Dr. Dariga Abilova is a political scientist from Kazakhstan, who joined INST Faculty in Fall 2022. In addition to teaching, she is also serving as Graduate Student Advisor.

Her research focuses on leadership successions, and she is currently working on turning her dissertation into a book. Her academic journey began at Nazarbayev University, where she earned her BA in Political Science and Sociology. She continued her education abroad and received her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in 2022.

Throughout her academic journey, Dariga actively engaged in teaching and mentoring her students. She has been teaching since Fall 2019, helping students grasp political theories and develop analytical skills. Through her mentorship and teaching, Dariga hopes to inspire next generation of UNT students to explore careers in international affairs.