Asst. Prof. Zeliha Soran Erdem and Asst. Prof. Gülşah Merve Kılınç, both graduates of Bilkent University, were honored by L’Oréal Türkiye’s annual “For Women in Science” program. Dr. Erdem, a graduate of Materials Science and Nanotechnology (MSN) Ph.D. program, and Dr. Kılınç, who earned her PhD in 2014 from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, were among four female scientists recognized for their groundbreaking research.
Currently a faculty member in the Department of Engineering Sciences at Abdullah Gül University, Dr. Erdem received the award for her project aimed at developing eco-friendly LCD screen technology. Her research leverages the natural luminescent properties of plants within the field of optics to develop sustainable, environmentally friendly and health-conscious LED lighting solutions. As an alternative to the traditional white-light LED systems used widely in devices like phones, tablets and computer screens, her project envisions a future where the optical properties of plants are utilized across a broad range of applications, from biomedical uses to street lighting. Dr. Erdem conducted her doctoral studies under the supervision of Prof. Hilmi Volkan Demir, director of the Institute of Material Science and Nanotechnology and UNAM.
Dr. Kılınç is a faculty member in the Bioinformatics Department at Hacettepe University, where she investigates ancient DNA to shed light on the present. Ancient DNA, extracted from non-living materials such as teeth, hair and bones, offers valuable insights into the origins of species and their relationships with others. As part of the project, Dr. Kılınç is examining the changes in the human oral microbiota and genetic structure over time using ancient DNA extracted from the teeth and dental calculus of individuals who lived 6,000 and 1,000 years ago. The findings aim to contribute to understanding the evolution of the present-day oral microbiota and its connections to current diseases. Dr. Kılınç conducted her doctoral studies under the supervision of Prof. Tayfun Özçelik, dean of the Faculty of Science.
This year, through the “For Women in Science” program, L’Oréal Türkiye provided a total of 200,000 TL of support to four female scientists to help bring their projects to life. Conducted in collaboration with the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, this program has been supporting talented women in science under the age of 40 and helping them gain recognition worldwide for the past 22 years. Since its inception, a total of 124 scientists have been honored with this prestigious award.
