[1][2] Ulubelen contributed to the isolation and testing of natural products from Turkish plants relevant to spontaneous abortion, cancer, HIV, and diabetes.

[citation needed] She sought a position in chemical industry, but became analytical chemist at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Istanbul University,[when?]

She has mentored over 20 graduate students, of whom many have proceeded to prominent positions[citation needed] in academia, as well as pharmaceutical and chemical companies.

Ten compounds from the source plant were studied, including screening by a Faculty of Medicine group for toxic effects to the ovaries, livers, kidneys, and brain.

[6] Ulubelen's honors include: Honorary Membership to the Chemical Society of Turkey (first award recipient, 1985), NATO Scientific Committee membership (selected from among ten NATO countries, 1986–1990), Science Award by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (1991), full member (1994–2001) and honorary member of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (2001-2020), and the American Pharmaceutical Association Young Scientist awards (1962, 1963, 1964).