Ms. Marina Achkasova graduated from Kazan Federal University (Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology), majoring in Fundamental Biology and Microbiology, and her laboratory study focused on the use of microorganisms as agents for the bioremediation of organic waste. Then she earned a Master’s Degree at ITMO University, during which she was involved in developing test systems for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial infections as a researcher on commercial projects, and in completing her Master’s thesis. Now Marina is doing a PhD at the City University of Hong Kong, and her research is exploring cellular senescence as a protective mechanism against viral infections.

Beyond the academic experience, Ms. Marina Achkasova was engaged in the high-tech market and biotechnological industry as an intern in the Gene Engineering and Fermentation Laboratory, R&D center of Geropharm Company, and as a research analyst in Rapid Bio Company. Moreover, during her professional journey, Marina presented her work at different conferences, for example, the conference “Emerging Concepts in Cell Division Cycles: From Early Development to Cancer and Aging 2026” (OIST, Okinawa, 2026) and the International Scientific Conference of students, postgraduates, and young scientists "Lomonosov" (MSU, Moscow, 2024).