Ilknur obtained her bachelor’s degree in Finance at Fontys University of Applied Science Eindhoven. Afterwards, she decided to come back to her hometown Maastricht, where she got her Master’s degree in Digital Business and Economics at Maastricht University. 

In April 2021, while still writing her thesis, she started working at the Finance department of Maastricht University. She now works as a financial consultant for MERLN and coordinates the finances of multiple research projects.