Veysel Ogulcan Kaya, MS

Ph.D. Student

vogulcan@sabanciuniv.edu

● Highly motivated and innovative molecular biology grad with specialization in genetics, computational biology and bioinformatics.

● Experienced in development and execution of biotech projects.

● Passionate about learning new scientific skills.

● Enthusiastic team player adept at providing leadership while also learning from fellow team members.

● Experienced in managing multiple projects simultaneously.

EDUCATION

Sabanci University, Istanbul / Turkey 2018 - 2020

MSc in Molecular Biology & Genetics and Bioengineering w/ Thesis

Sabanci University, Istanbul / Turkey 2014 - 2018

BSc in Molecular Biology & Genetics and Bioengineering

Fh Aachen, Aachen / Germany 2013 - 2014

Mechanical Engineering / Preparation Year

EXPERIENCE

● Co-Founder & CSO at Molecs Biotech Inc. 5/2019 - 9/2020

  1. Scientific and Project Leader at developing an Analysis Web Platform for RNA-seq experiments a. Supported and granted by ​TUBITAK 1512 b. Supported and granted by​ Sabanci University SuAsset ​ - Two times

  2. Scientific and Project Leader for developing a Web Platform for NGS-based Cancer Diagnostics a. Supported and granted by ​ Bayer Pharmaceuticals

● Msc Thesis Project 9/2018 - 6/2020

  1. Determining properties of the most frequent genetic variants in Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene involved in Gaucher’s Disease and Investigating potential therapeutic applications

● Msc Side Projects 9/2018 - 6/2020

  1. Investigation on novel PKC targets
  2. Investigating genome-wide UV repair events of mouse lemur and human
  3. Performing differential gene expression analyses and functional annotations of tumor suppressor genes
  4. Investigating novel biocoatings to enhance heat transfer

● BSc Graduation Project II 9/2017 – 1/2018

  1. Targeted Gene Delivery of Nucleic Acid-Based Molecules depending on Magnetic Transfection

● BSc Graduation Project I 2/2017 – 6/2017

  1. Production of Recombinant Ago2 Protein and Ago2 Domains in DH5-Alpha E.coli and Pichia pastoris, Purification - Testing of RNA Binding Ability

● Sentromer DNA Technologies, R&D Intern 2017 (Summer Term)

  1. Developing a Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification Method for Point of Care Diagnostics

  2. Developing an Oligonucleotide Ligation Method for Gene Synthesis

● Uludag University Cancer Genetics Lab​, Voluntary Internship 2016 (Summer Term)

  1. DNA sequencing from patients’ samples
  2. Cancer driver mutation diagnostics and informatics

● Freshman Year Project Course - Molecular Dynamics & Visualization ​ 2015 Fall

  1. Analyzing and simulating drugs entering cell membrane using VMD and NAMD
  2. Collecting and managing data using Matlab

● Fh Aachen - Praktikum 2013 - 2014

  1. Mechanical Engineering Internship
  2. Electrical- Electronic Engineering Internship
  3. Technical Drawing Internship
  4. Web Programming Internship
  5. Physics Internship

● Sabanci University Civic Involvement Project 2015 Fall

  1. A voluntary helpful project with elementary school children who lives in poorer regions; which includes many activities such as playing educative games which they enjoy once a week.

Publications

● Akkose U., ​ Kaya V. O ​., Lindsey-Boltz L., Karagoz Z., Brown A.D., Larsen P.A., Yoder A.D., Sancar A., Adebali O. (2020) Comparative analyses of two primate species diverged by more than 60 million years show different rates but similar distribution of genome-wide UV repair events. Biorxiv Preprint

● Kaleli, H. N., Ozer, E., ​ Kaya, V. O ​., & Kutlu, O. (2020). Protein Kinase C Isozymes and Autophagy during Neurodegenerative Disease Progression. Cells, 9(3), 553. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells

● Zuvin, M., Kuruoglu, E., ​ Kaya, V. O ​., Unal, O., Kutlu, O., Yagci Acar, H., Gozuacik, D., & Koşar, A. (2019). Magnetofection of Green Fluorescent Protein Encoding DNA-Bearing Polyethyleneimine-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles to Human Breast Cancer Cells. ACS omega, 4(7), 12366–12374. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.9b

Dry-Lab Skills

  1. Background in algorithms and software development
  2. Next Gen sequencing technology, tool usage, and data analysis
  3. Understanding & usage of biostatistics and bioinformatics algorithms
  4. Scripting experience with Python, R, Julia and C#
  5. Innovates on new methods / processes to extract actionable insight from large genomic datasets and contribute to the launch of new products
  6. To perform machine learning and data-driven analyses to investigate the association between disease phenotypes and genetic variants for NGS analysis pipelines
  7. Curate and manage large datasets, gather end user requirements
  8. Evaluate tools and coordinate efforts between the project members to define, validate and implement software for data management and analysis
  9. Work with a business development and product development team to evaluate new opportunities in algorithm and/or software development related to RNA-seq NGS applications

Wet-Lab Skills

  1. Accurately, safely and appropriately use all the equipment regularly used in DNA manipulation, including balances, pipettes, electrophoresis and centrifuges
  2. Prepare chemical solution and reagents to the precision appropriate to the task
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the biochemical basis underpinning the molecular biology techniques
  4. Perform Site-directed Mutagenesis experiments, independently clone any gene into a plasmid vector (from RNA extraction, reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction, ligation, bacterial transformation, to DNA extraction, DNA mapping and primer design)
  5. Transfect plasmids and silencing RNAs to over-express or knock down protein expression in a primary cell line, extract protein, assess and quantify expression using Western blotting and Immunoblotting
  6. Carry out molecular biology experiments and interpret the results, designing a strategy to circumvent potential failed experiments
  7. Carry out mammalian cell culture techniques
  8. Visualization of cellular proteins with Indirect Staining and Confocal Microscopy

Languages

  1. Turkish / Native
  2. German / B2 with Certificate
  3. English / C2
  4. Spanish / A1 – Entry Level (High School)
  5. French / A1 – Entry Level (Elementary and High School)

Activities

  1. Game Development with Unity Game Engine
  2. Amateur 2* Sailor, SuSail – Sabanci University Sailing Club
  3. 1* Scuba Diver, SUSS - Sabanci University Underwater Sports Club

References

Available on request.