Let’s finish our introduction with ESR 4, Bige Batı. ⭐

Bige comes from Turkey and pursued her Master’s in Polymer Science and Technology at the Istanbul Technical University, collaborating with Huntsman IFS Polyurethanes Limited on developing advanced TPU bead foams. Before starting her PhD, she worked in the R&D department of SOCAR Türkiye, where she focused on the design of polymerisation systems, investigating catalysts for PP and PE, and leading a university-industry collaboration on the synthesis of polyketones.

She began her PhD in the Dove Research Group at the University of Birmingham, focusing on the synthesis of biobased macrocyclic esters and their ring-opening polymerisation. After a year in the UK, she joined POLYKEY and the Sardon Lab at the UPV/EHU, where she advanced the development of these polyesters for packaging applications, tested their barrier properties, and explored chemical recycling techniques to close the loop on these polymers lifecycle.

During her PhD, Bige presented her findings at international conferences, and notably won the Best Poster Award at the Circular Economy Summer School 2023. She also participated in public engagements like Pint Of Science.

✍ She is now preparing two publications based on her findings.

Bige will defend her PhD thesis in February 2025 and pursue her investigations as a postdoctoral researcher within the Dove Group at the University of Birmingham, continuing her fascinating journey on sustainable polymer innovation and circular economy solutions. 🌿 ♻️

Wishing you a postdoctoral fellowship as fruitful as the PhD thesis! Good luck Bige! 💫