PhD student
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Germany
Elif Koçar, with master’s degree in Molecular Science at Friedrich-Alexander-University ErlangenNürnberg has background in inorganic, theoretical, physical chemistry, and molecular biology. Her research in the biointerfaces group, led by Prof. Gregurec, has focused mainly on the engineering of magnetic nanoparticle systems for biomedical applications and towards quantitative and rapid ‘nanosensors’. She has experience in synthesis of isotropic and anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles, surface polymer coatings for stability, fluorescent labelling and bioconjugation. Her practical skills involve characterisation and analysis of bio- and inorganic materials in VSM, DLS, SEM, TEM, fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy. Elif is starting her PhD in biointerfaces lab under exciting EIC Pathfinder Open 2022 project ‘BRAINSTORM’ to apply, and further develop her knowledge in application of anisotropic ferromagnetic nanomaterials as neural interfaces for wireless multimodal neurostimulation of the deep brain. Elif is enthusiastic to study the ability of these nanomaterials to replace current invasive neurostimulation approaches, and to help advancing the field of magnetic nanomaterials in therapies of debilitating neural diseases, such as epilepsy.