Zeynep Başaran

Zeynep Başaran Bundur is an Associate Professor and Chair of Civil Engineering at Özyeğin University in Istanbul, Turkey. She leads the Sustainable and Adaptive Materials (SAM) Research Group and oversees the Construction Materials Laboratory at the university. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Bogazici University in 2009, followed by Master's and Ph.D. degrees from The University of Texas at Austin in 2011 and 2013, respectively.

Dr. Başaran Bundur's educational background is impressive and well-focused on her research interests:

• Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, Bogazici University, 2009
• Master's in Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2011
• Doctorate in Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2013

Dr. Başaran Bundur's research focuses on the development of sustainable and adaptive materials for civil engineering applications. Her work centers on understanding the relationship among processing, chemistry, properties, and performance of cement-based materials to develop novel, sustainable, and durable construction solutions. She is particularly known for her pioneering work in bio-based self-healing concrete technologies, where microorganisms are incorporated into cementitious materials to enable automatic crack repair. Her research spans several key areas:

• Advanced cementitious and mineral building materials (self-healing, self-cleaning)
• Effect of supplementary cementitious materials and geopolymers
• Additive manufacturing (3D printing) of cement-based composites
• Development of bio-based rheology modifying admixtures
• Use of end-of-life materials as alternative binders in concrete

Her publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on sustainable construction materials, with over 40 publications and more than 500 citations as of 2022. The trend in her research shows a progression from fundamental studies on biomineralization in cement-based materials toward practical applications in construction technology, particularly in additive manufacturing and sustainable material development. Her work bridges the gap between biological processes and civil engineering materials, creating innovative solutions for the construction industry's environmental challenges.

Dr. Başaran Bundur has received significant recognition for her research contributions:

• Patent for "CEMENT-BASED COMPOSITIONS WITH IMPROVED RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF" (2016)
• Development of BioCrete, an eco-friendly cement-based mortar with adaptive performance
• Multiple research grants from TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey)
• Funding from industrial partners like ÇİMSA A.Ş. for applied research
• International collaborations with universities in Belgium, France, and the USA

As an educator, Dr. Başaran Bundur has supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have continued their academic careers at prestigious institutions worldwide. Her research group, SAM, actively works on cutting-edge projects that address global challenges in the construction sector, particularly focusing on reducing CO2 emissions and developing sustainable alternatives to traditional construction materials. The group's work aligns with the urgent need to transform the construction industry, which accounts for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions.

The SAM Research Group operates at the intersection of biology, material science, and civil engineering, developing innovative solutions such as:

• BioCrete: A sustainable and self-healing cement-based grout with improved rheology
• Geo-3D: Additive manufacturing using fiber-reinforced geopolymers
• Conc-3D: Additive manufacturing of fiber-reinforced cement-based composites
• ReCement: Regenerating end-of-life materials for reuse in cement/concrete