Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Freiburg (IMTEK)

Aug 2024 – Present · Microsystems for Biomedical Imaging Laboratory, Freiburg, Germany

Photonic integrated circuits, photonics, and MRI. Part of the Light Coils team.

• Developing an optical receive chain for MRI local coils, including optical interrogation, optical power delivery, and optical detuning.
• Designing a photonic integrated chip as the central optical processing unit of an analog optical link for MRI.
• Earlier, as a visiting researcher (from Feb 2024): planned and built a dense wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) setup for power and data transfer over optical fibre for dense-array fMRI head coils, and started the lab’s photonic integrated circuit work.

Funding: START Grant for Early-Career Researchers (2026), University of Freiburg. Principal investigator, Design of Optical Endoluminal MRI Coils.

Ph.D. Researcher, Boğaziçi University

2019 – 2024 · Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey

Thesis: Metamaterials and Their Applications in Biomedical Engineering (advisor: Prof. Arda Deniz Yalçınkaya). Necmi Tanyolaç Award for the best Ph.D. thesis (2025).

• Designed and implemented RF metasurfaces for local field enhancement at 3T and 7T MRI.
• Designed resonant microwave sensors (split-ring resonators) integrated with paper microfluidics (μPADs) and PDMS microfluidics for dielectric and droplet characterisation.
• Designed and fabricated high-Q plasmonic THz metasurfaces with Fano and EIT-like resonances.
• Ran the full microfabrication workflow, from photomask layout to process development, and characterised devices with VNA and THz time-domain spectroscopy (LabVIEW/MATLAB instrument control).
• Led microfabrication of an MRI-compatible MEMS pressure and temperature sensor on thin GaAs, including fibre-optic integration of an 800 μm × 800 μm chip and the laser-optic setup for characterisation and animal experiments (2022 – 2024).

R&D Engineer, GlakoLens

2019 – 2024 · Istanbul, Turkey

• Led development of a wearable smart contact lens for intraocular pressure monitoring, from lens and mould design to fabrication of the end product, and took part in the first-in-human clinical pilot studies.
• Responsible engineer for the company’s mechanical and chemical processes for contact lenses and in-vitro setups.

Cleanroom Intern, Boğaziçi University

2018 – 2019 · Center for Life Sciences and Technologies, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated core microfabrication processes (lithography, dry and wet etching, physical vapour deposition) and trained less experienced users.
• Assisted international service engineers during equipment maintenance visits.

M.Sc. Researcher, Boğaziçi University

2016 – 2019 · Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey

• Developed a shape-memory-alloy actuator for microfluidic valves and pumps, combining SLA 3D printing with strained SMA wires.
• Built a microcontroller driver with impedance-based microvalve characterisation and a LabVIEW application synchronising actuation and data acquisition.

Teaching

English Language Instructor

2016 – 2017

Taught basic and advanced English courses and tutored students for TOEFL and IELTS.

Teaching Assistant, University of Isfahan

• Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics (Spring 2014)
• Industrial Drafting and CAD (Fall 2011)

Professional Development

• Project Management, 2-day workshop, Graduate Academy (GRACE), University of Freiburg (June 2026).
• Storytelling for Impact, workshop, Graduate Academy (GRACE), University of Freiburg (June 2026).