Elif Sela Akbulut

 About Elif Sela

• Advisor: Andrea Carlini
• Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Campus: UCSB
• BioPACIFIC MIP Research: SET 3 - Functional Biomimics

 What is your research focus?

In the Carlini Group, we are developing new and exciting stimuli-responsive programs, to be utilized in biomedical applications. My project aims to produce a gentle adhesive tape that is inspired by a command strip that will be targeted, especially for sensitive, damaged, and fragile skin. With this project, I aim to produce wrinkles with well-defined amplitude and wavelength that will be produced from common silicone elastomers such as Ecoflex and PDMS. The next step of the project is to functionalize and modify the wrinkled networks so that they will be responsive to changes in pH. My project involves both synthesizing the pH-responsive crosslinkers and modifying the surface of the PDMS to make it more hydrophilic and responsive. The wrinkles will be able to self-expand and unwrinkle in response to stimuli, causing self-delamination from the skin. As an end goal of the project, the device will be mechanically strong, biologically safe, and dynamic in nature, aligning with the SET 3 of the BioPACIFIC MIP.

 What excites you about NSF BioPACIFIC MIP?

When I first arrived at the UCSB to start my PhD studies I changed my area of research from diffusion-controlled pattern formation systems to polymers. This is the first time I am working with stimuli-responsive polymers, and I am keen on expanding my knowledge on the topic. I am excited about all the new training resources I will have access to in biomaterials, and the community this fellowship program will bring to me. The research project I am currently in will require expertise in multidisciplinary fields of chemistry, and biochemistry, and I believe that I can find this support here. I am also very passionate about outreach opportunities as well. Further, as a member of the ChemPD team, I am interested in the professional development meetings as well. With these, I am hoping to expand my network and create an individual development plan for myself.