S.S. Gamaniel (Shari)

I received my Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Bilkent University in 2017 and 2020, respectively. During my Master’s studies, I worked on a numerical algorithm for viscoelastic fluids in lubricated contacts where cavitation was present. This research was carried out within a project funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye.

In 2023, I obtained my Engineering Doctorate (EngD.) degree in maintenance from the University of Twente. My work focused on designing a tongue equivalent for tribological assessment of astringency from plant-based proteins, addressing the global transition towards sustainable food sources and increasing demand for plant-based proteins as an alternative to animal protein sources. Plant protein sources such as those based on pea or faba bean contain polyphenols, which lead to an unpalatable sensation of dryness, shrinking and puckering, known as astringency. The nature of interactions at oral surfaces are considered as a tribological problem, hinting at a system dependence of oral friction resulting from astringency. I adopted a systematic method towards the design of equivalent surfaces and materials used to investigate the tribological interaction of astringent foods on oral surfaces.

Currently, I am a doctoral researcher within the Skin Tribology group of the University of Twente, where I investigate the lubrication of soft tribological contacts and the friction of particle laden lubricants. For the past two years, I have lectured Statics to students in the Industrial Design Engineering Bachelor’s track.