Placenta plays an important role in fetal development by supporting the nutrient, gas exchange, and immunological tolerance required for the fetus. Preeclampsia begins with placental dysfunction in the first trimester. It is one of the most important pregnancy diseases which affects approximately 10% of pregnancies globally and is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although its etiopathogenesis is still not fully understood, disorders in the feto-placental region and related maternal-placental pathologies are thought to be effective. Therefore, problems with placental development and maintenance can result in pregnancy-related disorders such as preeclampsia. My research focuses on investigating the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and also investigating possible biomarkers to detect preeclampsia in the early stages of pregnancy.

I graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics in 2016. My Bachelor’s graduation project was supported by the TUBITAK 2209-A – Research Project Support Programme for Undergraduate Students. I also attended the ERASMUS Student Exchange Program at Ulm University, Ulm, Germany for 5 months in 2015. I completed my Master’s Degree at Istanbul University, Institute of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics in July 2019. My master thesis was based on investigating differentially expressed microRNAs in human decidua mesenchymal stem cells of preeclamptic women compared to healthy pregnant women.

Currently, I am a Ph.D. Candidate at Istanbul University, Institute of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Tuba Günel, and I am working as a Research Assistant in Bahçeşehir University. I teach the theory and practice of Molecular Biology and Genetics laboratory techniques to undergraduates every semester in various courses such as General Biology, Molecular Genetics, and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry.

1. Nilufer Kamali Simsek, Ali Benian, Kubra Sevgin, Yagmur Ergun, Hale Goksever Celik, Sercin Karahuseyinoglu, Tuba Gunel (2021) Microrna analysis of human decidua mesenchymal stromal cells from preeclampsia patients, Placenta, 115, 12-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2021.09.004.
2. Tuba Gunel, Nilufer Kamali, Mohammad K. Hosseini, Ece Gumusoglu, Ali Benian & Kilic Aydinli (2020) Regulatory effect of miR-195 in the placental dysfunction of preeclampsia, The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 33:6, 901-908. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2018.1508439

1. Nilüfer Kamalı, Ali Benian, Kübra Sarı, Yağmur Ergün, Hale Göksever Çelik, Serçin Karahüseyino��lu, Tuba Günel. MicroRNA analysis of decidua derived mesenchymal stem cells from preeclampsia patient by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction, VII. International Congress of Molecular Medicine, 5-7 September 2019, Istanbul, Turkey.
2. Tuba Günel, Nilüfer Kamalı, Ali Benian, Kübra Sarı, Yağmur Ergün, Hale Göksever Çelik, Serçin Karahüseyinoğlu. MicroRNA analysis of decidua derived mesenchymal stem cells from preeclampsia patient, 27th World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility (COGI), 21-23 November 2019, Paris, France.