Derya Baran, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Candidate for Board of Directors

Dr. Derya Baran is an Associate Professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, with joint appointments in the Departments of Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, and Computer & Electrical Engineering. She earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany, and her M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Chemistry from Middle East Technical University in Turkey.

Dr. Baran's distinguished academic career began with postdoctoral research at Jülich Forschungszentrum in Germany, followed by a prestigious Helmholtz Postdoctoral Fellowship at Imperial College London in 2015. She joined KAUST as an Assistant Professor in 2017 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2021. Her research focuses on advanced organic and hybrid materials for energy harvesting and conversion, with an emphasis on low-energy printing techniques. She is particularly interested in understanding the structure-property relationships in these materials to enhance their performance and stability.

In addition to her academic endeavors, Dr. Baran is a successful entrepreneur focused on positive global impact. She co-founded ‘iyris’, where she serves as the Chief Engineer, advancing materials for sustainable agriculture technologies for hot climates. Her entrepreneurial achievements have been widely recognized; she received the Boston Consultancy Group V60 Innovators Award in 2024 and was named one of the Top Three Women Entrepreneurs in Tech in the Middle East by Forbes in 2023. Iyris (previously RedSea) has been featured in the NetZero Future50 report as part of COP28 and won the prestigious Agricultural Engineers AE50 Davidson Prize. Additionally, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2022 and selected as one of the ‘Talented 12 Chemists’ recognized by C&EN.

Dr. Baran's professional involvement extends to various esteemed editorial advisory boards. Her contributions and innovations in the field of materials science have been widely recognized, with numerous high-impact publications and several patents to her name. She is selected as a member of the Global Young Academy, an international organization with early career scholars around the world, and served as executive committee member in 2021 overseeing the governance of the organization. She is part of Scientific Excellence working group to assess the meaning of scientific excellence in academia and work towards a fair evaluation of academic promotion globally.

Her extensive involvement with the Materials Research Society (MRS) through organizing and co-chairing several symposia over the years, co-chairing in Fall 2023 and most importantly being part of MRS Focus on Sustainability team are testament for her scientific citizenship and commitment to MRS. Her leadership, successful entrepreneurial ventures, diverse background spanning from chemistry to materials science, along with her interactions with several different nations and stakeholders as well as her positive attitude and grit to make a change underscores her expertise in governance and management. These attributes make her a strong candidate for the MRS Board of Directors.

Candidate's Statement

I am honored to present myself as a candidate for the Board of Directors of MRS. As a motivated and dedicated member of the society, the inspiration for my candidacy is based around three key themes: ‘The Future, Diversity and Equity and Sustainability’.

The future of MRS lies in its members, volunteers and its staff. Engaging with its stakeholders requires proactive and enthusiastic members who would call MRS home to grow from their early career stage. As a scientist who has been involved in MRS since undergraduate, I found my mentors, colleagues, life-long friends and a belonging community in which to grow myself. Now that I am in my early-mid career, I believe I can contribute by connecting the future generations of MRS with its existing scientists and innovators, to build the Society’s thriving future. Further, staying ahead in materials science requires innovation and adaptability for the future. MRS has already begun multidisciplinary initiatives, which I would build upon and accelerate.  I intend to encourage a cross-disciplinary approach, by facilitating collaborations between different scientific disciplines to foster innovative solutions. This approach is also crucial for another important area: bridging the gap between academic research and industrial applications. I plan to build upon my own experiences of entrepreneurship, founding and building a company, to present a plan that includes establishing collaborative platforms, promoting translational research initiatives and engaging with industry leaders.

Diversity and equity are fundamental to the success of the MRS and the broader scientific community. My commitment to these values is reflected in my personal career, actions and initiatives. In my role as an executive committee member in Global Young Academy I advocated for policies that ensure equal opportunities for all members. I have supported developing programs and scholarships for underrepresented groups and building a culture of respect and inclusivity within the MRS, where every member feels valued and supported.

The MRS is a global thought leader and positioned at the forefront of materials science and research. As a board member, my goal is to contribute to the Society's mission by promoting sustainable research, sustainable growth and encouraging technological advancements that consider long-term positive impact on humanity. In today's world, it is essential to recognize the importance of thoughtful and deliberate progress. My approach to advancing materials science involves not just accelerating research but also ensuring that our developments are achievable and can be sustained. This includes advocating for slow science, which prioritizes quality and long-term impact over rapid, short-term gains.

Overall, the field of materials science is at a pivotal moment, with the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today. As a candidate for the MRS Board of Directors, I bring a unique blend of entrepreneurial experience, collaborative expertise, and a forward-thinking vision, centered on sustainability and societal impact. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the continued success and growth of the MRS.