Ulker, Damla, Dr

Dr Damla Ulker

School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Research Associate in Biophysical Chemistry

d.ulker@sheffield.ac.uk

Dainton Building

Full contact details

Dr Damla Ulker
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Dainton Building
13 Brook Hill
Sheffield
S3 7HF

Profile: I am an interdisciplinary materials scientist and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) whose research combines chemistry, polymer science, biomaterials and nanotechnology to develop innovative solutions for healthcare. My research focuses on designing advanced functional materials for targeted drug delivery, cancer therapeutics, regenerative medicine and biosensing, with the aim of translating fundamental materials science into clinically relevant technologies.

Research interests: My current research at the University of Sheffield centres on the development of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based synthetic chaperones to enhance protein activity for biocatalytic and biomedical applications. I also use these materials for developing highly sensitive molecularly imprinted biosensors for the detection of microRNA biomarkers associated with cancer. My previous research has included the development of synthetic antibodies for targeted treatment of diffuse midline glioma, polymeric nanomaterials for breast cancer therapy, regenerative biomaterials for tissue engineering, and advanced polymer systems for stem-cell preservation.

Publications

Kanao E, Nihei T, Kako K, Maeda A, Ulker D, Nishida H, Ogata K, Yan M, Piletsky S, Ishihama Y & Kubo T (2026) . Small Structures, 7(6).
Unwin E, Manso Pena A, Turner NW & Ulker D (2026) . Analytica Chimica Acta.
Ulker D, Neal TJ, Crawford A & Armes SP (2023) . Biomacromolecules, 24(9), 4285-4302.
Ulker D, Barut I, Şener E & Bütün V (2021) . European Polymer Journal, 146, 110270-110270.
Ulker D, Kocak G, Tuncer C & Butun V (2019) . Colloid and Polymer Science, 297(7-8), 1067-1078.
Kocak G, Ülker D, Tuncer C, Baker SB & Bütün V (2018) . Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 18(4), 2521-2529.
Ulker D, Tuncer C, Sezgin SB, Toptas Y, Cabuk A & Bütün V (2017) . Journal of Polymer Research, 24(10).
Tuncer C, Samav Y, Ülker D, Baker SB & Bütün V (2015) . Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 132(24).
Abdulsada SH, Garcia Cruz A, Zaleski C, Piletska E, Ulker D, Piletsky S & Piletsky SA () . Materials Advances, 6(1), 378-387.
ÜLKER D () . Antropoloji(44), 68-75.
Ulker D, Ozyurt R, Erkasap N & Butun V () . AAPS PharmSciTech, 23(8).
() . Letters in Applied NanoBioScience, 12(1), 12-12.

Haskologlu IC, Erdag E, Ulker D, Uludag MO, Sehirli AO & Abacioglu N (2024) , Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Springer International Publishing
Taner N, Haskologlu IC, Erdag E, Mercan M, Chuckwunyere U, Ulker D, Sehirli AO & Abacioglu N (2023) , Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (pp. 427-442). Springer International Publishing

Research group: I work within highly interdisciplinary teams, collaborating with chemists, materials scientists, engineers, structural biologists, clinicians and biomedical researchers to develop innovative materials and technologies that address challenges in healthcare.

Teaching interests: Alongside my research, I am committed to research-informed education and fostering the next generation of scientists. I have over six years of experience teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biomaterials and nanotechnology, and have supervised undergraduate, MSc and PhD researchers across the UK and internationally. I am passionate about mentoring students and early career researchers, supporting their technical development, scientific communication and career progression while promoting an inclusive, collaborative and supportive research environment. Through both research and teaching, I strive to inspire curiosity, critical thinking and interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex biomedical challenges.