Furkan Utku Nalbant
FNPortrait of Furkan Utku Nalbant

Furkan Utku Nalbant

High school student · TÜBİTAK 2204-A researcher in polymer biomaterials · Interested in Materials Science, Biomedical, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Sivas, Türkiye · Contact info

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About

I am a science-focused student at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Foundation Science High School, where I hold a merit-based scholarship and an athlete scholarship. Mathematics and the natural sciences are the subjects I enjoy most.

My main interest is polymer-based biomedical materials. In a TÜBİTAK 2204-A research project I made porous hernia-mesh prototypes by UV polymerisation, coated them with an antimicrobial agent and tested them with microbiological culture methods. I want to study Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering or Polymer Engineering and build sustainable technologies that help people and the environment.

I am also drawn to mechanical and industrial engineering. I design parts myself: I measure real objects with a micrometre caliper, model them as STL files and produce them on a 3D printer, so I follow an idea from drawing to finished part.

Basketball has taught me discipline and teamwork. Wildlife photography has taught me patience and careful observation. Both shape how I do research.

96+/100Current GPA
TÜBİTAK 2204-AResearch project
3 + 2Regional titles and runner-up finishes
2026Photography exhibition

Research

TÜBİTAK 2204-A High School Research Project
Hernia meshes from polyurethane acrylate
TÜBİTAK 2204-A High School Students Research Projects · submitted 2026 · team member

Production of Hernia Meshes: Polyurethane Acrylate by UV Polymerisation and Antimicrobial Coating with Benzalkonium Chloride. The project develops porous hernia-mesh prototypes from biocompatible polyurethane acrylate (PUA), using UV curing and templating to control pore size and distribution so the mesh can support tissue integration.

  • Produced porous PUA mesh prototypes by UV polymerisation
  • Applied a benzalkonium chloride antimicrobial coating by dip coating, aiming for a uniform, stable layer
  • Evaluated antimicrobial performance by culturing meshes on Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA)
  • Results: no microbial growth was observed on the coated meshes cultured on TSA and SDA
  • Pore size: about 250 µm, set by the templating method
  • Fabrication: the UV-curing and templating process was straightforward and easy to reproduce
  • Stage reached: project completed and submitted to the TÜBİTAK 2204-A programme in 2026; I took part as a team member
Hernia meshPolyurethane acrylateUV polymerisationBenzalkonium chlorideAntimicrobial coating
Porous hernia mesh prototype held up in the laboratory Mesh prototype in a petri dish
UV-curing experimental project
School project group
2025 – present

Hands-on group work in a school laboratory, focused on UV curing and materials testing.

Laboratory work with a pipette and sample cuvettes

Education

Sivas Cumhuriyet University Foundation Science High School
Sivas, Türkiye
2025 – present
  • GPA: above 96/100
  • Merit-based school scholarship
  • Athlete scholarship
  • Focus: mathematics and natural sciences

Activities

Licensed basketball player, shooting guard
Cumhuriyet University Foundation College Basketball Club (CVK) youth teams · Sivas league · Kaan Karasu Basketball School
Since age 8
  • Championships and medals in the U11, U12, U14 and U16 categories: three first-place and two second-place finishes
Furkan playing basketball
Wildlife photographer
Birds and nature · Canon 60D, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 · shared on Instagram
Since 2022
  • Photographs exhibited at the Animal Protection Day photography exhibition, 5 October 2026
  • Photography portfolio on Instagram
Bird photograph by Furkan Utku Nalbant Animal Protection Day exhibition Furkan at the Animal Protection Day photography exhibition Exhibition poster

A selection of my bird and nature photographs. Click a photo to view it full size.

Wildlife photograph 1 of 20 Wildlife photograph 2 of 20 Wildlife photograph 3 of 20 Wildlife photograph 4 of 20 Wildlife photograph 5 of 20 Wildlife photograph 6 of 20 Wildlife photograph 7 of 20 Wildlife photograph 8 of 20 Wildlife photograph 9 of 20 Wildlife photograph 10 of 20 Wildlife photograph 11 of 20 Wildlife photograph 12 of 20 Wildlife photograph 13 of 20 Wildlife photograph 14 of 20 Wildlife photograph 15 of 20 Wildlife photograph 16 of 20 Wildlife photograph 17 of 20 Wildlife photograph 18 of 20 Wildlife photograph 19 of 20 Wildlife photograph 20 of 20
@furkan.utku_wildlife →
3D design and 3D printing

I measure objects with a micrometre caliper, turn the data into drawings, build STL files in beginner 3D software and print them. Designing and producing parts is what draws me to mechanical and industrial engineering.

3D printed object
Theatre and drama
2025

Member of school theatre groups and drama projects.

Excerpt from a school drama project, 2025

Skills

Laboratory

UV polymerisationBiomaterials researchAntimicrobial coatingSample preparationMicrobiological culture

Technical

3D modelling (STL)3D printingDesign-to-production workflowPrecision measurement

Personal

TeamworkProblem-solvingScientific enquiryTime management