Nural Cokcetin

Dr. Nural Cokcetin serves as the Faculty Research Engagement Manager for the Faculty of Science at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she focuses on diversifying research funding and facilitating collaborations with internal and external stakeholders. She is part of the central Research Office team and the Partnerships team managing business development, commercialization, and industry engagement activities.

Dr. Cokcetin earned her PhD in microbiology from UNSW Australia (2010-2015) and completed her B.Sc (Molecular Biotechnology) (Hons) at the University of Sydney (2003-2007). Prior to her current role, she was a Research Fellow at UTS's ithree Institute (2015-2022) and holds a part-time position as Research Scientist and Project Manager at the University of Sydney (2022-present).

Her research expertise centers on medicinal honey, particularly its antimicrobial properties against antibiotic-resistant pathogens and its potential as a prebiotic to promote gut health. She has established herself as a global leader in honey and bee research, with extensive experience in industry-driven research programs, stakeholder engagement, and science communication. Her work bridges fundamental microbiology with practical applications in wound care and infection management.

Dr. Cokcetin's publication record demonstrates consistent focus on honey's therapeutic potential, with recent research examining Australian stingless bee honey, honeypot ant honey, and the mechanisms behind honey's antimicrobial activity. Her studies span from basic characterization of honey's physicochemical properties to clinical applications for treating infections and promoting gut health.

Scientific Recognition:

• Early Career Research Excellence Winner (2018)
• Australian Society for Microbiology Postdoctoral Award (2017)
• FameLab - Best Young Science Communicator in Australia and International Runner-Up (2017)

She has actively engaged in research supervision and teaching, developing and delivering courses on microbiology and science business models. Her media presence includes TEDx talks, The Conversation articles, and appearances on The Checkout, where she discusses the science behind honey's therapeutic properties. As a member of the Australian Institute for Microbiology & Infection (AIMI), she contributes to advancing microbiological research with translational impact.