PhD Students
Ece Gültekin
Ece is a dedicated PhD student in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Middle East Technical University, with an academic background including a BSc in Biology from Hacettepe University and an MSc in Clinical Immunology from the University of Manchester. Her research interests lie in understanding the impact of environmental factors on the development of the innate immune system, particularly how these factors influence the immune system’s ability to distinguish between self and non-self. She is fascinated by the roles of different populations in the microbiome and their potential to shape immune responses through epigenetic modifications. Ece approaches her research from a holistic perspective, recognizing the interconnectedness of various biological processes in immune regulation. Beyond her academic pursuits, Ece enjoys practicing yoga and indulging in sci-fi literature and films.
MSc Students
Havva Homak
Havva received her bachelor’s in molecular biology and genetics in the Department of Biology in Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey). She joined Immuno Lab as a special project student and is now continuing her Master’s. She is interested in epigenetic mechanisms in cellular innate immunology and tumor immunology. She thinks a better understanding of the co-evolution of endogenous retroviruses and innate immune receptors will make the innate immune system fight against diseases like cancer. She enjoys outdoor walking, especially in Eymir. Nowadays, she does Whin chun.
Undergraduate Students
Damla Güvenç
Damla is an undergraduate senior student in Biology major in the Department of Biological Sciences at Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey). She is a part of the lab as a special project student. She is captivated by the intricate interplay between genetics, molecular biology, and the immune system. She is eager to delve into how genetic makeup influences the behavior and functions of our immune cells. Unraveling these genetic pathways could unveil why certain individuals are more susceptible to diseases while others possess inherent resilience and thus, she wants to explore how these connections might offer profound insights into developing tailored therapies that could cure infections and diseases like cancer. She is also interested in age-related studies and how the immune system is affected by age-dependent manners. She enjoys drawing, doing yoga, and playing tennis in her free time.
Elif Edanur Balçık
Eda is currently a senior student in the Biology department of Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey). She is a part of the lab as a special project student in which she studies trained immunity. She studied molecular cloning, gene expression, and genetic switches during her internship at UCLouvain, and her interest in the genetic background of autoimmune diseases, the pathways of the immune system, and how to use these pathways to trigger an immunity response in these diseases brought her to the Host Microbe İnteraction Lab. She also enjoys hiking and tries to develop herself in pottery.
Former Members
Öykü Yağmur Başar
Doğay Belen
Rümeysa Öz
Rümeysa Ecem Cabri