Irem Iskender

Irem Iskender is a Ph.D. candidate in Food Science at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, where she conducts research on bacteriophages and cell-free gene expression systems. Her doctoral work focuses on developing and optimizing in vitro platforms for bacteriophage synthesis, biomanufacturing, and functional analysis, with applications in food safety and pathogen control.

Irem earned her M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Middle East Technical University, where she investigated phage therapy against pathogenic Escherichia coli in agricultural systems. She also holds a B.Sc. in Biology with a minor in Food Science. Her interdisciplinary background bridges microbiology, biotechnology, and food safety.

As a Graduate Research Assistant, Irem contributes to an NSF-funded project on cell-free engineering and biomanufacturing of bacteriophages. Her research integrates molecular biology, transposon sequencing, and computational analysis to study phage–host interactions and improve phage production platforms. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications and regularly presents her work at national and international conferences.

In addition to her research, Irem is actively involved in teaching and outreach as a Teaching Assistant for biomanufacturing workshops and undergraduate courses. She is a member of several professional societies, including ASM and IAFP, and has received multiple awards for her research and presentations.