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Hi, I’m
Emel Kirbas Cilingir
Material Chemist (PhD)
Miami,United States of America
Summary
Versatile Material Chemist (PhD) works with different types of chemicals, compounds and materials. Proficient in performing tests, documenting results and writing papers. Well-organized and detail-oriented with good project management and planning abilities developed over 6+ years in nanotechnology.
Overview
6
years of professional experience
13
years of post-secondary education
1
Certification
4
Languages
Work History
University Of Miami Miami, FL
Graduate Research Assistant
08.2019 - Current
Job overview
- Synthesis of carbon based nanomaterials (Carbon Dots) with chemical, electrochemical, or physical methods.
- Nanomaterial purification techniques including both size based (Size Exclusion Chromatography, Gel Electrophoresis, Dialysis, Filtrations) and structure based (Column Chromatography, Thin Layer Chromatography) methodologies.
- Functional group and optical characterizations of nanomaterials by using UV-Vis Absorption Spectroscopy, Fluorescence Emission Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.
- Charge and Mass characterizations of nanomaterials via Malvern Zetasizer, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry.
- Morphological characterizations of nanomaterials by applying Atomic Force Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy.
- Quantum Yield Measurements of nanomaterials.
- High efficiency and stability singular and plural crosslink of specific antibodies, peptides, cancer drugs, fluorophores, and toxins onto surface of nanomaterials by applying different coupling techniques such as carboiimide coupling.
- Purification and characterization of as prepared cargo loaded (antibodies, peptides, cancer drugs etc.) carbon dot nanomedicine systems with optical and morphological characterization techniques mentioned above.
- Western blot biochemical technique applications for immunodetection of proteins in cells and tissues exposed to nanomaterials.
- Immunocytochemistry studies of unique cargo loaded nanosytem.
- Protein assays of various cell lines which treated with cargo loaded carbon dots.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays and their statistical analysis of prepared materials with both tumor and non-tumor cell lines.
- Non-tumor (Kidney, Motor Neurons, Astrocytes, Breast, Pancreas) cell culture propagations and isolations.
- Adult and pediatric high-grade brain (Glioblastoma and Neuroblastoma) tumor cancer cell propagations and isolations.
- In vitro cytotoxicity applications of prepared materials with both tumor and non-tumor cell lines.
- Real-time multimodal bioimaging studies of both tumor and non-tumor cell lines by operating Fluorescent Microscopy and Confocal Microscopy.
- Quantifying colocalization of nanomaterials with cellular organelles via bioimaging and statistical techniques.
- Cellular uptake mechanism investigations of prepared nanomaterials against Glioblastoma and Neuroblastoma cells to improve prevision of nanomedicine. Here my main focus was on ASCT2 and LAT1 transporters of Glioma and Neuroblastoma cells. By performing nano architectonics experiments on nano system, which include but not limited to surface modifications, functional group, charge, size, solubility manipulations, to build robust personalized nanomedicine.
- In vivo biodistribution pharmacokinetics, organ accumulation and body clearance studies of novel cancer drug and nanomaterial systems for cytotoxicity studies with mice models.
- Determination of half-maximal inhibitory concentration and synergistic effects of well-known anticancer with in vitro studies.
- Grant Proposal Writing (Currently, I have written and submitted 2 full proposals (R21 type) to Florida Department of Health, and I have assisted writing of 4 other grant proposals (R21, R01) to NIH.
- Manuscripts' writing/ editing (Currently, 3 first author and 12 coauthor publications).
- Completed administrative and research duties per professor request.
- Liaised between faculty and students to answer questions and optimize faculty time.
- Maintained laboratory operations, updating and revising standardized operating procedures and reordering raw materials and supplies to sustain experiments and workflow.
- Educated undergraduate students on safe use of lab equipment and reagents and chemicals.
- Directed students in performing and completing assigned tasks.
- Recorded data and maintained source documentation following good documentation practices
University Of IowaIowa City, IA
Graduate Research Assistant
08.2018 - 05.2019
Job overview
- Teacher and classroom observations and interviews over 150 participants.
- Performed coding for students' work to analyze their multiple modes of usage with statistical techniques such as ANOVA, ANCOVA.
Bogazici UniversityIstanbul, Turkey (Different Country)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
11.2016 - 06.2018
Job overview
- Participated in two on going projects about "Fabrication of Polymer Brush Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles."
- Synthesized NHS functionalized chain transfer agents.
- Synthesized dopamine functionalized chain transfer agents.
- Synthesized novel targeted alcohol and monomer.
- Proceeded immobilization of catechol modified RAFT agent on Metal Nanoparticles.
- Employed characterization techniques including NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, DLS, MS, GPS, UV spectroscopy, column chromatography.
- Participated in hydrogels and cryogels synthesis.
- Executed drug release studies regarding hydrogels and curcumin.
- Synthesis of functional polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles via RAFT polymerization.
Robert CollegeIstanbul, Turkey (Different Country)
Teacher Intern
02.2018 - 06.2018
Job overview
- Mandatory Internship for undergraduate program.
- Prepared and taught over 20 organic and general chemistry courses.
FMV Işık High School Ayazağa CampusIstanbul, Turkey (Different Country)
Teacher Intern
10.2017 - 12.2017
Job overview
- Mandatory internship for undergraduate program.
- Prepared and taught over 15 organic and general chemistry courses.
Education
University of MiamiMiami, FL
Ph.D. from Chemistry
06.2019 - 05.2023
Bogazici UniversityIstanbul / Turkey
Integrated B.S. And M.S. Degree from Teaching Chemistry
09.2012 - 06.2018
Simav Anatolian Teacher High SchoolKutahya / Turkey
High School Diploma
09.2008 - 06.2012
Skills
Online curriculum delivery
Conducting assays
Course materials development
Academic presentations
Literature reviews
Specimen and sample preparation
Experiment development
Study coordination
Scientific paper experience
Research design
Faculty collaboration
Grant writing
Accomplishments
- Dissertation Fellowship (University of Miami) August 2022
- Nominated for Outstanding Research Assistant Award (University of Miami) March 2022
- Nominated for ACS Women Chemists Committee Rising Star Award May 2022
- Sam and Clara Schreiber Chemistry Summer Research Fellowship (University of Miami) May – August 2021
- Summa Cum Laude/Honors Degree (Bogazici University) June 2018
- Special Faculty Award for Academic Work (Bogazici University) June 2018
- Future Scientist Scholarship (Bogazici University) May 2013–June 2018
- Nominated for Hikmet Sebuktekin Academic Award May 2017– May 2018
- Full housing, book, food scholarship (Bogazici University) August 2012–June 2018
- Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Leblanc, Roger M. et. al. “Metformin Derived Carbon Dots: Highly Biocompatible Fluorescent Nanomaterials as Mitochondrial Targeting and Blood-Brain Barrier Penetrating Biomarkers”. (ZUBROD MEMORIAL LECTURE, FL, USA, May 3-6, 2021, Research Trainee Talks)
- Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Leblanc, Roger M. et. al. “Surface Functional Group Optimization of Carbon Nitride Carbon Dots for Deeper Investigation of Their Selective Cancer Cell Uptake Mechanism”. (Annual Sylvester Retreat and Cancer Research Poster Session, FL, USA, November 19, 2021)
- For the year 2021-2022 I have reviewed more than 21 research and review articles. Journals for which I have served as a reviewer under the supervision of my Ph.D. advisor, Prof. Leblanc, (including, but not limited to): ACS Applied Electronic Materials, Biomaterials, Nanoscale, Carbon, ACS Analytical Chemistry, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Chemical Reviews, Journal of Physical Chemistry, Polymers, Small
- As of June 2022, I have been invited to be a reviewer for the Vegetos Springer Journal. I have reviewed 2 research articles under my own account.
- As of September 2022, I have been invited to be a reviewer for the Journal of Fluorescence. I have reviewed 1 research article under my own account.
Publications
Impact Factor Definition: The impact factor (IF) is a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a particular year. It is used to measure the importance or rank of a journal by calculating the times its articles are cited.
IF has been indicated for each international peer review journals.
To be submitted by December 2022
1. Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Mintz, Keenan J.; Besbinar, Omur; Aydogan, Yagmur; Bartoli, Mattia; Braun, Markus; Tagliaferro, Alberto; Wachtveitl, Josef; Yilmazer, Acelya; and Leblanc, Roger M., Chlorophyllin derived carbon dots: Outstanding nanocarriers and bioimaging materials for PDT and PTT applications of cancer, Nature Nanotechnology, Will be Submitted by November 2022, IF: 39.2.
In Press
2. Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Hettiarachchi, Sajini; Zhou, Yiqun; Ferreira, Braulio C.L.B.; Steven, Vanni; Regina M.; Leblanc, Roger M., Carbon Dot Nanoarchitectonics: Quadruple conjugated nano model for superior cancer cell-nucleus targeting and multi drug delivery, Carbon, Under Revision, 2022, IF: 9.6.
3. Seven, Elif S.; Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Bartoli, Mattia; Zhou, Yiqun; Sampson, Rachel; Peng, Zhili; Pandey, Raja Ram; Chusuei, Charles C.; Tagliaferro, Alberto; Graham, Regina M.; Seven, Yasin B.; Leblanc, Roger M., Synthesis route drastically affects the structure, property, and function of Carbon Dots, Journal of colloid and interface science, 2022 Accepted, IF: 8.1.
4. Zhang, Wei; Chen, Jiuyan; Gu, Jun; Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Bartoli, Mattia; Domena, Justin; Zhou, Yiqun; Braulio C.L.B.; McGee, Caitlin; Sampson, Rachel; Arduino, Chiara; Tagliaferro, Alberto; Leblanc, Roger M., Nano-carrier for gene delivery and bioimaging based on pentaetheylenehexamine modified carbon dots, Applied Materials Today, 2022, Under Revision, IF: 10
Published
5. Kirbas Cilingir E.; Sankaran M.; Garber JM.; Leblanc, R. M.; et al. Surface modification of carbon nitride dots by nanoarchitectonics for better drug loading and higher cancer selectivity. Nanoscale 2022, 14(27), 9686-9971, IF: 8.3. This paper has been selected for cover of the latest issue because of the importance and the quality of the manuscript.
6. Zhou, Yiqun; Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Kandel, Nabin; Bartoli, Mattia; Serafim, Leonardo Farias; ElMetwally, Ahmed E.; Falkenberg, Sophia M.; Paredes, Xavier E.; Nelson, Christopher J.; Smith, Nathan; Padovano, Elisa; Zhang, Wei; Mintz, Keenan J.; Ferreira, Braulio C.L.B.; Chen, Jiuyan; Shah, Sujit K.; Prabhakar, Rajeev; Tagliaferro, Alberto; Wang, Chunyu; Leblanc, Roger M. Structure-activity relationship of carbon nitride dots in inhibiting Tau aggregation. Carbon 2022, 193, 1-16, IF: 9.6.
7. Veliz, Eduardo A; Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Kaplina, Anastasiya; Hettiarachchi, Sajini;, Yoham, Athina L; Matta, Carolina; Safar, Sabrin; Sankaran, Meghana; Abadi, Esther L; Vallejo, Frederic Anthony; Walters, Winston M; Steven, Vanni; Leblanc, Roger M.; Graham, Regina M., Chalcones as Anti-Glioblastoma stem cell agent alone or as nanoparticle formulation using carbon dots as nanocarrier. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1465, IF: 5.8.
8. Paudyal, Suraj; Vallejo, Frederic Anthony; Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Zhou, Yiqun; Mintz, Keenan J.; Pressman, Yelena; Gu, Jun; Steven; Graham, Regina M.; Leblanc, Roger M. (*First and second authors are contributed equally to this work.), DFMO Carbon Dots for treatment of neuroblastoma and bioimaging. ACS applied biomaterials 2022, 5(7), 3300-3309, IF: 3.25.
9. Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Seven, Elif S; Zhou, Yiqun; Walters, Brian M.; Mintz, Keenan J.; Pandey, Raja R.; Wikramanayake, Athula H.; Chusuei, Charles C.; Vanni, Steven; Graham, Regina M.; Leblanc, Roger M., Metformin derived carbon dots: highly biocompatible fluorescent nanomaterials as mitochondrial targeting and blood-brain barrier penetrating biomarkers, Journal of colloid and interface science, 2021, 592, 485-497, IF: 8.1.
10. Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Mintz, Keenan J.; Nagaro, Giacomo.; Paudyal, Suraj.; Zhou, Yiqun; Khadka, Durga.; Huang, Sunxiang.; Graham, Regina M.; Leblanc, Roger M. (*First and second authors are contributed equally to this work.), Development of red-emissive carbon dots for bioimaging through a building block approach: Fundamental and applied studies, Bioconjugate Chemistry, 2021, 33, 1, 226–237, IF: 4.8 .
11. Hettiarachchi, Sajini; Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Makhlouf, Heidi; Seven, Elif; Paudyal, Suraj; Vanni, Steven; Graham, Regina; Leblanc, Roger, pH and redox triggered doxorubicin release from covalently linked carbon dots conjugates, Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 5507-5518, IF: 7.8.
12. Seven, Elif S.; Seven, Yasin B.; Zhou, Yiqun; Poudel-Sharma, Sijan; Diaz-Rucco1, Juan J; Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Mitchell, Gordon M.; Van Dyken, J. David; Leblanc, Roger M., Crossing the blood-brain barrier with carbon dots: uptake mechanism and in vivo cargo delivery, Nanoscale Advances, 2021, 3, 3942-3953, IF: 4.4.
13. Zhou, Yiqun; ElMetwally, Ahmed E.; Chen, Jiuyan; Kirbas Cilingir, Emel; Walters, Brian M.; Mintz, Keenan J.; Martin, Christian; Ferreira, Braulio C. L. B.; Zhang, Wei; Hettiarachchi, Sajini; Blackwelder, Patricia L.; Wikramanayake, Athula H.; Peng, Zhili; Leblanc, Roger M., Gel-like carbon dots: A high-performance future photocatalyst, Journal of colloid and interface science, 2021, 599, 519 – 532, IF: 8.1.
Honors & Awards
Communications
Peer review experience
Certification
Procedures for Use of Laboratory Animals, University of Miami - Division of Veterinary Resources
Interests
Travel
Playing Volleyball
Playing Guitar
Timeline
Procedures for Use of Laboratory Animals, University of Miami - Division of Veterinary Resources
02-2022
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Miami
08.2019 - Current
University of Miami
Ph.D. from Chemistry
06.2019 - 05.2023
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Iowa
08.2018 - 05.2019
Teacher Intern
Robert College
02.2018 - 06.2018
Teacher Intern
FMV Işık High School Ayazağa Campus
10.2017 - 12.2017
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Bogazici University
11.2016 - 06.2018
Bogazici University
Integrated B.S. And M.S. Degree from Teaching Chemistry
09.2012 - 06.2018
Simav Anatolian Teacher High School
High School Diploma
09.2008 - 06.2012