We are excited to announce that this Fall Ozgenur Celik joined the Lab as a PhD student. Check out the short interview below to learn more about Ozgenur’s research experience and diverse interests.
What is your training/research background?
I am trained in biomedical engineering, having earned both my B.S. and M.S. degrees from Columbia University, graduating with departmental honors. I began my research journey as a freshman in Dr. Kam Leong’s lab, where I worked on generating hepatocyte-like spheroids from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for disease modeling and drug screening. This was my first hands-on experience in a wet lab, and it sparked my passion for translational research. Over time, I received multiple research fellowships from Columbia and had the honor of presenting our work as a podium speaker at BMES 2021, as well as co-authoring a review paper. A key takeaway from this project was that iPSCs can be used as a model for various diseases; however, it is a challenge to improve their maturity and prolong their viability and functionality.
During my Master’s, I specialized in the Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering track and continued my research in the Leong Lab, shifting to drug delivery. My project focused on delivering polymeric nanotherapeutics to reduce inflammation in breast cancer and visceral obesity models. This experience introduced me to animal work, poster presentations at both institutional and national levels, and contributing to a grant extension proposal. A key insight from this work was the need for smarter delivery vehicles that can selectively target diseased cells and reduce treatment-related side effects, such as those caused by chemotherapy. However, I also recognized the challenge of scaling up nanotherapeutic strategies from in vitro to in vivo systems with consistent results.
After completing my M.S., I joined the Ph.D. program at the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering as a Laney Fellow and Women in Natural Sciences Fellow. I initially trained in the Dahlman Lab, where I designed lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for the targeted delivery of nucleic acids to specific cell and tissue types. During this time, I co-authored a research paper and a Brief Report, both of which are currently under review.
Why did you choose to join the Quiroz Lab at GT/Emory BME?
I chose to join the Quiroz Lab because it uniquely combines my interest in biomolecular engineering with a deep exploration of protein dynamics. After training in LNP-based RNA delivery, I became increasingly curious about what happens after successful delivery—specifically, how proteins behave, assemble, and function within cells. The Quiroz Lab’s focus on protein phase separation, intracellular organization, and engineered protein polymers as functional tools offered the perfect opportunity to expand my foundation while addressing critical biological questions with therapeutic relevance.
What also drew me to the lab was its position at the intersection of fundamental discovery and translational application—exactly the space where I hope to make an impact. This closely aligns with my long-term goal of developing tools and technologies that are informed by mechanistic understanding. I’m excited to join Dr. Quiroz and the lab team—to learn from such a talented group, grow as a scientist, and pursue new directions in my PhD research and beyond.
When you are not doing research, what do you like to do?
I’m a foodie, and I love exploring new restaurants and cuisines. On weekends, a few friends from my program cohort and I make it a point to try places featured in the Michelin Guide — often affordable, family-owned gems or cozy corner bistros with authentic dishes. We’ve built a long list, and our goal is to visit all of them before we graduate! I also enjoy spending quality time with my family, whether it’s FaceTiming my parents or planning their visits to see me in Atlanta. Most recently, I became a cat mom to a one-year-old named Mochi. I’m still figuring out how to keep her off the kitchen counters, but I’m loving every minute of it!
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Ozgenur Celik, MS PhD student Wallace H. Coulter Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University |