Ezgi Irem Bektas obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Genetics and Bioengineering from Yeditepe University,  İstanbul. Driven by a strong interest in regenerative medicine and translational biomedical research, she pursued a PhD focused on cartilage regeneration. During her doctoral research, she investigated the potential of natural gums as biomaterial platforms to support chondrogenic tissue repair and regeneration.

Following the PhD, she continued as a postdoctoral researcher working on musculoskeletal regeneration and innate immunity. She investigated the dynamic interplay between biomaterials, innate immune responses, and tissue healing processes, with the aim of developing therapeutic strategies for musculoskeletal disorders and regenerative medicine applications.

Currently, Ezgi is a postdoctoral researcher at the MERLN in the islet research group of Aart van Apeldoorn, where she works on cell delivery-based beta cell replacement therapy for Type 1 Diabetes. Her research focuses on the development of advanced biomaterial and cell delivery strategies to enhance islet cell survival, engraftment, and functionality following transplantation, contributing to the advancement of innovative regenerative therapies for diabetes treatment.