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Director at NSRI · Aktobe, Kazakhstan

Maratova
Aruzhan

Cybersecurity researcher & CTF Player

16-year-old researcher from Kazakhstan building a career in cybersecurity — CTF competitions, linux systems, competitive programming, and leading a global research chapter. Targeting MIT.

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Aruzhan Maratova — Cybersecurity Researcher

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16Years Old

3Languages

10+Years in Tech

30+Competitions Won

1Brain for everything

Profile

About me

Maratova Aruzhan is a grade 10 student at Aqbobek International School in Aktobe, Kazakhstan. At 16, she has carved out a distinct identity as a cybersecurity enthusiast, CTF player, competitive programmer and a director at National Student Research Institute — advancing from Ambassador to Director in just 44 days, one of the fastest in NSRI history.

Trilingual in Kazakh, Russian, and English. Passionate about FPV drones, electronics, lock-picking, rubik's cube and guitar.

Location: Aktobe, Kazakhstan
School: Aqbobek International School
Grade: 10th · Class of 2027
Languages: Kazakh · Russian · English
Specialties: Informatics & Mathematics
Interests: Cybersecurity · Electronics · Drones · Guitar

Aruzhan coding — Looking like a real hacker (lol)

Expertise

Top skills

Five domains built through years of competitions, research, and self-directed study — each backed by real results.

Cybersecurity

Network security, vulnerability analysis, offensive and defensive techniques — cryptography, web exploitation, reverse engineering.

Network SecurityCryptographyReverse EngineeringWeb Exploitation

Linux & systems

Command-line fluency, shell scripting, system administration, WSL setup, and embedded linux on Raspberry Pi 4B.

Bash / ShellRaspberry Pi 4BWSLSystem admin

Competitive programming

problem-solving in C++, Python, Kotlin. 31st of 1000+ at iCode (AITU). City & regional olympiad medals.

C++PythonKotlinAlgorithms

CTF competitions

Binary exploitation, web challenges, steganography, OSINT — building a real-world offensive security mindset through competition.

Binary exploitationWeb CTFSteganographyOSINT

Leadership & research

director at NSRI — managing a global research chapter, recruiting students, coordinating PhD mentors across 93+ countries.

chapter managementResearch methodsMentorship

Setting up WSL — setting up WSL on my laptop

LinuxOperating systemsC++Python GitHTMLCSSJavaScript ArduinoBashKotlinRaspberry pi Powershell

Language proficiency

Kazakh

native

Russian

fluent

English

advanced

Work

Projects & builds

Hardware and software builds — embedded systems, circuit design, and linux experiments.

C++ · Arduino · Soldering · Automatization · Embedded Systems

Automated gate system

Designed and built a fully automated gate using Arduino — circuit design, motor control, sensor integration, and embedded C++ from scratch. Independently debugged all hardware faults.

ArduinoC++Servo motorsSensors

C++ · Arduino · Soldering · RFID · Embedded Systems

RFID access reader

Built a functional RFID access control reader — integrating RFID modules with a microcontroller, implementing card authentication and I2C/SPI communication protocols.

RFIDI2C/SPIC++Access control

Linux · Raspberry Pi · Networking

Raspberry pi 4B lab

Ongoing embedded linux work — network security experiments, shell scripting, and low-level system administration. Used as a platform for CTF and security research.

Raspberry Pi 4BLinuxBashPython

Electronics · RF · Soldering

Radio implementation

Independently built a radio communication system from scratch — studied RF fundamentals, assembled hardware, and configured frequencies. A deep dive into wireless communication at the physical layer.

RF electronicsHardware assemblySignal processing

Electronics · PCB · Hardware

Circuit building & soldering

PCB soldering and circuit construction — through-hole and SMD component placement, continuity testing, and fault diagnosis. Used across robotics builds and personal hardware projects.

SolderingPCB assemblyMultimeterCircuit design

Hardware · Diagnostics · Repair

Troubleshooting computer hardware

Diagnosed and repaired hardware faults at component level — identifying issues, replacing parts, and documenting the process. Systems knowledge that extends beyond software.

HardwareDiagnosticsComponent Repair

Recognition

Competitions & awards

Real results across robotics, drone racing, programming olympiads, and engineering challenges.

2nd Place

World Space Olympiad

Astana, Kazakhstan · Team AXIS

Competed in national finals with team AXIS — engineering design, scientific research presentation, and technical defence before an expert judging panel.

1st Place

Regional robotics competition

First place at regional robotics championship.

3rd Place

Regional programming olympiad

Third place at regional competitive programming olympiad.

1st Place

Local programming olympiad

First place at local competitive programming competition.

31st / 1000+

iCode contest · AITU

Reached 31st place among 1000+ participants at Astana IT University's iCode programming contest.

Finalist

UAV Code Challenge · AITU

Awards at UAV drone programming competition.

Finalist

Batys First Championship

Competed in regional robotics championship.

Certifications

ML & AI Certificate — ML & AI Engineering

Space Robotics Certificate — Space Robotics (arduino)

KazRoboDrone 2.0 Certificate — KazRoboDrone 2.0 Finals

NSRI Ambassador Certificate — NSRI Ambassador

In Action

KazRockets — pressure experiment

Pizza Pitch Finals — Pizza Pitch Competition Finals

Technovation social impact project

Organization

National Student
Research Institute

152+Active Chapters

93+Countries

3,584Active Researchers

64Papers Published

456+Professors

$10KResearch Prize

102Research Groups

649KImpressions

My Role

I was accepted as a School Ambassador on January 17, 2026 and then promoted to School Director on March 2, 2026 — within just 44 days. As Director at AIS, I build the chapter, recruit students, and connect AIS with NSRI's global network of 152+ chapters.

Apply as a Researcher Join Discord

Students receiving awards — Students receiving their awards at the robotics competition I organized

Fighting robots — built by my students

NSRI Lead Researcher

Lead a team of up to five through a full research project to publication. Recommended for students with prior publications or major awards.

Apply as Lead Researcher

NSRI Researcher

Join an existing team and work toward publication. Open to high school students — no prior experience required. Proof of action matters more than background.

Apply as Researcher

Background

Academic journey

March 2026 — Present

Director at NSRI

National Student Research Institute · AIS Chapter

Promoted to director within just 44 days. Managing chapter growth, student recruitment, and global NSRI coordination at AIS.
January 2026

NSRI School Ambassador

National Student Research Institute · Global

Accepted into NSRI's global ambassador program. Began building NSRI presence at AIS, Aktobe.
January 2025 — May 2027

Aqbobek International School (AIS)

Aktobe, Kazakhstan · Grades 9–11

Arduino engineering, embedded software, drone simulator competitions (DCL, LiftOff), and public speaking.
September 2016 — December 2025

Secondary School-Gymnasium No. 32

Named after M. Kurmangaliyeva · Grades 1–9

Debate Club, Robotics (LEGO EV3, Spike Prime, WEDO 2.0), Programming Olympiads. Nine years building CS foundations.