Gozen names Dr. Sedef Uncu Aki as chief product officer

San Francisco-based biomaterials startup Gozen announced on Wednesday the appointment of Dr. Sedef Uncu Aki as its new chief product officer. 

In this role, Dr. Aki is set to lead the development and commercialization of ‘LunaForm’, an avant-garde biomaterial that stands out for being both plastic-free and animal-free while maintaining high performance. Derived from the by-products of microbial activity, this bio-based material is vegan, non-GMO, and signifies a new era in eco-conscious material science.

The breakthrough material made its debut in collaboration with fashion powerhouse Balenciaga at Paris Fashion Week last year, earning both entities the Most Innovative Partnership award at the 2023 PETA Fashion Awards.

“Dr. Aki’s extensive experience and forward-thinking approach in sustainable product development align seamlessly with Gozen’s vision of pioneering high-performance next-gen materials. Her expertise will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and lead the way in next-gen biomaterials with LunaForm and beyond,” said Ece Gozen, CEO of Gozen.

Dr. Aki joins Gozen with over two decades of expertise in sustainability and textile innovation. She was previously the director of product development and research at Orta, a leading denim brand, and the general manager at Bossa, a prominent textile company. 

Dr. Aki added, “I am thrilled to join Gozen as the chief product officer and contribute to the development of this biocreation platform that can shape an ecologically resilient future. Gozen’s commitment resonates strongly with my own values, and I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Gozen to create a positive impact on a global scale.”