Listen as our hosts talk with Dr. Selcen Kilinc-Balci, an author of a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study that illustrates the importance of looking closely at how gowns and gloves work together to protect healthcare workers. The discussion provides insight into what can be done now to help protect healthcare personnel, and what may be considered as part of future standards development.

Article Title:

A Simulation Study to Assess Fluid Leakage Through the Glove-Gown Interface in Isolation Settings

Authors: Zafer Kahveci, PhD, F. Selcen Kilinc-Balci, PhD, Patrick L. Yorio, PhD

Selcen Kilinc-Balci, Ph.D.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)

Selcen has been working for National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a senior research scientist for over 11 years. She received her PhD in Polymer & Fiber Engineering from Auburn University, where she also worked as a post-doctoral researcher. Before joining CDC, she worked for DuPont as an R&D engineer. She has more than 20 years of experience in PPE, clothing comfort, testing/evaluation, fibers/fabrics, and standards/regulations. She holds a US patent, has authored/coauthored two books, four book chapters, several manuscripts, and has presented webinars. She participated in the development of CDC PPE guidelines in response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. Selcen has been a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Advisory Committee for Innovative PPE and the WHO Technical Advisory Group on PPE for COVID-19. Selcen is an editorial board member of Journal of Engineered Fibers & Fabrics for “Protective Fibers & Fabrics” and regular reviewer for various journals, like AJIC, ICHE, JOEH, and TRJ. She has worked on several projects funded by CDC, NASA, NTC, USDA, and the US Air Force. Selcen is an active member of technical committees of several organizations, including: ISO, ASTM, AAMI, NFPA, AATCC, and TAPPI where she leads and supports the developments/improvements of technical standards.