My current research is focused on gastrointestinal microbiology, complex interactions between bacteria, immune system, host genetic defects, and altered enteric environment in chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease (CD) and antimicrobial resistance related to therapy. I have used a variety of contemporary molecular, immunological and culture based methods as well as in vitro and in vivo disease models in efforts to identify and characterize bacterial factors that promote intestinal inflammation.

• 2003: Cornell University, Ph.D. in Food Science
• 1998: Cornell University, MS in Food Science
• 1997: Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, MS in Food Engineering
• 1994: Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, BS in Food Engineering (first in class)