معرفی
Dr. Merve FIRAT is a Lecturer at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. She previously served as a Research Assistant at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (2017-2018, 2023) and Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation (2018-2023).
She holds a PhD in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation from Hacettepe University (2018-2023), a Master's degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation from Gazi University (2015-2018), and a Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation from Gazi University (2012-2015). She is proficient in English with a YÖKDİL score of 83 (March 17, 2018).
Dr. FIRAT's research primarily focuses on respiratory and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, with special emphasis on patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia, bronchiectasis, chronic kidney disease, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in chronic respiratory conditions. Her work bridges clinical practice with evidence-based rehabilitation approaches.
Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in investigating respiratory muscle function, exercise capacity, and quality of life across various patient populations. She has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between respiratory functions and physical performance in patients with chronic conditions, as well as developing and validating assessment tools for respiratory rehabilitation.
- Health Sciences Field Young Scientist Second Prize (2024) from Kırşehir Ahi Evran University
- Best Oral Presentation Second Prize (2017) from Child Physiotherapists Association
Dr. FIRAT is actively involved in multiple research projects, including studies on respiratory muscle strength in rheumatoid arthritis patients, arterial stiffness in ankylosing spondylitis, and the effects of exercise interventions on fibromyalgia syndrome. She has collaborated extensively with researchers from Hacettepe University, particularly with Dr. Naciye Vardar Yağlı, Dr. Melda Sağlam, and Dr. Ebru Çalık Kütükcü. Her work has been published in various journals with international indexing, contributing to the global understanding of rehabilitation approaches for chronic conditions.
She is a member of several professional organizations including the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Physiotherapists Association (2021-), Turkish Respiratory Research Society (2018-), Turkish Physiotherapists Association (2018-), European Respiratory Society (2016-), and Turkish Thoracic Society (2015-).