YENLIK Salybayeva
Gold Coast
Summary
Dynamic and multilingual science communicator with a strong academic foundation in STEM and media. Proven track record of making complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging through university journalism, public platforms like Medium, and podcasting. Skilled in storytelling, editorial writing, and audience-focused communication, with a special focus on astronomy, interdisciplinary science, and the cultural impact of science. Experienced in teaching, tutoring, and inclusive outreach, with over three years of experience in English education and community volunteering. Passionate about fostering curiosity and making science communication inclusive, culturally relevant, and inspiring for diverse audiences.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Science Columnist
The Griffith Journal
02.2025 - Current
- Writes and curates a dedicated science column aimed at making complex scientific discoveries accessible and engaging for a broad, non-specialist university audience.
- Focuses particularly on astronomy and space science, with an emphasis on Southern Hemisphere research and emerging theories in astrophysics.
- Selected topics include:
NASA’s discoveries from asteroid Bennu and their implications for planetary science
Theoretical physics proposal that the universe may exist inside a black hole
The future of biocomputational AI and living computing systems
Breakthroughs in Southern Hemisphere astronomy, including observatory access to the Magellanic Clouds and the Galactic Center
Mechanisms of non-DNA inheritance - Responsible for researching content, verifying scientific accuracy, simplifying technical information, and shaping articles into compelling narratives.
- Collaborates with editorial staff and adapts writing style to meet publication standards and diverse audience needs.
- Strengthens storytelling, public engagement, and cross-disciplinary communication skills essential for science communication roles.
STEM Squad Member
Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus
03.2025 - Current
- Acts as a student ambassador for STEM, promoting science engagement and curiosity among school students and the wider community.
- Assists in the delivery of hands-on workshops, science demonstrations, and outreach activities at schools, community events, and Griffith-hosted programs.
- Explains scientific concepts in clear, age-appropriate language to inspire young learners and increase public interest in STEM fields.
- Collaborates with a diverse team of peers and educators to support Griffith’s mission of making science accessible, fun, and inclusive.
- Builds strong skills in public speaking, event facilitation, science education, and audience-tailored communication.
Science Blogger
Medium
05.2024 - Current
- Maintains a personal blog exploring intersections between science, philosophy, literature, and other intellectual curiosities.
- Writes accessible, thought-provoking essays aimed at bridging scientific thinking with broader cultural and philosophical themes.
- Develops long-form narratives that engage both general and academic audiences, combining research with critical analysis and personal insight.
Newsletter Editor (Incoming)
The Southern Astronomical Society
04.2025 - Current
- Will contribute to and edit the Society’s monthly newsletter, focusing on public outreach and astronomy education.
- Responsibilities include writing accessible articles on current celestial events, recent research, and Society activities to engage both amateur astronomers and the general public.
- Will collaborate with Society members to source content, conduct interviews, and ensure scientific accuracy and clarity.
- Aims to make astronomy relatable and exciting through storytelling, visuals, and clear explanations of complex topics.
- This role will further develop professional science writing, editing, and public communication skills within a specialized astronomical context.
Aged Care Volunteer
MiCare
12.2024 - Current
- Meets regularly with elderly individuals to provide companionship, English language tutoring, and engaging social activities aimed at reducing isolation and promoting wellbeing.
- Designs personalized sessions that include conversations, games, reading, and language exercises, fostering connection, confidence, and cognitive stimulation.
- Builds trust and adapts communication styles to meet the needs of aging, often linguistically diverse participants.
- Develops empathy, patience, and audience-tailored communication—skills essential for effective public engagement in science.
Disability Care Volunteer
Sailibility Gold Coast
02.2025 - Current
- Assists individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities in experiencing the joy and freedom of sailing, promoting inclusion, independence, and community engagement.
- Supports participants in safely boarding, navigating, and enjoying time on the water, often helping to adapt instructions and communicate clearly across different abilities.
- Develops strong interpersonal skills, patience, and the ability to convey complex instructions in simple, accessible ways.
- Reinforces a key principle of science communication: that clarity, empathy, and accessibility are vital for reaching diverse audiences, especially those with different needs and experiences.
- Gains insight into how inclusive practices in recreational settings can inform inclusive approaches to educational outreach and public science communication.
English as a Second Language Teacher, IELTS Tutor
StudyLink
05.2022 - 02.2023
- Delivered a comprehensive English language program for teenagers and adults, from beginner to advanced levels, using established curricula like English File, Go Getter, and Family and Friends.
- Taught IELTS preparation courses to students pursuing higher education, with a focus on improving clarity, coherence, and scientific vocabulary for academic contexts.
- Facilitated interactive group and one-on-one lessons, adapting teaching methods to suit diverse learning styles, age groups, and language proficiencies.
- Integrated technology tools, LMS platforms, and a blended learning approach (online + in-person) to ensure flexible, accessible, and engaging instruction.
- Applied a variety of assessment strategies (formative, summative, performance-based) to track student progress and guide instructional adjustments.
- This role deepened skills in explaining complex ideas clearly, managing diverse audiences, and adapting content across contexts—key capabilities for communicating scientific concepts to varied public audiences in both digital and real-world environments.
English as a Second Language Teacher
Tesla Education
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Designed and delivered engaging English language courses for learners from Elementary to Upper Intermediate levels using the English File curriculum.
- Prepared high school students for the Unified National Test (UNT), integrating mock exams and performance analysis to ensure academic success.
- Provided personalized instruction for younger students (Grades 5 and 8), tailoring content to individual learning needs and developmental stages.
- Taught both in-person and online via Zoom, adapting to varied learning environments while maintaining clarity, engagement, and structure.
- Communicated regularly with parents through detailed feedback reports, developing a transparent and supportive learning culture.
- Created original curriculum materials that simplified complex grammar and vocabulary—experience that directly informs an ability to translate complex scientific content into accessible language, a core skill in science communication.
Tutor Volunteer
Discovery Academy
12.2018 - 02.2020
- Tutored students in Grades 1 to 8 across core subjects including Math, English, and Science, providing academic support and personalized assistance with homework and assignments.
- Created a structured and engaging learning environment that fostered curiosity and encouraged critical thinking in younger learners.
- Supervised and organized educational activities, ensuring a balance of academic support and interactive learning.
- Developed the ability to explain complex concepts in simple, age-appropriate language—a skill foundational to effective science communication and public education.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences, Media And Communication Major
Griffith University
QLD08-2026
Skills
- WordPress – for blog/article publishing
- Canva – for visual content creation and layout
- Audacity – for audio editing (podcasts, interviews)
- Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Google Workspace (Docs, Slides, Forms, Drive)
- LMS Platforms (eg, Moodle, Google Classroom)
- Science writing (articles, blogs, columns)
- Media release writing
- Academic writing & literature reviews
- Public speaking & oral presentation
- Adapting language for different audiences
- Editorial skills (proofreading, content editing)
- Scriptwriting for video or audio
- Interviewing & storytelling
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Russian
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Astronomy & Stargazing – Regularly attend public lectures, observatory tours, and stargazing events; passionate about making astronomy accessible to non-specialist audiences
- Science & Philosophy – Explore how scientific discoveries intersect with philosophical ideas, particularly around time, language, and ethics
- Writing & Storytelling – Enjoy crafting long-form essays and articles that simplify complex concepts and connect science with culture and human experience
- Languages & Cross-Cultural Communication – Fascinated by linguistic diversity and how language shapes understanding; fluent in three languages and learning a fourth
- Inclusive Education & Outreach – Dedicated to creating learning spaces where science is approachable and meaningful for all, especially marginalized groups
- Sailing & Nature – Volunteer with inclusive sailing programs like Sailability; enjoy the balance between technical learning and connection with the natural world
Timeline
Newsletter Editor (Incoming)
The Southern Astronomical Society
04.2025 - Current
STEM Squad Member
Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus
03.2025 - Current
Science Columnist
The Griffith Journal
02.2025 - Current
Disability Care Volunteer
Sailibility Gold Coast
02.2025 - Current
Aged Care Volunteer
MiCare
12.2024 - Current
Science Blogger
Medium
05.2024 - Current
English as a Second Language Teacher, IELTS Tutor
StudyLink
05.2022 - 02.2023
English as a Second Language Teacher
Tesla Education
09.2021 - 05.2022
Tutor Volunteer
Discovery Academy
12.2018 - 02.2020
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences, Media And Communication Major
Griffith University
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