A motivated undergraduate student from ITMO University, specializing in Language Models and Artificial Intelligence, with practical experience in international business operations. Combines academic knowledge in AI (including coursework from Duke University) with a hands-on role as a manager at an international timber company, handling logistics and market operations across the Russian Federation. A culturally adaptable individual with a lifelong familiarity with Arabic cultures and previous participation in an international winter school in the UAE. Now seeking to deepen understanding of African innovation ecosystems to inform a future career path toward a Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence and explore emerging market opportunities.
Iana Smirnova
IT Student
Summary
Work Experience
TOPOL LLC (Timber industry / Logging and forestry) - Russian Federation
Manager
February 2025 - Now
- Manage and coordinate logistics for timber supply operations across domestic and international markets.
- Oversee contract execution, shipment scheduling, and documentation to ensure timely deliveries.
- Maintain communication with suppliers, transport companies, and clients to streamline operational workflows.
- Monitor market trends and assist in strategic planning for business development.
DataLight LLC (IT company specializing in data labeling, collection, and moderation for AI models) - Russian Federation
LLM Data Annotation Specialist (Self-Employed / Freelance)
February 2026 - Now
- Currently undergoing training in data annotation for Large Language Models (LLMs) to support the development and fine-tuning of AI systems.
- Learning to work with specialized tools and guidelines for text markup, quality assessment, and data moderation.
- Developing attention to detail and understanding of data quality standards critical for training accurate machine learning models.
Skills
Technical / AI & Data
Currently training in LLM data annotation (text markup, quality assessment)
Data visualization methods
Understanding of Machine Learning fundamentals
Basic knowledge of Python programming
Business & Management
Understanding of legal aspects in startups (university coursework)
Strategic planning and market monitoring
Logistics coordination and supply chain operations
Contract execution and documentation
International market operations (Russian Federation)
Soft Skills
Culturally adaptable — extensive experience in Arabic countries
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Problem-solving mindset
Attention to detail
Education
ITMO University, Saint Petersburg
Language Models and Artificial Intelligence - Bachelor's Degree of Applied Informatics
2024 - 2028
• Currently a second-year undergraduate student specializing in artificial intelligence and language models
• Studying core subjects including object-oriented programming, data visualization methods, design and implementation of databases, and programming
• Academic focus on the societal impact of AI technologies and intelligent systems
Languages
Russian:
Mother Tongue
English:
Upper-Intermediate
Courses and Certificates
Introduction to Machine Learning
Duke University, United States of America (via Coursera)
Gained foundational understanding of key machine learning models, including:
- Logistic regression
- Multilayer perceptrons
- Convolutional neural networks (CNNs)
- Natural language processing (NLP)
Explored real-world applications across industries such as medical diagnostics, image recognition, and text prediction. Developed hands-on experience implementing machine learning algorithms on datasets using PyTorch, a framework widely adopted by leading tech companies including Google and NVIDIA.
Currently completing the course.
Expected completion: April 2026
Winter Study Tour: AI in Society
Ajman University, United Arab Emirates
- Selected to participate in an intensive international program focused on the social impact and applications of artificial intelligence.
- Engaged in lectures and workshops exploring AI ethics, emerging technologies, and their role in shaping future societies.
- Collaborated with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, gaining global perspective on AI development.
- Demonstrated strong motivation and interest in AI by pursuing this opportunity independently alongside academic and work commitments.
Dates: January 25 - 31, 2026
Volunteering
Online English Teacher (Beginner Level)
Self-Initiated Volunteer Project Remote Dates: October 2025 - December 2025
• Provided online English language tutoring to pupils.
• Helped learners improve speaking and listening comprehension skills, prepared learning materials, and communicated regularly with students via a dedicated online chat.
• Developed strong communication, teaching, and organizational skills.