İlayda Ezgi Koca

EDUCATION

College / University

Bogazici University

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Molecular Biology and Genetics
Chemistry (Double Major)

Country

Turkey

Lab Experience

Organic synthesis, polymer synthesis, column chromatography, affinity chromatography, Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy analyis; mammalian cell culture, DNA origami assembly and purification, agarose gel electrophoresis, protein extraction, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Dissection and cryo-sectioning of the telencephalon

Projects / Research

2025 – 2026: Special Project Student, "Analysis of HB-EGF stimulation on cell proliferation in the zebrafish forebrain", Fish Lab, Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Bogazici University
2025: Student assistant (Biochemistry & General Biology I), Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Bogazici University
2025: Student assistant (General Chemistry I & Organic Chemistry II), Chemistry Department, Bogazici University
2024 – 2025: Research Intern, "Synthesis of small organic molecules for targeted drug delivery systems usage", Sanyal Lab, Chemistry Department, Bogazici University
2024: Student assistant (Biochemistry), Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Bogazici University
2024: Summer Intern, "DNA-based nanoturbine assembly, purification, and analysis procedure", Xin Shi Lab, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven
2023: PURE Program Research Intern, "PEGylation of Antibody Fragments for drug delivery purposes", Mustafaoğlu Lab, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University

Scholarships / Awards

2026 – 2028:	The Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) - German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Study Scholarship - Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines
2026:	Graduated with High Honors and ranked 2^nd in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and 1^st among double-major students in the Faculty of Science
2025 – 2026:	The Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) Bachelor Degree Scholarship
2024:	European Union Erasmus+ Internship grant for the summer internship at KU Leuven
2020 – 2025:	Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), 2205 Undergraduate Scholarship Program

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I am interested in systems neuroscience and the functional architecture of the limbic system at the molecular level. My research interest focuses on the role of hippocampal place cells in spatial navigation, as well as the impact of the amygdala and sensory inputs on memory formation. Combining this with a strong background in organic synthesis, my long-term goal is to contribute to novel drug design for limbic system-based psychological disorders. I believe that a deeper molecular understanding of these circuits will enable the development of therapeutics with higher precision and fewer side effects.