Ella Csuka is a 25-year-old materials scientist from the United States developing bio-based textiles to replace fabrics made from petroleum-derived plastics.

Ecotune develops nature-inspired, bio-based textiles as alternatives to petroleum-derived materials. The company is working to turn renewable feedstocks into circular products for fashion, footwear, interiors, furniture and automotive applications, reducing both toxic inputs and carbon emissions. Its research has received funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Alexis Ohanian’s 776 Foundation. Ecotune has also attracted interest from brands across the industries it hopes to serve, connecting laboratory research with the requirements of large-scale manufacturing and product design.

Csuka founded Ecotune and leads its scientific and creative direction. As principal investigator, she oversees $2.2 million in research funding; she has also published 12 peer-reviewed scientific articles. Her role joins formal materials research with a longstanding art and design practice.