Onur Varol is an Assistant Professor at Sabanci University's Computer Science Department and leads the VIRAL Lab, which focuses on computational social science, network science, and machine learning. He has affiliations with the Center of Excellence for Data Analytics. His research spans social bot detection, misinformation analysis, and online behavior modeling.
Prof. Dr. Menelaos Gkartzios is a distinguished academic affiliated with the Department of City and Regional Planning at Middle East Technical University , with extensive experience at institutions including Newcastle University , Izmir Institute of Technology , and University College Dublin . He has served as a Visiting Professor at Tongji University and contributes to editorial boards such as Habitat International and Journal of Rural Studies . Education: PhD in Regional & Urban Planning, University College Dublin (2008) MSc in Environmental Resource Management, University College Dublin (2003) MAgrSc in Agricultural Economics & Rural Development, Agricultural University of Athens (2002) PGCert in Advanced Studies in Academic Practice, Newcastle University (2014) Research Focus: His work bridges sustainable rural development , urban-rural dynamics , and the cultural dimensions of place-making . Key themes include counterurbanisation , rural mobilities , and artistic practice in planning . Publication Trends: Recent articles and books examine climate-driven migration , community co-creation , and rural housing paradoxes . His scholarship spans interdisciplinary frameworks, merging rural sociology , geography , and planning theory . Leadership Roles: He co-leads the AESOP Thematic Group on Rural Planning and contributes to global planning discourse through edited volumes like The Routledge Companion to Rural Planning .
Prof. Dr. Hakkı Polat Gülkan is a Professor at Başkent University's Civil Engineering Department. With a PhD (1971) and Master's (1968) from the University of Illinois in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor's (1966) from METU, his career spans over five decades in earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, and disaster management. PhD: University of Illinois, Civil Engineering (1971) Master's: University of Illinois, Civil Engineering (1968) Bachelor's: Middle East Technical University, Civil Engineering (1966) His research focuses on seismic risk assessment, structural behavior under extreme loads, and disaster mitigation strategies. Key contributions include earthquake simulator development, ground motion analysis, and retrofitting techniques for masonry and reinforced concrete structures. He has published extensively on deformation limits, response spectra, and historical building preservation. Recent work includes 15+ articles from 2024-2012 analyzing Istanbul's seismic hazards, Marmara region dynamics, and post-earthquake structural integrity. Conference papers address Turkey's endemic building vulnerabilities and deformation thresholds for seismic isolation systems. Scientific Achievements: Elected to U.S. National Academy of Engineering (2023) As an active journal reviewer for 13+ publications (2023-2024), he contributes to advancing earthquake engineering discourse. His teaching portfolio includes advanced structural analysis, concrete mechanics, and seismic design courses.
Dr. Emre Alp is an Associate Professor at the Environmental Engineering Department of Middle East Technical University (METU) , where he has served since 2014. Previously, he held roles as Assistant Professor (2011-2014), Instructor (2008-2011), and Part-time Instructor (2008). His research spans Watershed Management , Water-Energy-Food Nexus , and Environmental Economics , with a focus on Diffuse Pollution and Water Quality Modeling using GIS and Remote Sensing . Education : Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2006), M.S. in Environmental Engineering (1999), and B.S. in Environmental Engineering (1997) from METU and Marquette University. Research : His work integrates Environmental Risk Assessment with optimization models like SWAT for nutrient load analysis, economic valuation of ecosystems, and urban waterway pollution control. Key projects include Sustainable Stormwater Management on METU campus and Water-Energy Nexus studies in Turkey. Publications : Over 14 refereed journal articles since 2007, focusing on Urban Hydrology , Environmental Economics , and Watershed Modeling . Awards : Post-Doctoral Scholarship (Marquette University, 2006-2008) and Research/Teaching Assistantships (Marquette, 2000-2006). Students : Supervised 2 Ph.D. and 7 M.S. theses on topics like climate change impacts, water allocation, and pollution control.
A. Alperen Günay is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Bilkent University . He previously served as an Assistant Professor at METU (2021-2023) and as a researcher at The University of Tokyo (2019-2021). Günay earned his PhD and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under Dr. Nenad Miljkovic. Current Affiliation: Bilkent University Prior Affiliations: METU, University of Tokyo Education: PhD (UIUC), MS (UIUC), BS (METU) Research Focus : Developing green passive thermal devices through nanomaterials and phase change technologies. Key areas include radiative cooling , thermophotovoltaic systems , and nanomaterial-based heat sinks . His work spans energy conversion, thermal management, and optical property characterization. Scientific Awards : TÜBİTAK 2232-B Award Laboratory Leadership : Dr. Günay directs the Thermal Research & Optics Laboratory (TROL), focusing on projects like metal-organic framework systems , passive evaporative cooling , and greenhouse films for year-round thermal regulation .
Can ÖZCAN is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Industrial Design Department at İzmir University of Economics (IUE) since 2006. He holds a PhD in Semiotics from Dokuz Eylül University and is the Director of EKOTAM Design Research and Application Center. His academic career includes roles at Izmir Institute of Technology and Yeditepe University, where he contributed to department establishment and curriculum development. Education: B.ID (Middle East Technical University), MSc/PhD (Dokuz Eylül University, Semiotics) Research focuses on Design Project Management, History of Industrial Design, Design Education, and Semiotics. He explores design's role in crime prevention, cultural industries, and food packaging through projects like 'Secure Urban Environments by Design' and 'Menemen Pottery Development Model'. Administratively, he led EKOTAM (2011–present) and managed industry collaborations in product/service design, brand development, and franchising. His courses include advanced topics in design management, semiotics, and design history. Notable projects include EU-funded urban security frameworks and brand identity studies for Turkish agricultural products. He has advised over a dozen graduate theses on topics ranging from yacht design to sustainability in cities.
Tuğba Dalyan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Istanbul Bilgi University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Yıldız Technical University (2014), an MSc from Kocaeli University (2007), and dual BSc degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science and Business Administration (Minor) from Istanbul Bilgi University (2003). She has been a faculty member since 2016 and previously served as a Teaching Staff member and Research Assistant at the same institution. Her research focuses on Natural Language Processing , Machine Learning , Deep Learning , Text Mining , Data Science , and Big Data Analytics . Her work spans computational linguistics, sentiment analysis, author profiling, machine translation, and smart systems. She has led and contributed to numerous research projects, particularly in AI-driven urban solutions and health technologies. The most recent publications show a strong trend in Turkish NLP, zero-shot classification, multimodal AI (image captioning), emotional robotics, and decision support systems using fuzzy logic. Her work combines theoretical rigor with practical applications in smart cities, education, and healthcare. Best Paper Award , CICLing 2012 TÜBİTAK 2209-A student project awards (2022–2024) Horizon2020 Eşik Üstü Ödülü , MIMOSCSA 2024 TÜBİTAK 2242 competition: 2nd and 3rd place (2016, 2018) She has advised numerous student research projects, many of which have received national recognition. She has directed multiple TÜBİTAK and institutional research grants, including projects on smart homes, blockchain crowdfunding, mental health, and AI for social polarization. Her leadership roles include Head of Department, Vice Dean, and Director of Graduate Programs. Tuğba Dalyan leads research in AI and NLP with a strong emphasis on Turkish language technologies. She is involved in interdisciplinary teams working on emotional robots, smart city platforms, and citizen science ecosystems. Her lab activities focus on neural networks, text analysis, and intelligent systems development.
Professor Atilla Ansal is a distinguished academic in Civil Engineering at Özyeğin University's School of Engineering, where he has served as a full-time professor since March 2012 and previously as the Founding Chair of the Civil Engineering Department from 2012-2019. With an extensive career spanning over five decades, Professor Ansal has held prominent positions at Istanbul Technical University, Bogaziçi University's Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, and has served as a visiting professor at numerous international institutions including Northwestern University, University of California, and Tokyo University. Northwestern University, 1978 (Doctorate) Civil Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 1969 (Master's) Civil Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 1969 (Bachelor's) Professor Ansal's research focuses on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering, Soil Dynamics, Seismic Hazard Analysis, Landslide hazard analysis, Seismic Microzonation, and Laboratory and In-Situ Testing of Soil Properties. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of soil behavior under seismic loading, site response analysis, and seismic microzonation methodologies. His research has direct applications in urban planning, earthquake risk mitigation, and performance-based seismic design. Professor Ansal has pioneered approaches to site-specific earthquake characterization and developed methodologies for seismic microzonation that have been implemented in numerous Turkish cities and adopted internationally. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to earthquake engineering, with recent work focusing on probabilistic seismic microzonation, 2D basin effects, site-specific response analysis, and performance-based design approaches. His research shows a clear evolution from fundamental soil behavior studies to practical applications in urban risk assessment and mitigation. 7th Prof.N.Ambraseys Lecturer (2024), European Association for Earthquake Engineering 15th Nonveiller Lecturer (2017), Croatian Geotechnical Society Third Prof.Dr. Rıfat Yarar Lecturer (2015), Turkish Civil Engineers Association Third Ord.Prof.Dr. Hamdi Peynircioglu Lecturer (1988) Professor Ansal has advised 15 PhD students and 27 Master's students, shaping the next generation of earthquake engineers. His leadership extends to editorial roles as Editor-in-Chief of the Springer journal 'Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering' since 2002 and Editor-in-Chief for the Springer book series on 'Geotechnical, Geological and Earthquake Engineering'. He served as Secretary General (1994-2014), President (2014-2018), and Vice President (2018-2022) of the European Association for Earthquake Engineering, significantly influencing the field internationally. His work has been supported by numerous grants from Turkish government agencies, international organizations including UNESCO, and collaborative research projects across Europe. Professor Ansal has been instrumental in establishing geotechnical monitoring systems in Istanbul, including vertical arrays for site response analysis. His leadership in the 'Earthquake Master Plan for Istanbul' and 'Seismic Microzonation for Municipalities' projects has created critical infrastructure for earthquake risk management in Turkey's most populous city. His work with GeoIst, Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Consultancy Inc. has translated academic research into practical engineering solutions for seismic risk mitigation.
Professor Ali Yapar is a faculty member at Istanbul Technical University in the Electronics and Communication Engineering department. His research focuses on Electromagnetics , Microwave Engineering , and Antenna Technologies , with a particular emphasis on inverse scattering problems and microwave imaging for biomedical applications. He has supervised numerous graduate students and led projects related to breast cancer treatment and rough surface imaging. PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Istanbul Technical University (1997) MSc in Electronics and Communication Engineering (1995) His recent publications analyze advanced techniques for microwave hyperthermia systems, reverse time migration methods, and Newton-based solutions for electromagnetic inverse scattering. Key projects include TUBITAK-funded initiatives on microwave tomography and brain stroke imaging. He serves as a project investigator and executive for electromagnetic research programs. Research areas span Electromagnetic Wave Propagation , Green's Function Applications , and Dielectric Material Analysis . Collaborations include IEEE members and international researchers in computational electromagnetics.
Dr. Didem Sari Ay serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University's Rafet Kayış Faculty of Engineering. She earned her PhD in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Iowa State University (2017) following an MS in Operations Research from North Carolina State University (2013) and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Sakarya University (2008). Her educational background includes: PhD, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Iowa State University (2013-2017) MS, Operations Research, North Carolina State University (2011-2013) BS, Industrial Engineering, Sakarya University (2004-2008) Dr. Sari Ay specializes in Operations Research with emphases on stochastic programming and energy systems optimization. Her work develops statistical methodologies for scenario generation quality assessment in wind power integration and unit commitment problems, addressing uncertainty through advanced optimization frameworks. She bridges theoretical stochastic models with practical energy market applications. Her 2016-2019 publications demonstrate consistent innovation in stochastic unit commitment, introducing reliability metrics and validation techniques for wind power scenarios. These works establish statistical foundations for decision-making under uncertainty in power systems, with significant contributions to scenario quality assessment frameworks. She received the Teaching Excellence Award from Iowa State University in 2016 and maintains active INFORMS membership since 2014. Administrative service includes Department Head duties at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (2018-2019). No information is available regarding graduate student supervision, research grants, or laboratory affiliations.
Mustafa Aksu is a Professor at Istanbul University's Faculty of Law, Department of Civil Law. His research spans Civil Law , Intellectual Property Law , Information Law , and EU Legal Harmonization . He has advised 26 theses and published extensively on digital rights, family law, and obligations law. Research Interests: Focus on AI and law, copyright exhaustion in digital markets, EU-Turkey legal alignment, domain name regulation, and protection of computer programs. Publications: Recent works include AI's legal frameworks (2023), medical informatics law (2021), and digital exhaustion doctrine (2016). His research emphasizes cross-border IP enforcement and EU court precedents. Contact: Email aksum@istanbul.edu.tr | Office: Hukuk Fakültesi Binası, İkinci Kat, Oda No: 38, Beyazıt, Istanbul, Turkey.
Prof. Dr. Ozan Seymen Sezen is an Associate Professor specializing in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Diseases with dual affiliations at Istanbul Okan University Hospital since 2019 and Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital since 2001. He earned his medical degree from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 1993, completed his ENT specialization in 2000 after training at the University of Michigan Medical School, and achieved associate professorship status in 2012. His educational background includes: Master's Degree from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine Medical Specialization in ENT at SB Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital Associate Professorship in ENT at the same institution Prof. Sezen has developed specialized expertise in facial aesthetic and plastic surgery, particularly rhinoplasty, with additional focus on snoring and sleep apnea surgery, ear diseases and surgery, and sinus diseases and surgery. His clinical practice significantly exceeds typical volumes in endoscopic sinus surgery, sleep apnea procedures, rhinoplasty, and head and neck cancer surgeries. His research spans surgical innovations, pathological studies, and interdisciplinary connections between ENT and other medical specialties. His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly contributions over two decades, with recent emphasis on sleep apnea treatment techniques, rhinoplasty innovations, and physiological impacts of ENT interventions. The research shows strong translational focus from laboratory studies to clinical applications. Key professional recognitions include: European Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Certificate of Competency (2012) Fellow of the European Board of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery As an educator, Prof. Sezen has continuously provided scientific, practical, and surgical training to resident doctors and medical students throughout his career. He has participated in over 20 national and international courses and congresses between 2010-2018, with specialized focus on facial plastic surgery techniques. His research collaborations span multiple institutions with emphasis on advancing ENT surgical practices through evidence-based approaches. Professional affiliations demonstrate his commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, including membership in the Turkish Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Association, Facial Plastic Surgery Association, Turkish Sleep Research Association, European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Volkan İpek serves as a faculty member at Yeditepe University's Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences within the Department of Political Science and International Relations. Holding a PhD from Bilkent University, he has been actively teaching courses including African Society and Politics, Turkish Foreign Policy, and Political Ethics since 2017, contributing significantly to international relations scholarship with a focus on Africa-Turkey dynamics. Dr. İpek completed his undergraduate studies in International Relations at Bilkent University (1999-2004) followed by an integrated PhD in Political Science at the same institution (2004-2015), where his doctoral thesis examined Morocco's quest for European Community membership through post-colonial theory. His research centers on African Studies and Turkish Foreign Policy, particularly analyzing Turkey's diplomatic engagement with Sub-Saharan Africa, migration governance, and EU-Africa relations. He employs interdisciplinary and post-colonial frameworks to investigate political identity formation, humanitarian responses, and emerging power dynamics, with notable contributions to understanding Turkey's soft power expansion in Africa. Analysis of his 2018-2024 publications reveals intensifying focus on contemporary African challenges including pandemic response (Ebola), counterterrorism strategies, sports diplomacy (FIFA World Cup), and Sahel region politics. His works demonstrate methodological diversity spanning theoretical analyses, case studies on Somalia and Ethiopia, and multi-volume regional assessments. Dr. İpek has supervised four master's theses on migration patterns, humanitarian aid comparisons, and counterterrorism approaches in Africa. He has contributed as researcher to three externally funded projects: Supporting Capacities of the Presidency of Migration Management (2023), Supporting Development of Return Counselling Capacities in Türkiye (2022), and Türkiye's Migration Management Support Project (2019-2020), all addressing EU-Turkey migration cooperation.
Dr. Morteza Ghorbani is a researcher and faculty member at Sabancı University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS), specializing in fluid mechanics and environmental engineering. He leads the AquaCav project, a collaborative effort with Oxford Brookes University, focused on developing sustainable water treatment solutions using hydrodynamic and acoustic cavitation. His research addresses global challenges such as PFAS pollution and wastewater management, with applications in biomedical devices and energy-efficient technologies. Key collaborations include projects funded by the International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF), leveraging his expertise in microfluidic systems and cavitation dynamics. Dr. Ghorbani's work combines experimental and numerical methods to optimize cavitation-based processes for environmental and biomedical applications. His contributions span from fundamental fluid dynamics studies to applied technologies like flexible cystoscopes and clot-on-a-chip platforms. Scientific achievements include the ISPF Research Collaboration Grant (2024) and advancements in PFAS removal, graphene exfoliation, and microalgae cultivation. His research group at Sabancı University explores interdisciplinary solutions at the intersection of engineering, nanotechnology, and sustainability.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet ÖZMEN is a Professor at Sakarya University's Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences, Department of Software Engineering. He has held various administrative positions including Head of the Software Engineering Department (2019-2028) and Director of the Computer Research and Application Center (2019-2022). With extensive experience in academia since 1991, he has made significant contributions to computer vision, traffic monitoring systems, and sensor technologies. Sakarya University: Professor (2019-present), Associate Professor (2011-2019) Dumlupınar University: Assistant Professor (2001-2011), Research Assistant (2000-2001, 1993-1998) Istanbul Technical University: Research Assistant (1991-1993) Prof. ÖZMEN's research spans computer vision applications for traffic monitoring, indoor air quality systems, parallel computing, and sensor technologies. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical engineering applications, particularly in developing vision-based systems for nighttime vehicle detection, traffic flow monitoring, and environmental sensing. His interdisciplinary approach combines machine learning, image processing, and embedded systems to solve real-world problems in transportation and environmental monitoring. His publication record shows a clear evolution from parallel and distributed systems in his early career to computer vision and sensor applications in recent years. The majority of his recent work focuses on traffic monitoring systems using computer vision techniques, particularly for nighttime conditions, and indoor air quality monitoring systems using sensor networks. His research demonstrates strong industry and societal relevance, with applications in smart transportation, environmental protection, and educational technology. TÜBİTAK Publication Awards (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010) Physical implementation award from TÜBİDER (2008) Microsoft Certified Professional Certificate (2005) YÖK overseas study scholarships (1993, 1998) Elginkan graduate scholarships (1990, 1991) Prof. ÖZMEN has supervised numerous graduate students across multiple institutions, with a focus on practical engineering problems. His research has been supported by various projects including TÜBİTAK projects, institutional research grants, and industry collaborations. He has led significant research initiatives in traffic monitoring systems, indoor air quality monitoring, and educational technology platforms. His administrative leadership has included directing research centers and shaping curriculum development in software engineering. His work has involved establishing research teams focused on computer vision applications, sensor network development, and educational technology. These teams have produced numerous publications, developed practical systems, and trained the next generation of computer engineers. Current research directions include advanced traffic monitoring systems using deep learning and multi-camera setups for urban planning applications.