Gulnur Assan

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen mentorship?

I bring a unique perspective as a chemical cleaning engineer working in the oil and gas sector, with a focus on eco-friendly solutions. I have developed methods to reduce environmental harm and adapted global practices for resource-limited settings. My international experience across Turkey, Malaysia, the United States and Italy has strengthened my cultural adaptability. I hope to share industrial insights, discuss field applications of cleaning technologies, and inspire meaningful exchanges on resilience, innovation, and women's leadership in STEM.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Explore effective industrial cleaning techniques such as sodium bicarbonate blasting and hydrogel pigging.
2. Develop safer alternatives to strong acids such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric acids.
3. Gain hands-on experience with operations in an oil and gas company.

Mentorship Characteristic

• Visit an office or attend a site-visit
• Focus on technical skills building
• Identify a short-term project I can work on at the partnering company
• Gets me involved in day-to-day activities of the mentor and partnering company.

Ideal Company Type

My ideal mentor works in the energy or environmental engineering field, in a research center focused on innovation and solving industrial challenges. I would like to learn from someone who has practical experience in the field and now works in research or development. It is important for me that they understand how technical problems happen on site and how to approach them scientifically. I also hope they enjoy working in teams and sharing knowledge. I would appreciate a mentor who can guide me in connecting hands-on engineering with scientific methods and help me grow in research and professional communication.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Responsible
2. Analytical
3. Dedicated

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

This mentorship will help me explore safer, more sustainable industrial cleaning practices while strengthening my technical skills. I aim to improve the eco-friendly detergent I developed and connect with professionals working on innovative solutions. Learning from a mentor with field and lab experience will also help me grow by building the confidence to present my ideas, collaborate with researchers, and promote safer alternatives to harmful acids commonly used in my country. I also hope to gain practical experience in an oil and gas company and observe how complex cleaning challenges are addressed on-site.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

After TechWomen, I will apply the technical knowledge gained to improve eco-friendly industrial cleaning methods in my country. I will lead projects that reduce the use of harmful chemical reagents in oil and gas cleaning, promoting safety and environmental protection. I will share these innovations with industry partners and apply my leadership lessons to inspire young women to pursue STEM careers and contribute to sustainable development.

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

5

Primary Professional Focus

• Energy, renewable technology or green technology
• Scientist and researcher in technical science and/or engineering discipline
• Technical project and program manager

Education History