Dr. Burak Korkmaz | Liquid Crystals | Young Scientist Award 

Dr. Burak Korkmaz | Istanbul Technical University | Turkey

Dr. Burak Korkmaz is a highly motivated researcher in the field of chemistry, specializing in the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel liquid crystalline materials and polymers with advanced structural and functional properties. His academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to scientific innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing materials chemistry for diverse technological applications. With strong international research exposure, fluency in multiple languages, and extensive laboratory expertise, he has established himself as a promising scholar whose contributions are recognized at both national and international levels.

Professional Profile

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Summary of Suitability

Dr. Burak Korkmaz is an emerging scholar in chemistry and materials science, with a strong focus on the synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline compounds and polymers. His academic journey reflects consistent dedication, having earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry  from Istanbul Technical University with distinction. His doctoral dissertation, “Synthesis of New Mesogens and Investigation of Their Liquid Crystalline Properties”, was honored with the Most Successful Doctoral Thesis Award by the university’s Executive Board, underscoring his research excellence and innovation.

Education

He pursued his entire higher education at Istanbul Technical University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a thesis focused on the synthesis of anthracene and azide-functionalized polycarbonates. Building on this foundation, he earned his master’s degree in chemistry with a thesis on chalcone-based liquid crystalline polymers, which further refined his expertise in organic synthesis and advanced material design. His doctoral studies at the same institution solidified his reputation as an innovative scientist, culminating in a dissertation on the synthesis of new mesogens and the investigation of their liquid crystalline properties. This work not only expanded the understanding of mesogenic structures but also earned recognition as the most successful doctoral thesis, underscoring the significance of his research outcomes. His strong academic record, coupled with high GPAs across graduate studies, demonstrates consistent academic excellence.

Experience

Professionally, Dr. Burak Korkmaz  has cultivated a career path that integrates teaching, laboratory research, and postdoctoral training. His early experiences as a student assistant in the Department of Chemistry allowed him to engage closely with laboratory teaching and undergraduate support activities. Following this, he served as a research assistant at Istanbul Technical University, where he actively participated in departmental research projects, supervised laboratory activities, and contributed to collaborative studies in material chemistry. His international career development was further advanced through his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Kansas, where he worked within the Institute of Bioengineering Research under the supervision of distinguished faculty. His postdoctoral research has been supported by a prestigious NIH-funded project, reflecting the importance and relevance of his scientific contributions to biomedical and polymer science. In addition, he has gained valuable exposure during internships at Ali Raif Pharmaceutical Industry, TÜBİTAK MAM, and Istanbul University’s Faculty of Medicine, where he broadened his skills across industrial and clinical laboratory environments.

Research Interests

His primary research interests lie in the synthesis and characterization of novel mesogenic compounds, liquid crystalline polymers, and advanced functional materials. He is particularly focused on exploring the structure–property relationships of organic and polymeric materials to enhance their potential applications in fields such as optoelectronics, sensors, and biomedical engineering. He combines traditional organic synthesis techniques with modern analytical instrumentation, applying methods such as FTIR, NMR, DSC, DMA, POM, UV-Vis, and chromatographic analysis to probe the fundamental behaviors of materials at both molecular and macroscopic levels. His recent work also extends into the field of bioengineering, where material science intersects with healthcare solutions, particularly in designing biomaterials supported by interdisciplinary collaborations.

Award

One of the most notable recognitions in his academic career is the award for the most successful doctoral thesis, conferred by Istanbul Technical University, which highlighted the originality and impact of his Ph.D. research. This honor not only acknowledges his dedication to advancing chemical sciences but also reflects the broader importance of his discoveries in liquid crystalline materials.

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