İpek Vartürk-Özcan

İpek Vartürk-Özcan, PhD, PMP

R&D Project Manager | Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Professional Profile

A PMP-certified R&D Project Manager with extensive experience leading global, cross-functional teams in the life sciences sector. Proven expertise in managing research and early development projects across diverse therapeutic areas, including immunology, hematology, and rare diseases. A confident scientific communicator with a PhD in Medicine, adept at translating complex concepts for diverse stakeholders and fostering strong relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs).

Core Competencies

Strategic Project & Program Management
PMP® Certified Methodologies
Global R&D Project Leadership
Cross-Functional Team Management
Risk Identification & Mitigation
Budgeting & Financial Forecasting
Biotechnology & Plasma Products
Immunology & Rare Diseases
Stakeholder & KOL Engagement
Regulatory, CMC & Clinical Development
Scientific Communication
Multilingual: English (C1), German (B1), Turkish (Native)

Professional Experience

R&D Project Manager

CSL Innovation GmbH, Marburg

Aug 2022 - Present

  • Lead project teams to ensure deliverables are achieved while identifying and managing risks.
  • Monitor project plans, facilitate resolution of escalated items, and manage annual budgets and long-term financial forecasts.
  • Execute information sharing with stakeholders, providing routine status updates through formal and informal channels.
  • Manage collaboration activities with external partners, including legal agreements and integration of services and technologies.

R&D Project Coordinator

CSL Behring, Marburg

Aug 2019 - Aug 2022

  • Coordinated project requirements, contracts, and invoices to support senior project managers and cross-functional R&D teams.
  • Supported monitoring of project plans, risk mitigation, and budget creation for global R&D initiatives.
  • Managed meeting minutes and Action, Decision, Issue (ADI) logs to ensure clear communication and project tracking.

Pre-clinical Scientist

Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Systems (ECCPS), Gießen

Oct 2014 - Jul 2019

  • Coordinated and managed global pre-clinical projects focused on pulmonary vascular diseases.
  • Presented research findings and project updates at major international conferences, including the American Thoracic Society.

Director at Large, Marketing & Communications

Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) Frankfurt Chapter

Mar 2023 - Present (Volunteer)

  • Provide strategic guidance on marketing and communications, ensuring compliance with HBA branding and policies.
  • Plan and implement chapter marketing, event promotion, and social media goals to support regional objectives.
  • Build and manage robust committees through recruitment, mentoring, and performance management.

Education & Certifications

Education

  • Ph.D., Veterinary Medicine and Medicine Justus Liebig University, Gießen, Germany
  • M.Sc., Biotechnology (High Honor Degree) Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
  • B.Sc., Genetics and Bioengineering Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey

Key Certifications & Memberships

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)® Project Management Institute (PMI)
  • Management Essentials GP Strategies
  • Member, Project Management Institute (PMI) Engaged with the Frankfurt/Eschborn Local Group.
  • Member, Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) Active leadership role in the Frankfurt Chapter.