Ergün Kırlıkovalı is a chemist and polymer scientist with decades of experience across academia, industry, and entrepreneurship in Europe and the United States. Born in İzmir, Turkey, in 1952, his career spans advanced materials research, aerospace innovation, and community leadership.

He earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Boğaziçi University and his M.S. in Polymer Science from the University of Manchester, following early research internships in Austria and the Netherlands. After working with polymer companies in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, he founded his own company in 1985 to research and develop advanced polymer technologies for aerospace applications. His work has contributed to specialized coatings used in modern stealth aircraft programs. 

Alongside his professional work, Ergün has been deeply engaged in civic and cultural life. Over the past five decades, he has actively advocated for Turkish culture, history, and heritage, including serving as President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations from 2011 to 2013. He is the recipient of numerous professional and community achievement awards.

His personal interests include international folklore, travel, and historical studies of the late Ottoman Empire and early Turkish Republic. He is married, has one son who is a research professor, and lives in Southern California.