Welcome to the Ozturk Lab!
Our program centers on bioactive compounds in milk and dairy streams. Specifically, our main goal is to develop advanced separation processes of extracting these bioactive compounds with a special emphasis on personalized nutrition and precision treatments aimed at enhancing human health.
Principle Investigator
Our research goal is to apply bio-guided processing to isolate bioactive compounds from milk or dairy streams and design and develop microbiome-centered therapeutic interventions with application in personalized nutrition and precision treatments to improve human health.
Read MorePostdoctoral Fellows
Fatemeh joined Ozturk’s lab in August 2023 after working as a senior food technologist and quality assurance manager in the food industry in Auckland. In her free time, Fatemeh enjoys reading, running, hiking, cooking, and experimenting with new foods. She is passionate about exploring new recipes and ingredients to create unique and healthy functional food products. She also serves as a member of the International Postdoctoral as well as UWPA Engagement Committees at UW-Madison.
About NassimGraduate Students
Mitchell is currently pursuing his Ph.D. and serves as a lieutenant in the Army National Guard. His prior research includes working for Dr. Briana M. Burton at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an undergraduate and post-baccalaureate through the UW-PREP program. His research focuses on dairy stream processing, utilizing membrane filtration technologies to isolate and concentrate bioactive compounds from whey protein phospholipid concentrate. Mitchell aims to leverage these technologies and bioactive substances to enhance human health. In his free time, Mitchell enjoys curling, paragliding, and playing Dungeon and Dragons.
About Mitchell
Becca earned her Bachelor in Food Science and a certificate in Art Studios at UW Madison. In undergad, she focused on product development and organic chemistry, and co-taught the first-year chemistry laboratory. Becca joined the Ozturk lab in 2024 and is researching how processing parameters affects whey protein phospholipid concentrate, an underutilized, nutrient-rich byproduct of whey protein isolate production. In her free time, Becca enjoys cooking, powerlifting, Ultimate frisbee, and astronomy.
About BeccaUndergraduate Researchers
Luis is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing degrees in Economics with Mathematical Emphasis and Biochemistry. He intends to pursue a career in medicine. Luis joined the Ozturk lab in Spring 2024. He is also vice president of his fraternity and plays for the Wisconsin Club Tennis team. In his free time, Luis enjoys playing cello and guitar, being with friends, and all kinds of sports.
About Luis
Tina is an undergraduate student majoring in Food Science with a certificate in Fermented Food and Beverages. She is interested in food product development promoting human health. She intends to enter a graduate program after graduation with focus on dairy product or microbiology. Tina joined Ozturk Lab in Fall 2024. In her free time, Tina enjoys cooking, drawing anime, and writing novels.
About Tina
Shelby is an undergraduate researcher studying Chemical Engineering with a certificate of Biology in Engineering. She aspires to work in the food sciences sector of chemical engineering post graduation. She wants to help create and develop healthy, sustainable food products and beverages. She joined the Ozturk Lab in the Spring of 2025. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, swimming, and playing with her dog Bella.
About Shelby
Kelly is a sophomore majoring in Global Health and Pharmacology-Toxicology. She’s an undergraduate researcher with a passion for improving health through research, especially in the area of dairy products and their benefits. She joined the Ozturk Lab in spring 2025. In her free time, Kelly loves watching movies and listening music.
About KellyPhoto Gallery
