I graduated from Middle East Technical University - Northern Cyprus Campus (METU-NCC) - Mechanical Engineering Department as the 1st Ranking Student in Engineering and Natural Sciences Programs. Subsequently, I continued my Master of Science education at Bilkent University - Mechanical Engineering Department as a member of Micro Nano Integrated Fluids (MiNI) Research Laboratory under the supervision of Prof. E. Yegan Erdem. I joined The University of Texas at Austin - Department of Mechanical Engineering and Cancer Engineering and Theranostics Lab and Center for Computational Oncology (CCO) in 2015 for my doctoral degree under the supervisions of Drs. Marissa Nichole Rylander and Thomas E. Yankeelov. Currently, I am working at Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University as a postdoctoral research fellow under the supervision of Dr. Donald E. Ingber to create gastrointestinal disease models using organ-on-a-chips. These projects are funded by CRUK Grand Challenges, FDA and BARDA.

As a bioengineer, my expertise is in the development of novel disease models, microfluidic platforms for nanoparticle synthesis, single-cell isolation. My current interests include modeling hepatic and gastrointestinal diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma, inflammatory bowel diseases, inflammation-associated adenocarcinoma, and acute radiation syndrome using organ-on-a-chips. These patient-specific disease models are utilized to identify the role of intracellular heterogeneity, potential biomarkers, and target genes/pathways, assess therapeutic efficacy and non-targeted therapeutic toxicity. 

Postgraduate Training:

Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University (Gastrointestinal Diseases and Mucosal Immunity), Ongoing

Education:

Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, 2020

M.S., Bilkent University, 2015

B.S., Middle East Technical University - NCC, 2013

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Awards and Honors (Selected):

Wyss Institute - Harvard University

• Organ Design and Engineering Training (ODET) Fellowship from BWH & NIBIB (2024)

• Poster of Distinction Award from American Gastroenterological Association - Digestive Diseases Week (2024)

• Runner-up of Visions of Wyss Image Contest from Wyss Institute (2023)

• Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) from the National Institutes of Health (2022)

• Participation Award at ASME-SB3C-2021

UT Austin

• Inside Back Cover Image selection by Small Structures, Wiley, Inc (2023)

• Best Paper Award at Center of Excellence for Functional Surfaces and Interfaces for Nano Diagnostics (2023)

• Runner-up of Excellence in Medical Image Award at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (2021)

• Ph.D. Student Paper Competition Finalist in Biotransport - ASME - SB3C (2020)

• 3rd Place in Cover Art Contest - ASME - SB3C (2020)

• Professional Development Award at The University of Texas at Austin (2019)

• Graduate and Industry Networking (GAIN) 2019 Mechanical Engineering Research Award in The University of Texas at Austin (2019)

• The Graduate Engineering Council (GEC) Travel Grant in The University of Texas at Austin (2018)

Bilkent University

• The Outstanding Poster Award in Emerging Technologies Track in InterPACK / ICNMM 2015 Conference (2015)

• Full Tuition Fee Waiver & Departmental Scholarship - Bilkent University (2013 - 2015)

METU - NCC

• Graduated as 1st Ranking Student in METU - NCC Engineering and Natural Sciences Programs (2013)

• 6 Times Merit Student and Scholarship at METU - NCC (2009 - 2013)

• 5 Times High Honor Role Student at METU - NCC (2009 - 2013)

• Full Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarship  - METU - NCC (2009 - 2013)

• Von Karman Institute Support Scholarship for Short Training Program Research (2012)

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