I was born and raised in Kazakhstan, lived in Tajikistan and Russia, and traveled extensively around the Eurasian region. I am an international policy professional with twenty years of experience in multi-disciplinary projects.

I am the author, writer, illustrator (partially) and publisher of The World of Barzu, a series of children’s books about a boy named Barzu, his family, and the world of wonders and legends that surrounds him. The goal of the series is to introduce children to the region of Central Asia. Through the story, illustrations, and detailed ethnographic notes at the end of each book, I introduce readers to the diverse cultures of Central Asia, their arts, crafts, and cuisine, as well as the region’s history and contributions to global civilization.