Ms. Sisem Ektirici | Computational Chemistry | Young Scientist Award

Ms. Sisem Ektirici | The Cyprus Institute | Cyprus

Ms. Sisem Ektirici is a highly accomplished young researcher currently pursuing her PhD in Computational Sciences at The Cyprus Institute under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship within the ENGAGE program, supervised by Prof. V. Harmandaris. She holds a strong interdisciplinary background, having completed a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, a Master’s in Quantum Chemistry, and a Master’s in Biochemistry at Hacettepe University, followed by doctoral studies in Biochemistry. Her research focuses on biochemical molecules, protein–polymer complexes, and computational simulations with applications in biochemistry and materials science. She has an impressive publication record in high-impact journals, contributed book chapters, and delivered presentations at international conferences and workshops. Beyond research, she serves as a student representative for Marie Curie Fellowships, has translation experience for scientific and literary works, and actively engages in professional development through summer schools and workshops in high-performance computing and drug design. Her multidisciplinary expertise and international experience mark her as a promising young scientist.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

Ms. Sisem Ektirici has pursued a comprehensive and interdisciplinary academic path, beginning with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Hacettepe University, where she built a strong foundation in chemical principles and laboratory techniques. She continued her studies with a Master’s program in Quantum Chemistry at Hacettepe University, gaining advanced knowledge in computational methods and theoretical modeling. Following this, she completed a second Master’s degree in Biochemistry under the supervision of Professor Dr. Adil Denizli, where her thesis focused on the separation of nucleosides using zwitterionic monolithic columns in capillary electrochromatography systems, demonstrating her ability to integrate experimental and analytical techniques. Ms. Ektirici then pursued doctoral studies in Biochemistry at Hacettepe University, further deepening her expertise in biochemical systems and molecular mechanisms. Currently, she is undertaking a PhD in Computational Sciences at The Cyprus Institute as part of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie ENGAGE program, bridging her background in chemistry, biochemistry, and computational methodologies to advance interdisciplinary research in molecular and computational sciences.

Honors and Achievements

Ms. Sisem Ektirici has received several prestigious honours and scholarships recognizing her academic excellence and research potential. She is a recipient of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship through the European Doctorate Program “Enabling the Next Generation of Computational Physicists and Engineers,” reflecting her outstanding capabilities in computational sciences. Her dedication to biochemistry was acknowledged with the YOK Scholarship, supporting her doctoral research. Earlier in her career, she was awarded the TUBITAK Project Research Scholarship for her contributions to quantum chemistry, including the derivation of analytical energy gradient expressions of density-fitted coupled-cluster methods, effective and parallel programming, and applications to weak interactions. Additionally, she was recognized as the last year honor student in the Chemistry Department at Hacettepe University, highlighting her consistent academic performance and commitment to excellence. These awards collectively demonstrate her strong research potential, interdisciplinary expertise, and sustained commitment to scientific advancement.

Work Experience

Ms. Sisem Ektirici has accumulated diverse professional experiences and developed a broad range of skills alongside her academic pursuits. She serves as a student representative for the Marie Curie Fellowships within the ENGAGE Programme, demonstrating leadership, communication, and advocacy skills in supporting her peers. She has professional experience at DESU MEDICAL and Hacettepe Technocity, where she was responsible for preparing and translating new product files as well as translating ISO standards for new products, showcasing her technical proficiency and attention to detail. Ms. Ektirici is also an experienced English-Turkish and Turkish-English translator, having translated three best-selling books, reflecting her linguistic expertise and cultural competence. Beyond her academic and professional accomplishments, she has pursued swimming professionally for fifteen years and plays both classical and electric guitars, highlighting her discipline, creativity, and commitment to personal growth. Her combination of scientific, technical, and artistic skills underscores her well-rounded capabilities and adaptability.

Research Focus

Ms. Sisem Ektirici’s research primarily focuses on the intersection of computational sciences, biochemistry, and materials chemistry, with a strong emphasis on molecular-level investigations of biochemical systems. Her work includes detailed atomistic simulations of protein–polymer complexes, such as alpha-synuclein and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), as well as studies on the thermal stabilization and pH-dependent behavior of protein–polyelectrolyte systems like poly(acrylic acid)/lysozyme. She integrates computational modeling with experimental approaches to understand complex molecular interactions and functional mechanisms, providing insights into biomolecular stability and behavior under various environmental conditions. Additionally, her research extends to applied analytical chemistry, including the separation of nucleosides and histidine enantiomers via advanced electrochromatography techniques, and environmental applications such as the life cycle assessment of membranes for heavy metal removal from water. Overall, her work reflects a multidisciplinary approach combining computational modeling, experimental biochemistry, polymer science, and analytical chemistry to advance understanding of molecular interactions and their practical applications in biomedical and environmental contexts.

Publication Top Notes

A Study of Alpha-Synuclein and Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Complex Formation through Detailed Atomistic Simulations

Complexation and Thermal Stabilization of Protein–Polyelectrolyte Systems via Experiments and Molecular Simulations: The Poly(Acrylic Acid)/Lysozyme Case

Investigating the Effects of pH and Temperature on the Properties of Lysozyme–Polyacrylic Acid Complexes via Molecular Simulation

Life Cycle Assessment of Membranes for Removing Heavy Metals from Water and Wastewater

Computational Investigation of the Monomer Ratio and Solvent Environment for the Complex Formed between Sulfamethoxazole and Functional Monomer Methacrylic Acid

Separation of Histidine Enantiomers by Capillary Electrochromatography with Molecularly Imprinted Monolithic Columns

Conclusion

Ms. Sisem Ektirici is highly suitable for the Research for Young Scientist Award. Her combination of academic excellence, innovative research in biochemistry and computational sciences, international recognition, and proactive engagement in scientific communities makes her a promising candidate whose work reflects both depth and future potential.