Biographical Details
I specialise in combating financial fraud and enhancing financial resilience through applied research in AI, blockchain, digital finance, financial literacy, and MSME finance. My work integrates advanced analytics, regulatory insight, and policy development to strengthen financial systems and protect consumers in rapidly evolving digital environments.
Across academic and leadership roles in Australia and Kazakhstan, I have served as Principal Investigator for the National Bank of Kazakhstan on national‑level research into digital financial fraud and as Director of the Digital Finance, Crypto Assets and Blockchain Research Centre at SDU University. My research has been featured by global institutions including the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations, and the IFC/World Bank Group.
An award‑winning researcher and educator, I received both the ICSB Best Paper Award and the ICSB Presidential Award for contributions to MSME finance and innovation. I also bring strong governance experience. For two years, I served as Treasurer and Board Member of a Sydney‑based not‑for‑profit organisation, contributing to financial oversight and community‑focused strategic initiatives. During this time, I received Certificates of Appreciation from the Commonwealth Bank (2020 and 2021) for my contribution to the Australian community.
I have also served as Associate Editor of the Journal of the International Council for Small Business (JICSB), supporting impactful research at the intersection of MSMEs, entrepreneurship, policy, and sustainability. I actively supervise HDR candidates and emerging scholars in financial fraud mitigation, entrepreneurial finance, financial literacy, MSME finance, blockchain applications, and digital transformation.
My leadership extends to strategy advisory roles across higher education and research ecosystems, strengthening my ability to guide institutions navigating digital disruption, financial innovation, and regulatory change.
As a consultant, I advise government agencies, regulators, financial institutions, and industry bodies on financial fraud prevention, MSME finance, digital assets regulation, blockchain‑enabled solutions, and financial literacy frameworks. My goal is to help organisations build evidence‑based strategies, mitigate emerging risks, and design future‑ready financial systems.
I am also the co‑author of Financial Planning and Personal Finance: Australia and New Zealand Edition (Cengage ANZ), advocating for accessible and modern financial literacy education.