.
Oleksandr Volkov
Ukraine
Law
Pepperdine University
Oleksandr Volkov received his bachelor’s and LLM degree from Yaroslav the Wise National Law Academy of Ukraine. He has worked as a lawyer for Shkrebets and Partners and was the head of the Liga Paritet association and head of the arbitration department within the association. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study conflict resolution and arbitration.
UZBEKISTAN
Abbos Akhadov
Uzbekistan
Environmental Management
University of Idaho
Abbos Akhadov graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Tashkent State Technical University. He has worked as the Deputy Director for the Republican Forest Seed Production Centre of the Main Department of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water resources of Uzbekistan, chief expert for monitoring international projects at the Main Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and as a lecturer on economics at the “International House Tashkent” Academic lyceum. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study economic implications of global climate change worldwide and global institutional challenges associated with integrating climate change adaptation/mitigation into policies.
Abdugani Bazarov
Uzbekistan
Education
Texas A&M University
Abdugani Bazarov is a graduate of the Tashkent Automobile and Road Construction Institute, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in marketing. Prior to his fellowship, Mr. Bazarov taught economics at the Economical College in the Namangan province of Uzbekistan.
Nigorahon Davlotova
Uzbekistan
Education
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Nigorahon Davlyatova graduated from Fergana State University with a bachlor’s in English. She worked as an English teacher in a secondary school in the Buvayda district of the Fergana region, as a teacher in the Department of Foreign Languages at Fergana State University and as a health projects coordinator for Central Asian Free Exchange. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study leadership and school community relations.
Ganisher Davlyatov
Uzbekistan
Public Health
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Ganisher Davlyatov is a graduate of Tashkent Medical Academy, from which he received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in cardiology. He has served as a general practitioner at Atlant Axis Diagnostic and Treatment Center and volunteered as a research assistant and volunteer at WHO STEPS Surveillance Program. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study health promotion, specifically designing and implementing health promotion projects.
Khilola Kamilova
Uzbekistan
Law
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Khilola Kamilova is a graduate of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, where she received her bachelor's degree in international law with honors. While she was studying, she volunteered at the University’s legal clinic. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study international law.
Bakhadur Paluaniyazov
Uzbekistan
International Affairs
University of Kentucky
Bakhadur Paluaniyazov graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Karakalpak State University and a master’s degree in public administration from North London University. He has worked as an area manager for the United Nations Development Programme. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study international development issues.
Alauatdin Seitniyazov
Uzbekistan
Business Administration
North Carolina Central University
Alauatdin Seitniyazov graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law from Karakalpak State University. He has worked as a director for a brokerage office and as a customs clearing agent. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study finance, economic analysis, and management.
Khusen Shukurov
Uzbekistan
Public Administration
University of Louisville
Khusen Shukurov received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international economics from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy. He has held several positions, including deputy project manager, task manager, and economist for the United Nations Development Programme in Uzbekistan and was a representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan in the United States. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study public-private partnerships.
Muzaffar Tilavov
Uzbekistan
Economics
Williams College
Muzaffar Tilavov graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in international economic relations from Tashkent State University of Economics. He has worked as a senior specialist in the Foreign Investments Department for the Ministry for Foreign Econmic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan. During his Muskie fellowship, he will study development economics.
Dildora Toshpulatova
Uzbekistan
Education
Texas A&M University
Dildora Toshpulatova received her bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in linguistics from Namangan State University. She has worked as an English language instructor at Management Development Institute of Singapore in Uzbekistan. During her Muskie fellowship, she will study educational psychology.
