Dr. Pinar Omur-Ozbek

Biosketch

Dr. Pinar Omur-Ozbek is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Colorado State University. She received her Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, where she conducted an interdisciplinary research to investigate the metallic flavor of drinking water caused by iron and copper. Her research evolved from sensory analyses to medical and biomedical field to further study the effects of metal ions on the oral epithelial cells. Findings suggested a possible relation between oxidation of oral epithelial cells with iron and metallic flavor perception of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. During conducting sensory analyses she also developed the first international odor standard to be adopted and used for Flavor Profile Analysis of drinking water. She also focused on taste-and-odor problems related to algal products in source waters while pursuing her M.S. degree at Virginia Tech. Research interests of Dr. Omur-Ozbek include water quality, taste-and-odor issues with drinking water, indoor air quality (related to use of contaminated drinking water), and effect water infrastructure on flavor and safety of tap water.