Burcu Ozden is an Assistant Professor of Engineering at Penn State Abington. She holds a PhD and an M.S. (non-thesis) degrees in Physics from Auburn University and a B.S. and an M.S. degrees in Teaching in Physics from Bogazici University (Turkey). Her research interests include transport and optics properties of electronic devices such as microcavities, high electron mobility transistors, and solar cells, defects, and III-V materials.

Academic Positions

  • Present2018

    Assistant Professor of Engineering

    Penn State Abington, Abington, PA

  • 20182016

    Post Doctoral Research Associate

    University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

  • 20162014

    Graduate Research Assistant

    Auburn University, Auburn, AL

  • 20162013

    Tutoring Instructor

    Auburn University, Auburn, AL

  • 20132011

    Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Auburn University, Auburn, AL

  • 20102010

    Research Intern

    Essex University, Colchester, England

  • 20092009

    Research Intern

    Essex University, Colcehster, England

Education & Training

  • Ph.D. 2016

    Ph.D. in Physics

    Auburn University, Auburn, AL

  • M.S. 2013

    M.S. in Physics (Non-Thesis)

    Auburn University, Auburn, AL

  • M.S. 2011

    M.S. in Teaching in Physics (Non-Thesis)

    Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey

  • B.S. 2011

    B.S. in Teaching in Physics

    Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey

Honors & Awards

  • September 2016
    EMPD Postdoctoral Fellow Travel Award
    This is a financial award given by American Vacuum Society (AVS) Electronic Materials & Photonics Division for travel to the 2016 AVS 63rd International Symposium in Nashville, TN.
  • August 2016
    Marshall Student
    This is an honor degree which is given to two graduate students who were successful both in their classes and student involvement activities during their time at Auburn University.
  • October 2015
    College of Science and Mathematics Travel Fellowship
    This award is given by College of Science and Mathematics at Auburn University to successful graduate students who represents Auburn University in a national or international conference.
  • June 2015
    2015 Canadian-American-Mexican Graduate Student Physics Conference Travel Fellowship

    This award given by U.S. National Science Foundation, the American Physical Society’s Forum on Graduate Student Affairs, and the Sociedad Mexicana de to successful physics graduate students among all physics graduate students who applied this fellowship from USA, Canada and Mexico.
  • June 2015
    Graduate School Travel Funding
    This award is given by Auburn University Graduate School to successful graduate students who represents Auburn University in a national or international conferences. Awarded 175$ for travel expenses.
  • April 2015
    Outstanding Graduate Student
    Outstanding Graduate Student Awards recognize Auburn’s most distinguished graduate students. Ten students are chosen at the master’s or educational specialist level, and 10 more are chosen at the doctoral level. Departments nominate students for the awards, and the winners are then chosen by a committee of graduate faculty.
  • April 2015
    Outstanding Graduate Research Assistant
    Auburn University Physics Department awards its students every spring semester at the Physics Banquet. Outstanding Graduate Research Assistant award is given only one graduate student each year. Each faculty members nominate their students. Outstanding Graduate Research Assistant are chosen based on academic achievements, publications and social involvements of the student. Nominees represented at the Physics Banquet and awarded with a check.
  • March 2015
    Women of Distinction Graduate Student Leadership Award
    This award is given by the Auburn University Women's Resource Center every year to only one graduate woman student.
  • April 2014
    Outstanding Graduate Student
    Awarded as outstanding graduate student from the department of physics by International Student Organization, Auburn University.
  • March 2014
    2nd Place in paper competition Physics and Mathematics Section of AAS 91st Annual Meeting
    Ranked 2nd in paper competition in Physics and Mathematics Section of AAS 91st Annual Meeting (March 12-14 2014).
  • June 2011
    Honor Degree
    Graduated with honors degree as top ranked student and listed at Dean’s honors list at Bogazici University.
  • June-August 2010
    Erasmus Mundus Summer Internship Scholarship
    Recepient of Erasmus Mundus Summer Internship Scholarship.
  • November 2010
    Honor Student
    Awarded as an Honor Student at Bogazici University

Volunteer Experience

  • Present2014

    Member

    American Physics Society

  • 20162016

    President

    Auburn University Graduate Student Council

  • 20162015

    Vice President

    Auburn University Graduate Student Council

  • 20162015

    Graduate Student Representative

    Auburn University Academic Honesty Committee

  • 20152015

    Dining Coordination Committee Chair

    Women Leadership Conference

  • 20152015

    Graduate Student Representative

    Search Committee for Diversity Student Advocate

  • 20152015

    Event Assistant

    AU Explorer

  • 20152015

    Career Corner Representative

    Society of Women in Science and Mathematics Annual Meeting

  • 20142015

    President

    Auburn University Turkish Student Organization

  • 20162014

    Secretary

    Graduate Women in Science

  • 20142014

    Event Assistant

    Auburn University Division B Regional Science Olympiad

  • 20092009

    Volunteer

    European Volunteer Service