Elif Gülşen Kaya

EDUCATION

College / University

Bilkent University

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Molecular Biology and Genetics

Country

Turkey

Lab Experience

DNA/RNA Isolation, PCR and RT-qPCR, Gel Electrophoresis, Immunostaining, Protein Isolation, SDS-PAGE and Western Blot, 2D and 3D Cell Culture and Viability Assays, Transfection, Confocal Microscopy, iPSC Handling, Zebrafish Maintenance and Handling, CRISPR-Cas9, Basic Programming in R and Python

Projects / Research

2025 – 2026: Senior Student, Bachelor of Science Thesis "Intergenerational Effects of Past Microbiota Absence in Danio rerio", Arslan Lab, National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Ankara
2025: Erasmus+ Summer Intern, "Using hiPSC to Derive Oxytocin-Producing Neurons in Hypothalamic Culture", Grinevich Lab, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim
2024: Erasmus+ Summer Intern, "Optimization of the Live Larval Genotyping Protocol in Danio rerio", Varga Lab, ELTE University, Budapest
2023: Summer Intern, Introduction to Cell Culture and iPSCs, Ankara University Stem Cell Institute, Ankara

Scholarships / Awards

2026 – 2027:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2026:	Graduated with High Honors from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University
2025 – 2026:	100% Merit Scholarship, Bilkent University
2025:	Erasmus+ Mobility for Traineeship, Central Institute of Mental Health (European Union)
2024:	Erasmus+ Mobility for Traineeship, ELTE University (European Union)

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

The human body consists of intricate mechanisms, with molecular pathways working in balance. Understanding the details underlying these pathways can shed light on when this precious balance fails and how it can be restored. With this motivation, I have devoted myself to this major by exploring how diseases are modeled, working with iPSCs to model organisms, with a special interest in zebrafish. Combining this journey with my personal interest in psychology, I have found myself drawn to neuroscience, focusing on the mechanisms under neurodegenerative diseases. Following this experience, I have taken certain courses that deeply resonated with me, broadening my interests to developmental biology, evolution, and bioinformatics. With this program, I hope to gain further experience in my fields of interest and deepen my understanding of molecular biology.