Joint educational program of SKMA and Sechenov University: scientific internship in the field of pharmaceutical ecology

In the period from October 28 to December 20, 2024, as part of the Agreement on a joint educational program at the master's level between the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy (SKMA, Kazakhstan) and the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University, Russia) in the field of Pharmaceutical Ecology, Kamola Abdukarimova, a second-year master’s student, and Ainur Karabayeva, a second-year PhD candidate, also completed a scientific internship at Sechenov University.
During the internship, according to the approved plan, the trainees got acquainted with various departments of the university under the guidance of the Deputy Director of the A.P. Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy for scientific work, Associate Professor M.Y. Stepanova.

The bases of the scientific internship were:
- A.P. Arzamastsev Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, A.P. Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy, Sechenov University;
- Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, CCD Center, SHI "CCH named after I.V. Davydovsky".
As part of the internship program, K. Abdukarimova conducted experimental research on the topic of her dissertation:
• development of a methodology for food sample preparation;
• development of MRM transitions of standard samples of medicinal substances;
• chromatography of the studied samples by HPLC-MS/MS method.

PhD candidate A. Karabayeva completed her research practice on the topic of her doctoral dissertation "Pharmaceutical research, quality control and standardization of the Mausoleum Eriocarpa" under the internship program by spectrophotometric determination of the chemical composition and microscopic analysis of the aboveground part of the plant.

As part of the internship, master’s student K. Abdukarimova and PhD candidate A. Karabayeva participated in several scientific events, including:
• competition of poster and oral reports in English at the II International Conference "Integration Network of the Pharmaceutical Ecology in the Modern Enviroment - 2024" (30.10-11.01.2024);
• breakout session "Practical experience in the application of filtration and water treatment technologies in pharmaceutical production. Development and qualification of modern pharmaceutical production" (30.10-11.01.2024).

In addition, the graduate student successfully spoke at the II International conference " Integration Network of the Pharmaceutical Ecology in the Modern Enviroment - 2024", with a report in English on the topic "Methods for testing food products for pharmaceutical residues" and was awarded a diploma of the first degree.

PhD candidate A. Karabayeva successfully participated in the youth section of the poster presentation competition in English at the First International Conference "Innovative drugs: from molecule to patient" and was nominated for a diploma of the II degree.

The trainees also got acquainted with the work of the Pharma-Premium research center, led by PhD, Associate Professor Melnik E.V., visited a VR laboratory, a practical skills training center and a site for experimental laboratory production of original medicines and cosmeceuticals. We got acquainted with the scientific research areas of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry named after A.P. Arzamastsev.
The scientific internship, aimed at strengthening and expanding fundamental competencies, improving the level of scientific and professional qualifications, as well as developing practical skills in accordance with the program, was held at a high research and cognitive level.

The cultural program was intense. During it, they visited significant historical and cultural sites, including Red Square, the EANE Pavilion of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zvenigorod, where such unique monuments as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary are located. Visits to the Zvenigorod Manege, exhibitions of paintings in the Tretyakov Gallery and the gallery of the famous artist Alexander Shilov, the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve, and others were also organized. This contributed to a deep immersion in the cultural environment and made it possible to realize the importance and influence of cultural heritage on modern society.

The staff of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry expresses its gratitude to the Director of the A.P. Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy, Professor G.V. Ramenskaya, Deputy Director of Research, Associate Professor M.Y. Stepanova for creating optimal conditions for a productive scientific internship at Sechenov University.