He received his BS degree in physics at Middle East Technical University in Turkey. He conducted his PhD studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Department of Applied Physics, in the field of growth dynamics of thin-film coatings and oblique/glancing angle deposited (GLAD) nanostructures. His doctoral research led to various awards including American Vacuum Society Graduate Research Award. After he got his PhD degree in 2003, he worked on various projects on the properties and applications of thin-films and GLAD nanostructures. He is the author and co-author of about 50 journal papers, 20 conference proceedings, 1 book chapter, 1 patent, and several pending patents.