Celebrating Sustainability Fortnight
“My work here isn’t just a career—it’s a calling to make the world a better, more sustainable place.”
Dr Semra Bakkaloglu is a research associate in the Department of Chemical Engineering. She will share insights into her work at the intersection of innovation, science, and impact at a Women in Sustainability Talk on Thursday 6 March – part of Sustainability Fortnight. Sign up for the event.
A blended role
Semra’s work is a blend of research, teaching, and consultancy. She leads projects focused on reducing carbon and methane emissions from various sources and assessing the UK’s biomethane potential, while also teaching the next generation of engineers and scientists about sustainable practices.
Every day at Imperial, she is immersed in developing solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges we face.
“I thrive on the variety my role offers – one moment, I might be refining a model for emissions allocation, and the next, mentoring a student on their CREST (Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats) project or guiding a PhD researcher through their journey. The balance between academic rigor and real-world application is what makes my work so exciting and fulfilling.”
A fascinating journey
Before joining Imperial, Semra spent time in the USA, Türkiye and the UK, working across both academia and industry. She completed a master’s degree in the USA as a Fulbright Scholar and then worked for three years in a petroleum refinery in Türkiye.
“Having industrial experience in academia has equipped me with a practical perspective and a deeper understanding of real-world challenges.”
With a strong desire to advance her research, she moved to the UK to undertake a PhD as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London.
“I was incredibly fortunate to collaborate with prestigious researchers and travel across the UK and Europe for methane research. These experiences not only strengthened my expertise but also fuelled my passion for sustainability and environmental solutions.”
A bright future
Throughout her life, Semra has been driven by a desire to make a difference – something that is a daily motivator for her work in the field of sustainability.
“I love the intellectual challenge of my work and the sense of purpose it brings. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my research inform policy, industry practices, or inspire students to think differently about the future.”
She is currently applying for grants that will help deepen her expertise and research in clean technologies, low-carbon solutions, and sustainable energy systems. She also has big picture goals – both academically and personally:
“I aspire to lead my own research group at Imperial, fostering innovation and mentoring the next generation of researchers. At the same time, I envision consulting globally, working at the intersection of academia and industry to drive meaningful change.”
A balancing act
Semra aims to strike a balance between a fulfilling career and a rich family life, creating a future that blends ambition, purpose, and personal happiness. When she’s not working, you can find her outdoors – walking, cycling, or playing tennis. She is also passionate about acting in theatre, having performed in plays in Türkiye, and now attending acting classes in London.
The Imperial Value that resonates most with her most is ‘excellence’. She firmly believes that pursuing the highest standards in research, teaching, and collaboration drives meaningful impact.
“Whether I’m working on sustainability solutions, mentoring students, or engaging with industry, I am committed to continuous improvement and pushing boundaries to enhance knowledge and innovation.
“Being part of Imperial is a privilege, and it’s an honour to contribute to such a vibrant, forward-thinking community. My work here isn’t just a career—it’s a calling to make the world a better, more sustainable place.”
Read next
Meet Semra and her fellow panel members at the Women in Sustainability Talk as part of Sustainability Fortnight on Thursday 6 March. Sign up for the event.
Interested in sustainability? Check out the Sustainable Imperial webpages for information on initiatives running throughout the year, including the Sustainability Champions network, Green Impact programme, and lab sustainability schemes.