MESM 2027
Bio
Ipek Caglar is a Fulbright Scholar pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management at the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering with High Honors from Middle East Technical University in 2025. During her undergraduate studies, Ipek completed four internships, gaining hands-on experience in sustainability, waste management, environmental consulting and compliance, and climate change adaptation. She also worked as a research assistant on a project that developed a framework to evaluate circular economy models in the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus, with a focus on sustainable water management. She studied abroad at EPF Engineering School in France in the Energy and Environment program, where she explored environmental issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. This experience broadened her outlook beyond engineering and inspired her to pursue graduate studies in environmental science and management.
At the Bren School, Ipek intends to specialize in Business and Sustainability with the ultimate goal of helping companies integrate environmental responsibility into their core operations. She seeks to guide companies in transforming environmental challenges into opportunities and in developing corporate strategies that mitigate environmental impact while creating value for both business and society.