Nejla

After studies of chemistry with specialization in analytical chemistry at the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), and applied physical chemistry at the University of Strasbourg (UdS), Ecole Doctorale de Physique et Chimie –Physique, I completed a joint doctorate thesis in 2010 and received two Ph. D. degrees from both universities separately. During my doctoral studies at the Institut Charles Sadron in Strasbourg, I have studied on polyelectrolye complexes and Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembled polyelectrolyte multilayers under supervision of Prof. Dr. Gero Decher. I was awarded by Postgraduate fellowship of French Government (Bourse du Gouvernement Francais (BGF), Co-Tutelle de These) in the course of my Ph. D. studies in France. I joined to the Science and Letter Faculty, Chemistry Department in ITU as a research and teaching assistant in 2001 and I have been still working as Dr. Researcher at the same department.

My research focuses on the fundamentals of polyelectrolytes and polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) in aqueous solution as well as at surfaces and interfaces in the form of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). I am combining analytical and physical chemistry to assemble novel materials with a well-defined architecture, controllable functionalities, tunable thicknesses and responsiveness. The major aim of my work is to develop intelligent materials used in the fields of, particularly, health and environmental technologies alongside analytical detection and method development purposes. I design Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembled nanomaterials and surfaces based on conventional and unconventional approaches. I study PECs and PEM films, primarily, composed of synthetic or natural polyelectrolytes, proteins, water-soluble organic and inorganic molecules. I also investigate the interactions of ionic macromolecules with small ions and other polyions in aqueous solution, and adsorption of organic and inorganic species on surfaces.