O. Cahit Eralp

Prof. Dr. O. Cahit Eralp served as a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Middle East Technical University (METU) from 1990 until his passing in 2010. He joined METU in 1971 as an assistant and progressed through roles including Instructor (1980–1981), Assistant Professor (1981–1984), and Associate Professor (1984–1990). His academic journey included BS/MS from METU (1971/1974) and a PhD from Cranfield Institute of Technology (1980).

His research focused on Fluid Mechanics, Gas Turbines, Pipelines, and Industrial Ventilation. He designed the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at METU, emphasizing in-house experimental setups. He advised 61 graduate theses and contributed to 61 industrial projects. Administrative roles included METU Natural Sciences Institute Executive Board (2001–2010), TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Institute (2005–2007), and TÜBİTAK Defense Industry R&D Institute (2007–on).

Internationally, he served in NATO AGARD panels on Gas Turbine Propulsion and Energetics (1996–2001). Awards include ARÇELİK’s Total Quality Award (1996) and METU’s Academic Performance Award (2004). He was a member of ASME, the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers, and contributed to Turkish Folk Science initiatives, including studies on Ney (a traditional flute).

Posthumously, Arçelik named its R&D Lab after him, and tributes included theatrical performances (Mor Cepken - Sedefli Kama) and a concert by METU’s Folk Music Choir.