Güldem Utkan

Güldem Utkan is a part-time Researcher at SUNUM, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey. Previously, she served as an Associate Professor at Marmara University's Faculty of Engineering, Chemical Engineering Department (2018–2022) and held roles including Chief Researcher at TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (2008–2018). Her career spans research assistantships at Hacettepe University (1998–2007) and Lehigh University (1996–1998), where she also served as a Teaching Assistant (1995–1996).

Her research focuses on functional nanomaterials synthesis, characterization, and applications in bioengineering, environmental engineering, and polymer science. Key interests include graphene oxide, magnetic nanoparticles, MOFs, hydrogels, and their uses in drug delivery, wastewater treatment, and agriculture. She emphasizes green production methods and sustainable material design.

Publications highlight microbial-based nanomaterial synthesis (e.g., using Lactobacillus and Lactococcus), temperature-sensitive nanoparticles for biomedical applications, and nanotechnology in agriculture. She is a member of the American Chemical Society, American Nano Society, and World Association of Young Scientists.

Labs/Teams: Previously led projects at TUBITAK's Enzyme and Fermentation Technology Laboratory. Her work integrates interdisciplinary approaches across material science and biotechnology.