Gamze Terlemez is a Ph.D. student focused on finding drug candidates from natural sources
to combat HIV. Her research utilizes a blend of computational modeling and experimental
validation to identify and characterize novel molecular inhibitors.
Ph.D. in Medical Biotechnology
Izmir Institute of Technology
2023-Present
Thesis on HIV Drug Discovery
MSc in Biotechnology
Izmir Institute of Technology
2017-2021
Thesis on Computational Biology
B.S. in Molecular Biology and Genetics
Atatürk University
2011-2015
HIV Research
Natural Products
Drug Discovery
Computational Modeling
IZTECH
Gamze Terlemez
Ph.D. Candidate
HIV Drug Discovery • Natural Products • Computational Modeling
Dilan İrem Açan is a Biotechnology MSc candidate at the HTS Lab. She completed her
undergraduate studies at Gebze Technical University, where she worked as a TÜBİTAK STAR
Scholar. Her current research focuses on the production optimization of nanobodies
specifically designed to bind to the HIV-1 capsid protein.
MSc in Biotechnology
Izmir Institute of Technology
2024 – Present
Thesis on Nanobody Production Optimization
Erasmus+ Research Trainee
University of Novi Sad
2024
Department of Biology and Ecology
B.S. in Molecular Biology and Genetics
Gebze Technical University
2020 – 2024
Nanobody Production
HIV-1 Research
Optimization Strategies
Protein Engineering
IZTECH
HTS Lab
Dilan İrem Açan
MSc Candidate
Nanobody Production • HIV-1 Capsid • TÜBİTAK STAR Scholar
Mert Can Akyol is an MSc candidate working on the development of hybrid proteins for the
treatment of white spot lesions. His research focuses on discovering and engineering
peptides that promote hydroxyapatite formation and mineralization to restore dental
enamel.
MSc in Bioengineering
Izmir Institute of Technology
Sept. 2024 – Jul. 2026 (Expected)
B.S. in Genetics and Bioengineering
Izmir University of Economics
Feb. 2022 – Jul. 2024
Erasmus+ (Mechatronics & Robotics)
TU of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Oct. 2021 – Feb. 2022
Student Mobility Program
B.S. in Mechatronics & Robotics
Izmir University of Economics
Aug. 2019 – Feb. 2022
Hybrid Proteins
Mineralization
Hydroxyapatite
Peptide Engineering
IZTECH
HTS Lab
Mert Can Akyol
MSc Candidate
Hybrid Proteins • Biomineralization • Peptide Engineering
Sema Nur Aydın is a Biotechnology MSc candidate researching the development of hybrid
proteins for the treatment of white spot lesions. Her work focus on the design of
mineralization-inducing peptides and the characterization of hydroxyapatite formation.
She completed her undergraduate studies at IZTECH, participating in international
research initiatives like the MELiDOS project.
MSc in Biotechnology
Izmir Institute of Technology
2024 – Present
B.S. in Molecular Biology and Genetics
Izmir Institute of Technology
2020 – 2024
Hybrid Proteins
Biomineralization
Peptide Engineering
Structural Characterization
IZTECH
HTS Lab
Sema Nur Aydın
MSc Candidate
Mineralization Peptides • Hydroxyapatite • MELiDOS Project
Tuana Kaplan is an undergraduate researcher focusing on protein engineering and molecular
biology. She assists in the structural analysis and optimization of nanobody-antigen
interactions within the laboratory.
B.S. in Molecular Biology and Genetics
Izmir Institute of Technology
2022 – Expected 2027
Protein Engineering
Nanobody Research
Molecular Biology
IZTECH
HTS Lab
Tuana Kaplan
Undergraduate Researcher
Protein Engineering • Nanobody Research • Molecular Biology
Gökberk Çelebi is a Bioengineering undergraduate researcher and a TÜBİTAK 2247-C STAR
Scholar. He contributes to the lab's protein engineering methodologies, focusing on the
stability and design of novel antibody architectures.
B.S. in Bioengineering
Izmir Institute of Technology
2023 – Expected 2028
Protein Engineering
Computational Biology
Antibody Engineering
IZTECH
HTS Lab
Gökberk Çelebi
Undergraduate Researcher
Protein Engineering • Antibody Architectures • TÜBİTAK STAR Scholar
Bilge Nur Özmermer is a former undergraduate researcher and TÜBİTAK 2247-C STAR Scholar
who contributed to the design and characterization of engineered proteins in the lab.
B.S. in Bioengineering
Izmir Institute of Technology
2021 – 2025
Protein Engineering
Antibody Engineering
Structural Analysis
IZTECH
HTS Lab Alumni
Bilge Nur Özmermer
Former Undergraduate Researcher
Engineered Proteins • Structural Analysis • TÜBİTAK STAR Scholar
Sude Bakırsoy is a former undergraduate researcher who contributed to the production and purification
of recombinant proteins and antibody engineering projects in the lab.
B.S. in Bioengineering
Izmir Institute of Technology
2020 – 2025
Protein Engineering
Antibody Research
Recombinant Proteins
IZTECH
HTS Lab Alumni
Sude Bakırsoy
Former Undergraduate Researcher
Recombinant Proteins • Protein Purification • Antibody Engineering
Mısra Gürses is a former undergraduate researcher who specialized in the analytical
characterization of engineered proteins and supported research into antibody performance.
B.S. in Bioengineering
Izmir Institute of Technology
2020 – 2026
Protein Engineering
Analytical Characterization
Antibody Research
IZTECH
HTS Lab Alumni
Mısra Gürses
Former Undergraduate Researcher
Protein Engineering • Analytical Characterization • Antibody Research
Ezgi Kılıç is a former undergraduate researcher who contributed to the lab's protein and
antibody engineering projects.
B.S. in Bioengineering
Izmir Institute of Technology
Sept. 2020 – Jun. 2026
Associate's Degree, Lab. & Veterinary Services
Anadolu University
Oct. 2021 – Jan. 2025
Protein Engineering
Antibody Research
Laboratory Research
IZTECH
HTS Lab Alumni
Ezgi Kılıç
Former Undergraduate Researcher
Protein Engineering • Antibody Research • Laboratory Research