About PI

Media
Hasan DEMIRCI, Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Meet the Team

I received my BSc. in Chemistry from Ege University, Turkey in 2006 and M.Sc. in Cancer Pharmacology from Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford, UK in 2008. Then, I worked at major Turkish pharmaceutical companies (i.e. Neutec, Bilim and Deva) as an R&D senior scientist to manage all technical aspects of the product development processes. After working for 4 years at major pharmaceutical companies, I chose to return to my academic career at the School of Pharmacy in Kumamoto University, Japan in 2012 as a Japanese Government (MEXT) PhD scholar to develop anti-cancer and anti-HIV drug candidates. I received my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2016 and immediately after, I began working as a JSPS (Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the same school. During my postdoc, I had a close collaboration with Stanford PULSE Institute for SFX-based drug development. In 2017, we (together with professor Masami Otsuka) entered the TECH PLANTER start-up business project competition with a project named as “Finding a Cure for HIV and AIDS by the New Treatment” and received two awards (Special Award, and Hakuzo Medical Award) in Japan. Subsequently, we launched a start-up company in 2018 named Science Farm Ltd. together with professor Masami Otsuka and Mr. Kataoka Yoshitomo to commercialize our patented drugs through pharmaceutical companies. In 2019, our company opened a new department at the School of Pharmacy in Kumamoto University called “Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory''. I am currently working as Vice President of this company to make Japanese drugs accessible in Turkey and also leading anti-HIV, anti-cancer and anti-ALS drug development studies at Koc University KUYBIIGM as a Visiting Researcher.

✉ hciftci@ku.edu.tr

Halilibrahim CIFTCI, Ph.D.
Visiting Researcher

I completed my Bachelor’s degree at Sakarya University Department of Chemistry in 2004 and my Master’s degree, at Department of Organic Chemistry at the same university in 2006. I mainly focused on N-Alkylation of the aromatic amines which contains hetero atom, determination of their structures by NMR spectroscopy and Charge-Transfer Complex Studies of the final products. Later on, I have worked about analytical and formulation development at R&D departments of the different generic pharmaceutical companies for 15 years. Now, I have been working at Sanovel İlaç as Formulation Development Manager for 6 months.

I am searching an answer for the question “How can I develop original product instead of generic product” with the help of my background. To improve myself and survive in this challenging & growing development area I would like to learn new technologies & ideas.

My aim is to find and isolate a new molecule from the natural sources are available in Turkey, see the activities of them in the cancer cells, determine the structure of it, if it is possible try in some pharmaceutical dosage forms in laboratory size.

Who knows, maybe one day it can be commercialized with sme other collaborations.

✉ fatak21@ku.edu.tr

Bilgehan ATAK, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Student

She completed her undergraduate studies at Guilan University, Iran in 2010. After graduation, she got admitted to the MSc program in cellular and developmental biology at the Department of Biology, Azad University of Tehran North, Iran. Her master thesis was mainly focused on Mesenchymal Stem cell treatment for sciatic nerve injury - at Neuroscience Research Center, BMSU. In 2020, she joined KUYBIIG-M. Currently, she is interested to study and deepen her knowledge in structural biology.

✉ alalehshafieikamel@gmail.com

Alaleh SHAFIEI, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Student

I finished my B.Sc. at Gebze Technical University in 2017 and subsequently earned a master’s degree in molecular biology and genetics from Gebze Technical University in 2020. During my master's degree, I worked on various projects in the immunogenetics laboratory in the Tubitak marmara research center as a member of the downstream process team. Generally, I have experience in protein engineering subjects, mainly characterization. I have expertise in techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR), fast protein liquid chromatography(FPLC), high-pressure liquid chromatography(HPLC), and ultra-pressure liquid chromatography(UPLC). I have experience with Molecular Dynamics (MD), docking and R for biostatistics. I am a PhD student at Koç University right now.

✉ ntgyte@gmail.com

Nurettin TOKAY, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Student

I completed B.Sc. at Üsküdar University in department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. I also double majored in Bioengineering. During my undergraduate, I was a member of PROMER (Protein Research Development and Innovation Application and Research Center) as scholarship research student for 2 years. I took responsibility in both Microbial Biotechnology and Advanced Protein analysis laboratories. I have been working on effects of psychoactive drugs on microbiota using experimental animal models. I completed two internship at Yeditepe University in the department of Medical Biology and Ankara University Biotechnology Institute. After that, I started M.Sc. in Pharmacology at Marmara University. During my master studies, I got chance to go to University of Malta department of Pharmacy via Erasmus in 2020. Finally, I started Molecular Biology and Genetic Ph.D. program at Koç University in 2021. My aim is to work on structure based drug discovery and drug design studies.

✉ gusta21@ku.edu.tr

Gözde KARAKADIOGLU
Ph.D. Student

Jerome finished his undergraduate at WSU in Utah in 2017 were he studied microbiology. During his undergrad, Jerome studied brinefish under Nicole Berthelemy and worked at ARUP Laboratories as a histology tech. In the summer of 2017 Jerome joined Peace Corps where he spent two years teaching Physics, Math, and English in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar. Following his two year service, Jerome joined the Albayrak Lab in Koç University studying Hydrogenase. Jerome recently joined KUYBIIG-M as a Chemical and Biological Engineering PhD candidate.

✉ jjohnson19@ku.edu.tr

Jerome Johnson
Ph.D. Student

Following the earning BSc degree in physics from Uludağ University in 2009, I started the MSc program and worked on MRI thermometry method and earned a degree in 2012. Same year joined the PhD program at Selcuk University. In the context of my PhD research, I presented the real-time distinguishing of the xylene isomers using homemade time of flight mass spectrometry system. I joined KUYBIIG-M in 2021 under 2218 domestic postdoctoral research fellowship program to design and produce a miniature TOF-MS system to investigate ionization processes and material characterization.

✉ abdullahkepceoglu@gmail.com

Abdullah KEPCEOGLU, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral researcher

I studied Molecular Biology and Genetics at Koç University, finished in 2017. Then, I got an MSc. in Pharmacology, from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. During my studies there, I have completed an internship program in Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, in a basic sciences lab, working on CPT1C, a neuron-specific isoform or CPT1 protein. In February 2020, I started my Ph.D. at KUYBIIG-M. My aim is to have a better understanding of how neurological processes work in the human body.

✉ oguven@ku.edu.tr

Omur GUVEN, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Student

Esra has joined Koc in 2020. She completed her B.Sc. at Selcuk University Department of Biology. After that, she started to study at the Selçuk University Advanced Technology Research and Application Center, Department of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials for 2 years. During her education at R&D Lab, she joined several projects related to cancer supported by TÜBİTAK. After that, she started to study at the Gebze Technical University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics for a while. Meanwhile, she worked on Huntington's Disease using gene manipulation techniques. And then, she worked on Alzheimer's Disease using nano-LC-MS/MS Neuro-Metaproteomics analysis method and completed her M.Sc. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Acıbadem University. Finally, she started her Ph.D. studies at Koc University. She is planning to work on the structural biology of neurodegeneration.

✉ esrayan91@gmail.com

Esra AYAN, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Student

Betul received her B.S. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Istanbul University. During her undergraduate studies, she joined Panakova Lab at Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Germany as a summer intern. In 2017, she enrolled in the Erasmus+ internship program at the University of Copenhagen. Her B.S thesis was concentrated upon “the use of circulating microRNAs as a biomarker for early diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer.” In 2019, she started her graduate studies at Koc University.

✉ fertem19@ku.edu.tr

Betul ERTEM
Ph.D. Student

I completed my B.Sc. in the department of Bioengineering at Uskudar University in 2020 and I double majored in Molecular Biology and Genetics. During my undergraduate studies, I focused on structural biology and worked about protein-protein or protein-ligand interactions via molecular dynamic simulations. I completed two internships in the department of Bioechemisty at Cambridge University via Erasmus in 2018 and 2019. In my first internship, I worked on analysis of structural and functional consequences of mutations in DNA Ligase IV, experiencing Cryo-Em technology and in my second internship, I worked on disordered complexes: Histone H1 as Model System via NMR technology. I started Ph.D. in 2020 and my aim during my Ph.D is to focus on structure and dynamic studies by expanding my knowledge with Koç University.

✉ edestan20@ku.edu.tr

Ebru DESTAN
Ph.D. Student

I obtained my B.Sc degree at Boğaziçi University on Chemistry in 2021, with a double major with Molecular Biology and Genetics. At my university, I worked as undergraduate research assistant at two labs focusing on synthesis of novel hydrogels for mineralization and novel drug synthesis for liver studying with cytochrome p450, respectively. Also during my undergraduate studies, I have been to Sungkyunkwan University as part of summer exchange program in 2017. In 2019, thanks to Erasmus, I worked as a member of IMPRES Lab at University of Antwerp studying on molecular physiology of maize plant. I started my graduate studies at Koç University in 2021.

✉ iyapici21@ku.edu.tr

İlkin YAPICI
Ph.D. Student

I have obtained my BSc degree from Koç University Molecular Biology and Genetics department in 2021 and have currently been pursuing my education at Koç University as a PhD student. I am an affiliated interdisciplinary student of both Koç University İşbank Center for Infectious Diseases (KUISCID) and Koç University Structural Biology & Innovative Drug Development Center (KUYBIIG-M). My research focuses on the protein structure of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) as well as the immunological cell response towards the virus of which are being experimented in Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory.

✉ znergiz16@ku.edu.tr

Zeliş NERGIZ
Ph.D. Student

I completed my B.Sc degree at Izmir Institute of Technology chemistry department in 2021. During my undergrad education, I worked on the synthesis of endo-cyclic enyne epoxides and their iron-mediated reactions with Grignard reagents. I started my PhD at Koç University in 2022.

✉ nbaldir22@ku.edu.tr

Nilufer Baldir
Ph.D. Student

In 2022, I earned a B.Sc degree from the department of molecular biology and genetics at Yildiz Technical University. I worked on recombinant DNA technology while I was an undergraduate student. My project got accepted under the TUBITAK 2209 University Student Research Projects Support Program. Cloning of cDNA encoding the B-glucosidase enzyme from Pichia pastoris was the topic of my project. I completed my summer internship at Biofarma Pharmaceutical Company's R&D department. As part of the ``TUBITAK Intern Researcher Scholarship (STAR)`` program, I joined Assist. Prof. Hasan Demirci's research team at the Koc University Structural Biology and Innovative Drug Development Center during my last year of undergrad. I focused on B-cell lymphoma 2 apoptotic regulator protein (Bcl-2) structural research. Currently, I'm a Ph.D. candidate at Koç University!!

✉ meyilmaz22@ku.edu.tr

Merve YILMAZ
Ph.D. student

I completed my B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Istanbul Technical University. During my undergraduate studies, I did internships at German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Middle East Technical University. I am very happy to be a member of KUYBIIG-M family.

✉ btosun22@ku.edu.tr

Bilge TOSUN
Ph.D. student

My interest in nature led me to biology and as a result, I graduated from Hacettepe University Biology Department in 2022. In my undergraduate life, I expanded my perspective in different fields such as biotechnology, microbiology, archaeobotany, conservation biology, ecology and forensic sciences. My philosophy of continuing my life by learning united me with the KUYBIIG-M team in 2023. I am happy to work with such a team.

✉ eduzgun23@ku.edu.tr

Eda DUZGUN
Ph.D. student

Mehmet completed his B.Sc. degree on Molecular Biology and Genetics at Istanbul Technical University. During his undergraduate studies, he worked on “Investigation of ATP Hydrolysis Mechanisms in Hsp70 Using QM/MM Methods”. In addition, he participated in a scientific project “Activity and Thermal Stability Enhancement of Formate Dehydrogenase” at Bezmialem Vakıf University Medical Biochemistry Laboratory. After starting his M.Sc. studies at Middle East Technical University, he has joined KUYBIM as an M.Sc. candidate in February 2021.

✉ mgul21@ku.edu.tr

Mehmet GUL
M.Sc. Student

Hello, I'm Cahine Kulakman. I graduated from Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. During my undergraduate studies, I conducted several internships and took part in TUBITAK research 2209/A project. While doing these, I witnessed the fascinating effect of science. So, I realized that I wouldn’t get bored of following the world of science, and I decided to be a part of this world. Therefore, I’ve started to follow the studies at Koç University Structural Biology and Innovative Drug Development Center (KUYBIIG-M), where structural biology studies are carried out in the most comprehensive way in Turkey. It is a great chance to be part of the team.

✉ ckulakman22@ku.edu.tr

Cahine KULAKMAN
MSc student

I received my BSc. in Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering from Sabancı University in 2022. I previously worked in my undergraduate study focusing mostly on genetics part of my studies. These include mandatory graduation with the thesis of ``Disease prevalence in anatolian honey bees`` infected with varroa parasite `` and an internship in a genetic disorder diagnosis center. I always wanted to learn more about the processes that are determined by genes and proteins that are the most crucial in the inner workings of the cell and organism as a whole. By joining the team of KUYBIIG-M I can work on this more thoroughly.

✉ cferah22@ku.edu.tr

Cengiz Kaan FERAH
MSc student

I am studying molecular biology and genetics at Boğaziçi University. I am interested in the interaction of proteins with drugs and increasing the efficiency of the drugs. I am very excited to be a part of KUYBIIG-M. Here, I want to learn the structure of proteins and their relationship better to achieve my goal.

✉ goktug.ince@boun.edu.tr

Goktug INCE
Undergraduate student

I am a molecular biology and genetics student since 2018. I am an active member in clubs of different universities as well as being in the management of the general club, which is the genetics club of Istanbul Arel University. In December 2021, I had the opportunity to join the KUYBIIG-M team thanks to the TÜBİTAK STAR-2247 C program, and I am full of excitement that I will use this privilege to the fullest and contribute something to myself and therefore to the team. I'll probably still consider myself a student, even if my title changes in a few decades. Because science demands this: it wants to devote myself to it for whole my life, to sleep with it, to have a constant dream, to heal, to grow, to develop, and most importantly, not to give up. I can't talk about myself anymore when I talk about science, because I'm not the one who's permanent, it's him. But here in KUYBIIG-M, I'm here to put on my white coat and blue gloves and chase my dreams. Science, together!

✉ nazliarslan@ku.edu.tr

Nazli ARSLAN
Undergraduate student

My interest in transcription, translation and proteins had started when I was in high school. I amazed by how the human brain works and I want to find out how the mind came to be. I aim to work on the fields of protein-protein and protein ligand interactions, cell signalling, connectome and artificial neural networks. Currently, I am an undergraduate student in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Gebze Technical University. In addition, I continue my studies on organoids and drug screening at University of Health Sciences Validebağ Research Park, and protein structure and X-ray crystallography at KUYBIM.

✉ n.atalay2018@gtu.edu.tr

Necati ATALAY
Undergraduate student

I major in molecular biology and genetics at Yıldız Technical University since 2019. I have conducted internships in different fields such as cancer genetics, medical biology and genetics, microbiology, and genetic engineering. I am also a part of two astrobiology research groups and a polar research group. I am mostly interested in astrobiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics but I don’t like to limit myself to these fields, I love learning and discovering different aspects of science. Science is my main passion, every field of science fascinates me. As someone who loves science and research, I’m so happy to be a part of the KUYBIIG-M Team.

✉ kardelensabanoglu@gmail.com

Kardelen SABANOGLU
Undergraduate student

I am studying molecular biology and genetics at Istanbul Technical University. Also, l am a member of the Istanbul Tech iGEM team working in the R&D department. During my whole life, I have examined and questioned the molecular extent of life. Afterward, I realized that researching and understanding the structure and function of biological molecules is my passion. And now, I want to follow that passion at KUYBIIG-M, to learn, to achieve, and to reach...

✉ enverkamilakcan@gmail.com

Enver Kamil AKCAN
Undergraduate Student

I study Biology at Istanbul University. Currently, I am in the prep class. Since my childhood, I have always been interested in science. Therefore, I wanted to start exploring the world of biology even before starting my department courses. I became a member of KUYBIIG-M in 2023 because it is one of the best labs to improve my scientific skills.

✉ gulberkayy14@gmail.com

Berkay GUL
Undergraduate student

Haluk is a senior-year molecular biology and genetics student in koç university with a minor in chemistry, his past experiences includes working in a cell division laboratories focusing on yeast, his second affiliated laboratory othrr than KUYBIIG-M is the Biotechnology and Circadoan Clock Lab of Koç University. He is currently interning in two laboratories as his projects are collaboration projects, his academic interests include drug discovery, drug mechanism discovery and enzyme kinetics in addition to a passion for teaching as he has two terms of tutoring experience in Koç University office of Learning and Teaching with the topic ``Introduction to Coding with Python``.

✉ hcetinok18@ku.edu.tr

Haluk CETINOK
Undergraduate student

I study Molecular Biology and Genetics at Koç University. Studying genetics and being in a laboratory have been my dreams since I was a child. Being here and also being a part of KUYBIM makes me feel like I am at the place that I always belong to. I wish that in future I will memorise this experience as one of the initial steps of my career.

✉ stavli20@ku.edu.tr

Serra TAVLI
Undergraduate student

I am currently a medicine student at Istanbul Medipol University. During my intercourse with science, I have concluded that, for us living entities, the only absolute thing could be the information of the stuff we call molecules. So, where can we find the key to the absolute? Exactly: KUYBIIG-M.

✉ ibrahim.coskun@std.medipol.edu.tr

Serdar COSKUN
Undergraduate student

My name is Deniz Biçer and I am senior student in Molecular Biology and Genetics at IzTECH. I am keen on structural biology, CryoEM and Protein Crystallography. I previously worked in Bioengineering department at IzTECH on HIV Capsid and Uppsala University on structure-based drug design projects using CryoEM. My primary interest is the understanding molecular mechanisms of membrane proteins which are key players in several physiological processes using integrative structural biology approach in which CryoEM, crystallography and MD simulations as main tools.

✉ 202300666@post.au.dk

Deniz BICER
Undergraduate student

I am undergraduate student at Bogazici University Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. Before choosing this field, I decided to contribute my country in pharmaceuticals sector. Additionally, innovative drug development processes always impressed me since millions of people suffering from numerous diseases that might be cured via our research&developments. In order to make Turkiye a pioneer country in drug research&development, I decided to be intern in this lab with its huge opportunities which are not available in most of the laboratories around. After completing my internship in another bioanalytical research laboratory, I started my internship in here, KUYBIIG-M, to reach my goals and contributing my nation in pharmaceuticals sector. Do not hesitate to contact me, because I would be really pleased to hear new ideas, projects, or questions from anyone.

✉ altan.tekgul@boun.edu.tr

Altan TEKGUL
Undergraduate student

I am a sophomore student at Boğaziçi University Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. I’ve been amazed by the nature, especially by the living things, since I was a kid. I am currently interested in the origin of life, how chemistry turned into biology. Here at Koç University Structural Biology & Innovative Drug Development Center (KUYBIIG-M), during my internship, I desire to learn more about the chemistry and the structure of proteins, the fundamental components of life.

✉ ali.ergul@boun.edu.tr

Ali ERGUL
Undergraduate student

In 2023, I received my undergraduate degree from Yıldız Technical University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. As an undergraduate student, I studied the effect of anthracnose fruit rot caused by colletotrichum spp. on transposons within the scope of TÜBİTAK 2209 project. In the last year of my undergraduate education, I started working in the KUYBIIG-M laboratory as part of the TÜBİTAK Intern Research Scholarship (STAR) project. I am very happy to be a part of the KUYBIIG-M family.

✉ kevserkilic27@gmail.com

Kevser KILIC
Undergraduate student

My name is Zilan. I am an undergraduate student at Boğaziçi University MBG Department. My dream was to work in a versatile lab and find a better solution to a problem. In the future, I want to combine biology and other sciences to find solutions to problems.

✉ zilangokce@gmail.com

Zilan GOKCE
Undergraduate student

I completed my bachelor's degree in Bioengineering at Yildiz Technical University in 2023. Throughout my student life, I have worked in the biotechnology, technology and pharmaceutical sectors.These were Geen, Apple and Eczacıbaşı, which are very successful companies. All my life, I have not only been attending classes, but I have constantly asked what more I can do in the areas that I am passionate about, and I still ask and get opportunities where I can improve them. It is impossible to silence the constantly curious girl child in me. I did not choose this profession by chance. When I was a little girl, when they asked me what would you like to be, I used to tell them that I would solve the brain. This curiosity of mine then became how information is transmitted, communication between cells, neurons, and moreover the smallest molecules in the cell, atoms, subatomic particles Dec. Improving patients with the right treatments, and more importantly, making it possible without the disease is one of my biggest goals. I am very happy to be a part of Hasan Demirci and his team. Just we need to more imagine then to make them possible… As it was said in the movie The Martian, ‘We're gonna have to science the sh*t of this’…

✉ milenapelingun@gmail.com

Milena Pelin GUN
Undergraduate student

I am an undergraduate student in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Bogazici University. I have always had an interest in life science for as long as I can remember and I was always very motivated to work in this field, thus, I chose this department. With the time passing, I wanted to put my motivation and energy into practice with a team work. Since this laboratory attracted my attention, I started my first practical experience with the KUYBIIG-M team and I am extremely happy to be here.

✉ ceren.kaya1@boun.edu.tr

Ceren KAYA
Undergraduate student

I am a freshman student at Boğaziçi University studying Molecular Biology and Genetics. I am passionate about understanding the intricate mechanisms of life and how they contribute to the development of organisms. My goal is to collaborate with like-minded scientists and make significant contributions to the field of epigenetics and structural biology. I am excited to learn and develop my skills in the coming years.

✉ irem.soylu@boun.edu.tr

Irem SOYLU
Undergraduate student

I am an undergraduate student in Biomedical Engineering at TOBB ETÜ University. I worked on an optical dissolved oxygen sensor in my graduation project and it has been chosen first place. I completed my internship at Biotechnology and Circadian Clock LAB with Prof. i. Halil Kavaklı. There, I studied small molecules related to the circadian clock. Here at KUYBIIG-M, I am looking forward to experiencing new things and learning more about structural biology.

✉ dorakemahli@gmail.com

Dora KEMAHLI
Undergraduate student

I am a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. At the threshold of my journey to become a scientist, a dream I have cherished since my childhood, I am wholeheartedly dedicated to completing my education with unwavering passion and determination. I diligently keep abreast of the latest advancements in Microbiology and Cell Biology laboratories, closely following the ongoing research and developments in these fields.

✉ eliiforhann1@gmail.com

Elif ORHAN
Undergraduate student

I completed my undergraduate education in Istanbul Kultur University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics in 2023. During my undergraduate period, I worked on Cancer Biology for 2 years. In line with my studies, I took part in the TÜBİTAK 2209-A Student Research Project. I presented a poster at the 46th International FEBS-IUBMB-PABMB joint congress held in Lisbon, Portugal. I was accepted by the Pasteur Institute within the scope of Erasmus+ Internship Mobility Program. Besides, I was the chairman of Istanbul Kultur University Molecular Biology and Genetics Club. I have done many online and physical activities with my team. At one of our events, I hosted 4 professors from the world's top 15 universities. I want to go out of the ordinary and introduce innovations by using what my undergraduate life has given me. For this purpose, I aim to leave my comfort zone, gain new experiences, and continue to improve my perspective and myself.

✉ keremyasinyildizhan@gmail.com

Kerem Yasin YILDIZHAN
Undergraduate student

I am a 4th year molecular biology and genetics undergraduate student at Gebze Technical University. Since I love my department very much, I strive to improve myself in every field. I did my internship at Sabancı University, I had a short training on nitrogen and various sensors, and various microscopes such as fluorescence and phase. I did my internship in the hematology laboratory at Gebze Technical University and had the opportunity to observe detailed research on blood cells and research on DEK protein. I became an observer student in the AZİZ SANCAR BIOLOGICAL CLOCK laboratory at Gebze Technical University, and also got informed about the biological clock. I saw the plastic production stage using bacterial cells in the Biotechnology laboratory of Gebze Technical University. I did my internship in the field of Neurosurgery at Koç University Hospital and had the opportunity to get to know the structure of the brain, spine and nerves closely by participating in various surgeries as an observer. In addition to my internships, I develop myself in the field of bioinformatics by learning python, C # and R programs. Now I am an intern at Koç University and I am learning about the structual of biology and drug development.

✉ merveryiilmaz@gmail.com

Merve ERYILMAZ
Undergraduate student

Presently, I am an undergraduate, Bioinformatics and Genetics student at Kadir Has University. I have always been interested in science. Being part of the KUYBIIG-M makes me feel so lucky because I have the opportunity to learn more about proteins and their structures.

✉ doga.erenkol@stu.khas.edu.tr

Doga ERENKOL
Undergraduate student

I am an undergraduate student at Boğaziçi University in the department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. As far as I can remember, scientific studies have always been my keen interest. To see myself in one, contributing humanity, is an achievement I have wished ever since I was a child. And to be a part of KUYBIIG-M is an excellent start to make it come true.

✉ oyku.yeldiren@boun.edu.tr

Oylu YELDIREN
Undergraduate student

Currently, I’m studying at TEV Inanc High School as a senior. I realized my interest, in the years that followed my introduction to high school, in how life works and thrives with the cascading actions of unconscious components of biochemical machines. I believe that visualizing and altering such machinery, with the help of our scientific knowledge, is a charming effort. Here at KUYBIIG-M, I hope to learn about a central component of biological systems, proteins, and how to visualize them. I plan to continue my studies learning the science and practice behind biochemical systems and their engineering, which I believe can propose many solutions for the well-being of all.

✉ ekmekcileronur@gmail.com

Onur EKMEKCILER
Undergraduate student

I am studying Molecular Biology and Genetics at Bogazici University. I am especially interested in evolution of human genome and the emergence of diseases. My main purpose of studying MBG is finding out the most effective treatment against cancer (especially lymphoma cancer) with the help of immunological system. I realized that there won’t be any effective solution for cancer treatment without solving the protein structures. Therefore, I became an intern in KUYBIIG-M to focus understanding the structure of the main actor of diseases and to learn more about drug development.

✉ 5cipekyerebasmaz@gmail.com

Ipek YEREBASMAZ
Undergraduate student

I am an undergraduate student at Boğaziçi University Molecular Biology and Genetics. I was always interested in the molecular structure of proteins and other components in cell and their functions since my high school years. I hope to explore and learn more about proteins during my internship in KUYBIIG-M lab which will give me ideas in deciding what I like studying more.

✉ ayseyeytamer@gmail.com

Ayse Ebrar YEYTAMER
Undergraduate student

I am a senior molecular biology and genetics student at Bogazici University. I am interested in bioinformatics, biostatistics and structural biology. I had the chance to gain experience in labs working on cell division, biochemistry and molecular genetics. In this lab, I believe that I will grow by combining my interest in protein with my hard work. I am extremely motivated to explore my passions and to be in this lab. In addition, I am very happy to graduate from this laboratory and then from my university as a well-equipped and inquisitive scientist.

✉ tugba.doner@boun.edu.tr

Tuğba DONER
Undergraduate student

I am an undergraduate student at Middle East Technical University. I joined several laboratory teams, such as Hacettepe University's evolutionary ecology laboratory and Middle East Technical University's ecology laboratory. I am very interested in genetics and evolutionary genetics. I am learning two different programming languages with respect to those topics I am interested in, so bioinformatics is also a fun field for me. In short, I am open to learning new fields in my major. KUYBIIG-M laboratory offers me many opportunities to practice my biochemistry and genetics knowledge and have a friendly environment.

✉ guler.elif_01@metu.edu.tr

Elif GULER
Undergraduate student

I’m an undergraduate student in Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering at Sabanci University. I was part of Sabanci IEEE Student Branch as Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society President and Vice President. I have been very passionate about nature and being part of research since I was a kid. Choosing biology to examine throughout my career makes me happy and excited as a future scientist. I love being in the Lab to experience and observe different research methods and topics, then increase my knowledge. To achieve this, I'm very glad to be a part of Koc University Structural Biology & Innovative Drug Development Center (KUYBIIG-M) as an Intern.

✉ nil.ozgen@sabanciuniv.edu

Nil Ozde OZGEN
Undergraduate student

I am studying Molecular Biology and Genetics in Koç University. I chose that department because my aim is finding permanent treatment of genetic diseases by using CRIPR Cas9 technique and reducing the side effects of existing drugs. I am excited to being part of KUYBIIG-M. It is very good place to study on structural biology which is one of the milestones of the biology.

✉ sacar19@ku.edu.tr

Selin ACAR
Undergraduate student

I am undergraduate student at Koç University,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. KUYBIIG-M offers the opportunity of this research environment that I have always wanted to experience and be a part of. Here,it will be a great occasion to better learn the protein related processes while using my chemistry and biology knowledge.

✉ nbereket19@ku.edu.tr

Nur BEREKET
Undergraduate student

Alumni

Serena OZABRAHAMYAN
MSc, Ohio State University

Merve YIGIN
PhD Student, TU Dresden

Sabri Ozkan BESLER
Ph.D. Student, University of Gothenburg

Cengizhan BUYUKDAG
Undergraduate Student, Koc University

Oktay GOCENLER
Undergraduate student, Koç University

Gokhan TANISALI, M.Sc.

Ozgur CAN
Undergraduate student. Koç University

Zeynep Sena CINAL
Undergraduate student, Bilkent University

Emre GUNGOR
Undergraduate student at Bogazici University

Gunseli YILDIRIM
Ph.D. Student

Esra MANKA
MSc. Student, Technical University of Munich

Murat Kaan SENTURK
Undergraduate student, Koç University

Baris CAKILKAYA
Ph.D. Student, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz

Busra YUKSEL
Ph.D. Student, Max Planck Institute for Biophysics

Ayşenur YILMAZ
Undergraduate Student, Boğaziçi University

Başak CANBAY
MSc Student, ITU

Damla YUKSEL
Undergraduate Student

Esra KARTAL
Undergraduate Student, Kadir Has University

Defne KARA
Bogazici University

Fatih UCAR
Entrepreneur

Elbek Javokhir KESKINOGLU
High School Student

Ayşegül PAZARCEVIREN
Undergraduate student, ITU

Bengisu ASCI
Undergraduate student, Koç University