Elif Nur Dayi

I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. at EPFL’s LNET, led by Prof. Giulia Tagliabue. My research focuses on developing nanophotonic platforms for solar-to-fuel conversion applications. Through the design, fabrication, and characterization of these systems, I aim to uncover the fundamental mechanisms governing light-driven processes at the nanoscale.

I conducted my master’s thesis under the supervision of Prof. Joel Ager on artificial photosynthesis and solar-fuel technologies. The project focused on understanding light-driven processes at photoelectrode interfaces to improve selectivity in CO₂ reduction reactions. My work involved photoelectrochemical device fabrication, characterization, and data analysis for silicon-based energy conversion systems.

I worked as a part-time research assistant at EPFL in the groups of Prof. Anna Fontcuberta i Morral and Prof. Christophe Galland on semiconductor nanowire growth, optoelectronic materials characterization, and computational nano-optics projects. My work included cleanroom fabrication, Raman/AFM/SEM characterization, data analysis, and optical simulations using Lumerical. I contributed to projects involving GeSn and III–V semiconductor nanostructures for infrared photodetectors, quantum technologies, and nan

I worked with Founderful Campus as a Campus Investment Fund Partner, evaluating early-stage deep-tech startups in photonics, energy, and advanced technologies. My role involved technical and market assessment of startup teams and technologies, as well as co-managing a student-led pre-seed investment fund supporting innovation within the EPFL ecosystem.

Worked on environmental barrier coatings for turbine applications aimed at improving high-temperature material stability and reducing emissions. My work involved sample fabrication, SEM/EDS characterization, and data analysis, resulting in a first-author publication in the Journal of the European Ceramic Society under the supervision of Dr. Nasrin Al Nasiri.

Non-degree exchange program.

Minor in Physics, Merit Based Full Tuition Fellowship Graduated with the 1st ranking in Materials Science program.