Leyla Gamze Tolun

After completing her undergraduate degree in METU Environmental Engineering Department and her master's degree in ITU Environmental Engineering Department, Leyla G. Tolun completed her PhD in marine chemistry-geochemistry at IU Marine Sciences and Management Institute. Dr. Tolun has been an integral part of TÜBİTAK MAM since 1990, where she has undertaken pivotal roles, including overseeing Marine Laboratory operations and leading Strategic Business Units. During her tenure, she conducted postdoctoral research at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory in England and the GSF Environment and Health Institute in Germany, focusing on ecotoxicity in aquatic organisms and the presence of organic pollutants in marine ecosystems. Her primary research interest revolves around marine pollution stemming from anthropogenic influences. Dr. Tolun's research portfolio extends across diverse domains, encompassing sediment quality assessment, the evaluation of pollutant effects and risks, integrated pollution monitoring and assessment, as well as the management of coastal areas. She has played key roles as a researcher or coordinator in numerous national and international projects. Notably, her contributions to projects like DEKoS, MarinTurk (with a particular emphasis on the implementation of the Maritime Strategy Framework Directive, especially concerning coastal and sea water pollutants), KIYITEMA (establishing EQSs for pollutants), and MISIS have been instrumental. Dr. Tolun spearheaded the management of "DİPTAR" a national, multidisciplinary R&D initiative focusing on Sustainable Dredged Material Management, overseeing the successful execution of its deliverables in collaboration with the project team (TÜBİTAK 1007). As a key expert, she made significant contributions to the MarinTurk Project, which aimed to build capacity for