Principal investigator

BIOSKETCH

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Inci is an Associate Professor and Associate Director (Academic Affairs, Strategies) at the Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology (MSN) and the National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Türkiye, where he leads the INCILAB. His research lies at the intersection of biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, bioengineering, chemistry, and materials science, with a particular focus on micro/nanofluidic systems, biosensors, extracellular vesicle technologies, microneedle-based platforms, and translational diagnostic technologies for healthcare and environmental applications.

His work is driven by a central goal: to develop precise, accessible, and scalable measurement technologies that bridge fundamental science and real-world applications. Through the integration of materials chemistry, bioanalytical engineering, micro/nanofabrication, and advanced sensing strategies, his research addresses critical challenges in early disease detection, personalized medicine, and decentralized healthcare.

Academic Journey

Dr. Inci received his B.Sc. degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Istanbul University, while also studying Biology as an Erasmus/Socrates exchange student at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. He subsequently earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology from Istanbul Technical University (ITU) in 2013. During his doctoral studies, he conducted research at leading institutions in Australia and the United States, including the University of New South Wales, the University of Technology Sydney, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Harvard–MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) program.

Following his Ph.D., he pursued postdoctoral training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School (2013–2014) and subsequently at Stanford University School of Medicine (2014–2016). From 2016 to 2019, he served as a Research Scientist (Academician) at the Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, where he led and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams developing micro- and nanoscale technologies for biomedical and bioengineering applications.

In 2019, Dr. Inci returned to Türkiye and joined Bilkent University’s Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology and UNAM, where he established his independent research laboratory. He also served as an Affiliated Scholar at Stanford University (2019–2021) and has held Visiting Professor appointments at Harvard Medical School (2021, 2024, and 2026).

At UNAM, he has also undertaken institutional leadership responsibilities, serving as Assistant Director for Academic Affairs and Strategies since 2024, where he contributes to international partnerships, research strategy, and large-scale scientific initiatives.

Research, Publications, and Translation

Dr. Inci has authored and co-authored 135+ scientific publications, book chapters, and books. His work has appeared in leading interdisciplinary journals including Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, ACS Nano, Chemical Reviews, Chemical Society Reviews, Analytical Chemistry, ACS Sensors, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Trends in Biotechnology, Small, Advanced Science, and Materials Today.

His research has also received broad recognition through 16 journal cover features, including covers of Advanced Materials, ACS Sensors, Analytical Chemistry, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Small, Advanced Science, Trends in Biotechnology, Journal of Materials Chemistry C, and Chemical Society Reviews. Several of his publications have been recognized as highly cited or highlighted by major scientific and medical organizations.

A central component of Dr. Inci’s research is the translation of measurement technologies from the laboratory into practical applications. He has contributed to 29 patents and patent applications, several of which have progressed toward commercialization. Two of his microfluidic technologies, CSI-Q™ and NGDE™, have been commercially licensed and are used internationally in forensic and clinical applications.

Research Leadership and Funding

Dr. Inci has participated as a principal investigator, co-investigator, or consultant in more than 60 national and international research projects, representing a combined project volume exceeding US$9.5 million. His research has been supported by major national and international funding programs, including TÜBİTAK, TÜSEB, European Union initiatives, COST Actions, and bilateral international collaborations.

His current research portfolio at Bilkent University UNAM includes more than 30 funded projects, with a combined budget of approximately US$4.3 million. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of international research partnerships spanning academia, healthcare, and technology translation.

Honors and Recognition

Dr. Inci has received 50+ national and international honors, awards, and fellowships recognizing his contributions to science, technology, and innovation. These include TÜBİTAK Incentive Award (2024) (Presidential Award), TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Young Investigator Award (2024) (Presidential Award), TÜBA-GEBİP Award (2021) (Presidential Award), BAGEP Young Scientist Award (2021), Istanbul Technical University Science Award (2026), 2025 Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı Medicine Incentive Award (2025), ODTÜ Prof. Dr. Mustafa Parlar Research Encouragement Award (2022), IBG Science Medal (2024), ACS Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (IECR) 2026 Class of Influential Researchers (2026), and ACS Measurement Science Au Rising Star Award (2026).

Internationally, he has received the Horizon 2020 Seal of Excellence from the European Commission, as well as research and travel awards from organizations including the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the European Science Foundation–European Molecular Biology Organization (ESF–EMBO).

In 2020, he was selected for the TÜBİTAK 2232 International Fellowship for Outstanding Researchers, one of Türkiye’s flagship programs for attracting and supporting internationally recognized researchers. He was also recognized by Junior Chamber International (JCI) among the Top 10 Young Persons of Türkiye (2020) and Top 20 Young Persons of the World (2021) for Medical Innovation and Invention. In 2024, he was included in the World’s Top 2% Most Influential Scientists list based on the Stanford–Elsevier bibliometric analysis.

Mentorship and Education

Mentorship is an integral part of Dr. Inci’s academic philosophy. Throughout his career, he has trained 80+ students and researchers from Türkiye, the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, India, China, and other countries.

His trainees have gone on to pursue academic and professional careers at institutions including Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Caltech, Yale, University of Antwerp, Bilkent University, Boğaziçi University, Hacettepe University, ETH Zürich, University of Oxford, Eindhoven University of Technology, North Carolina State University, and others.

At Bilkent University UNAM, he currently leads a multidisciplinary team of 15 researchers, including postdoctoral researchers, doctoral and master’s students, and undergraduate researchers. Through his laboratory and externally funded projects, he continues to mentor the next generation of scientists and engineers working at the interface of biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology.

Scientific Outreach

Dr. Inci’s research has attracted international scientific and public attention, with coverage and highlights from organizations and outlets including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), AAAS/Science, Nature Medicine, Newsweek, Popular Science, Stanford University, Boston University, and Johns Hopkins University, among others.

He has also delivered invited lectures and chaired scientific sessions at numerous national and international conferences across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, contributing to the broader exchange of ideas in micro/nanotechnology, biosensing, analytical science, and biomedical engineering.