Dr. Burcu Ozden is an Assistant Professor of Engineering at Penn State Abington. She earned her Ph.D. in Physics, along with a non-thesis M.S. degree, from Auburn University, and holds both a B.S. and an M.S. in Teaching Physics from Bogaziçi University in Turkey. Her academic background combines strong expertise in physics with a deep commitment to education.
Dr. Ozden’s research focuses on the transport and optical properties of electronic devices, particularly microcavities, high electron mobility transistors, and solar cells. More recently, her work has expanded to include defects in two-dimensional materials and their role in advancing quantum technologies. Through this research, she contributes to the development of next-generation optoelectronic systems.
Equally important is her dedication to undergraduate and educational research. Dr. Ozden actively involves undergraduate students in hands-on research projects, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and early exposure to scientific inquiry. Her work in education emphasizes the value of experiential learning, focusing on innovative interventions such as developing tools for spatial visualization, integrating AI, and incorporating sustainability into engineering curricula. She investigates how these approaches impact student learning and engagement, highlighting the transformative role undergraduate research plays in students’ academic and professional development.
