Elifnaz Kahraman

Hometown: Ankara, Turkiye

Undergraduate Degree: Mining Engineering

Graduate Degree: Mining Engineering (M.Sc.) Research Title: Valorization of Boron Waste as Cemented Paste Backfill for Sustainable Underground Mine

I completed my B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Mining Engineering at Middle East Technical University (METU), focusing on rock and fracture mechanics, and combining experimental observations with numerical assessments. I began my career as a Mine Planning Engineer on an underground coal project, where I built and maintained geological databases, developed 3D geological and block models, and undertook resource estimation, mine design, and long-term scheduling. I then worked in a multidisciplinary team delivering scoping, pre-feasibility, and feasibility studies for gold, iron, coal, and slate projects. In these roles, I gained experience in open-pit optimization and mine design; developing operating scenarios for waste-rock storage, heap-leach facilities, and site infrastructure; equipment selection and production scheduling; preparing project capital and operating cost estimates with sensitivity analyses; and drafting the mining sections of technical reports.

At Virginia Tech, I will work with Dr. Pandey to investigate the use of boron waste as a cemented paste backfill for underground mining. The work will be led by numerical analysis, developing material behavior models to predict flow, pumpability, and strength development. Experiments will be conducted to validate these models and understand the effect of waste mineralogy on curing properties.

Outside of my academics, I value spending time with my family and friends. Traveling allows me to immerse myself in new cultures and discover diverse cuisines, experiences that continually broaden my outlook. I find it deeply inspiring to meet people from different backgrounds and to learn from their perspectives. I also enjoy savoring unhurried meals and meaningful conversations, and I love recreating my favorite dishes at home.