The bronze medalist of the CASE-IN explores how to turn waste into a valuable industrial product

Anastasia Zhdanova, a fourth-year student at the Institute of Energy of KuzSTU, won a scholarship from the Government of the Russian Federation. During her studies in the field of Thermal Power Engineering and Heat Engineering, she managed to try herself in several engineering work formats at once: from scientific research and software development to solving production cases and practical training at enterprises.

In 2025, Anastasia, as part of the Thermoeds team, became the bronze medalist of the Main Season of the International Engineering CASE-IN Championship in the field of Thermal Power Engineering. In addition to the third place, the team received special awards for "Breakthrough Solution" and "Best Video Visuals." The championship is held with the support of the Presidential Platform "Russia – the land of opportunities".

Another result was the victory of the KuzSTU team in the acceleration program "Laboratory of Energy 2025", which is conducted by En+ and IRNTU. Together with Artyom Kuznetsov and Dmitry Slizhuk, Anastasia worked on a project of alternative methods of thermal insulation and walling of boiler units. The team became one of the three winners and received a grant for further development of the technological solution.

The student's portfolio also includes her own software development: a registered computer program "A program for calculating the parameters of the Rankine cycle with two intermediate pair selections." In addition, Anastasia received a working profession as a boiler maintenance engineer of the third category and is a resident of the Student Design Bureau established at KuzSTU jointly with the Melnichenko Foundation and the Siberian Generating Company. At SKB, students work with real engineering tasks and industry-specific software, interacting with specialists from energy companies.

Anastasia is currently focusing her efforts on the research work of the Department of Thermal Power Engineering related to the production of coal sorbents from traditional and alternative raw materials. Her task in the research team is to experimentally evaluate the adsorption activity of the obtained samples.

Anastasia perceives receiving a government scholarship primarily as an assessment of the work already done: "For me, this is a high recognition of my successes and achievements. Such results allow us to make sure once again that what I do really matters, and it is noticed. Of course, this is very motivating to move on and set more serious goals for yourself."

After completing her bachelor's degree, Anastasia plans to continue working in the industry. Long-term cooperation with SIBIATS JSC has developed into targeted training: the student has signed a contract and considers the company as a future place of work.

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