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Sartbaeva, from a small village in Kyrgyzstan, developed a technology called "ensilication," which is a protective silicon shell that allows vaccines to maintain their properties even at high temperatures. This innovation could substantially reduce vaccine losses during transportation and make vaccination more accessible for remote regions where a reliable cold chain is lacking.
After graduating from university in Bishkek, Asel continued her studies at Cambridge and is currently an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Bath in the UK. She is also the founder of EnsiliTech, a company that implements her technologies in vaccine production.
Sartbaeva's idea was born when she saw a doctor taking a vaccine out of the refrigerator to vaccinate her daughter. The scientist decided to tackle one of the most pressing healthcare issues by teaching biomolecules to "survive" when heated.
UN experts emphasize that Asel Sartbaeva's work is particularly significant for low- and middle-income countries, where vaccine delivery is complicated by a lack of electricity and logistical challenges.
In addition to her scientific achievements, Asel actively supports educational programs, such as the UNICEF initiative "Girls in Science," aimed at encouraging schoolgirls in Central Asia to pursue STEM disciplines.
The technology developed by Asel Sartbaeva successfully passed trials during the COVID-19 pandemic, confirming its enormous potential for improving global health.
