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Karya Körükcü is studying in the Bioproducts Engineering master's programme at the Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering. To Karya, the best thing about Aalto is that no one tries to fit the students into a box:

“No one tells you that because you study one field, you can’t take courses from another department or school. Instead, students are encouraged to become multidisciplinary experts who can combine different perspectives.”

Karya was born in Turkey and earned her Bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from the Izmir Institute of Technology. During the final summer of her Bachelor’s studies, she attended a summer school at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The experience sparked her passion for international education.

When it came time to apply for a Master’s programme, Karya’s first choice was Biotechnology at Aalto University. However, she ended up studying Bioproducts Engineering after receiving a full scholarship — a decision that opened an unexpected and inspiring path for her career.

Karya’s major, Bioproducts Engineering, is one of four specialisation options within the School of Chemical Engineering’s Master’s programme, all taught in English.

“I am particularly interested in biomass processing and cellulose chemistry. I’ve also taken courses from the biotechnology programme. For my Bachelor’s thesis, I studied paper-based microfluidic devices, and I’ve also chosen a microfluidics course from the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science. It’s great that I can combine courses and perspectives from different fields.”

Karya is currently taking the Planning and Execution of a Biorefinery Investment Project course, which covers the full life cycle of an investment project. Part of the lectures and the process design exercise are carried out in a consulting company.

“The three workshops of the course are held at AFRY’s office, where we take on the role of real engineers. We’re designing a textile recycling plant, and in one workshop our task was to pitch the idea to investors. We dressed up and acted like real consultants from an engineering firm.”

Daring to cross boundaries

Halfway through her first Master’s year, Karya began working in Professor Jaana Vapaavuori’s research group, which creates multifunctional materials by combining several different functionalities in one material. The group studies, among other things, thermally responsive smart textiles, light-driven artificial muscles, and the use of nanocellulose as a support material in solar cells.

“I got the chance to join a project developing a glucose biosensor for people with diabetes. The sensor will sense the glucose levels in sweat non-enzymatically, using an electrochemical method. The sensor would be patch-like and non-invasive — in other words, the measurement could be done without a blood sample.”

Although biosensors were already familiar to Karya, electrochemistry was new territory. The work taught her a great deal about both organic and inorganic chemistry. She worked part-time from January to May and then full-time over the summer.

During the job interview, Karya gathered the courage to ask the professor why she wanted to hire a bioengineer in a group full of material and chemical engineers. The professor replied: ”Exactly for that reason — as a bioengineer, you have experiences that could be helpful for us.”That moment changed Karya’s view of academia and life in general: thinking across boundaries is a strength, and sometimes your unique background is exactly what’s needed.

Aiming for doctoral studies and an academic career

Karya hopes to continue working on biosensors or wearable sensors to complete her Master's thesis. She plans to explore ways to integrate biobased layers into an electrochemical sensor to make it more environmentally friendly and possibly also more accurate with enhanced properties.

“I’m currently conducting a literature review to present my idea to the professor. The topic fits well with my background in bioproduct engineering.”

At the beginning of her studies, Karya struggled with being the only bioengineer in a group where everyone else had a chemistry or chemical engineering background.

“I loved my courses and still do, everything feels really exciting. But at first, I sometimes wondered if I should have chosen biotechnology after all.”

Now, her perspective has changed. “I’m really happy that I found my own path in chemistry. I’m proud to be an engineer and grateful that Aalto gave me the opportunity to discover my direction.”

After graduation, Karya wants to continue in academia.

”Beyond learning, I also love teaching. One day, I hope to become a professor. That would be my dream.”

Text: Marjukka Puolakka