Dilek DOGutan Kiper

Principal Research Scientist And lecturer I dilek@chemistry.harvard.edu

PhD, Organic Chemistry, 2008, North Carolina State University

Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chemistry

Harvard University Extension School, Master of Liberal Arts, Management

BSc, Chemistry, 1998, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

Dilek completed her Ph.D. studies under the supervision of Professor Jonathan S. Lindsey at North Carolina State University in Organic and Macrocyclic (Porphyrins in particular) Chemistry. During her postdoctoral studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dilek worked on developing new methodologies for the multistep synthesis of porphyrins, corroles, chlorins and other macrocycles by introducing microwave assisted macrocycle forming reaction in high yields. She prepared macrocyclic molecular catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Her syntheses of hangman macrocycles have been crucial to determining the PCET mechanisms of these energy conversion reactions.

Dilek joined Harvard CCB in 2013 as a Principal Research Scientist. In addition to her research, she has taught classroom and lab courses in organic and inorganic chemistry. Dilek has developed a new curriculum for Chem 145 Experimental Inorganic Chemistry for remote and in-class teaching of laboratory methods. As a new pedagogical approach, Dilek started constructive learning laboratory curriculum for undergraduate students to provide them with the opportunity to write peer reviewed academic papers. With the support of the Harvard Chemistry Club and the CCB Department, Dilek organizes an annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. The Symposium welcomes both oral and poster presentations from across campus, including Harvard Medical School, MGH, DFCI, Broad Institute, and the CCB’s advance laboratory courses. Starting Spring 2024, Dilek is working on a new summer research training program called Foundational Undergraduate Experiences in Lab-FUEL to assist undergraduate students with smooth and safe entrance to the advanced academic research laboratories of the Faculty in CCB and across Harvard campuses. She has led interdisciplinary projects across Harvard campuses in energy and policy including climate projects with the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies and the Harvard Kennedy School. Beyond these academic endeavors, she has been responsible for facilitating research of many undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students in the Nocera group.