Mustafa Taha Koçyiğit is a Full-time Assistant Professor at Bogazici University. His research focuses on Deep Learning, Self-supervised learning, Efficient training of deep learning methods, Computer vision, Efficient training of large language models, and Language grounded vision models. His recent work addresses computational efficiency in training methods and novel applications of deep learning across domains like aerospace defect detection and computer vision. His publications span advancements in self-supervised learning strategies (2023), efficient training for computer vision tasks (2023), and theoretical contributions like unsupervised batch normalization (2020). The 2025 work demonstrates cross-disciplinary impact in aerospace engineering through AI-driven defect detection via X-ray tomography. Notable Contributions: Bridging efficiency and accuracy in deep learning pipelines Technical Strengths: Neural architecture design, optimization strategies, and domain-specific model adaptation
Meltem ŞENOL BALABAN is an Associate Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. She holds a dual PhD in City and Regional Planning (METU, 2009) and Urban Engineering (University of Tokyo, 2012). Her academic career includes roles as Director of METU Disaster Management Implementation and Research Center (since 2018), Minor Program Coordinator, and Board Member of the Applied Ethic Research Center. She specializes in disaster risk management, urban resilience planning, GIS-based modeling for evacuation/shelter optimization, and climate change adaptation in urban contexts. Her research focuses on flood risk mitigation in riverine cities, institutional frameworks for cultural heritage protection (e.g., UNESCO sites), and earthquake resilience strategies. Notable projects include developing Turkey's provincial risk reduction guidelines, a climate change risk assessment framework (CRAFT) for cultural heritage, and international cooperation initiatives like the UK-funded CRAFT and NET projects. She has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and supervised 10+ theses. Key contributions include GIS-based evacuation models for Istanbul, comparative studies of UK/Japan/Turkey disaster policies, and post-disaster resilience assessments. Awards include JICA Scholarship (2009-2012), ProVention Research Grant (2007-2008), and multiple international recognitions for her work on urban risk reduction. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on GIS in planning, disaster management principles, and urban resilience strategies.
Prof. Dr. Tunç ÇATAL is a Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Üsküdar Üniversitesi. He holds a PhD from İstanbul Technical University (2008) and conducted postdoctoral research at Oregon State University and the National University of Ireland Galway. His expertise spans microbial biotechnology, molecular biology, and hydrogen production. Education: BSc in Biology, İstanbul University (2001) MSc in Biology, İstanbul University (2004) PhD in Molecular Biology-Genetics and Biotechnology, İstanbul Technical University (2008) Administrative Roles: Head of Molecular Biology and Genetics Department (English Program) Director of PROMER Research Center Bologna Coordinator and Erasmus Coordinator His research focuses on microbial electrochemical systems, bioremediation, and bioenergy. Notable contributions include optimizing hydrogen production using microbial electrolysis cells and studying the effects of pharmaceuticals on microbial fuel cell efficiency. He has supervised 3 graduate theses and holds TÜBİTAK awards for impactful publications. His work integrates environmental science and molecular biology, with applications in sustainable energy (e.g., hydrogen production) and wastewater treatment. Recent studies explore novel curcumin compounds for toxicity mitigation and marine mucilage-based bioelectrochemical systems.
Fatih Ecevit is Full Professor of Mathematics at Boğaziçi University, serving as Vice Chair of the Mathematics Department. Former research associate at Max-Planck-Institut für Mathematik in den Naturwissenschaften, Leipzig (2005-2007). Research develops computational methods for high-frequency scattering problems, including: Boundary element methods for wave propagation Asymptotic analysis of scattering phenomena Galerkin formulations for integral equations Lattice sum evaluations in graph theory Principal investigator for TÜBİTAK-funded project: 'Hybrid integral equation methods for high-frequency scattering problems' (2017-2020). Teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in numerical analysis, partial differential equations, and real analysis.
Veysel Murat İstemihan Genç is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), College of Engineering. His research is centered on modern power systems, with a focus on transient stability, cybersecurity, and integration of renewable energy sources. He actively leads multiple research projects and supervises graduate students in advanced power system technologies. Research Interests: His work spans key areas including transient stability assessment, machine learning applications in power systems, cyber-attack detection in AGC systems, and dynamic security evaluation under high renewable penetration. He employs cutting-edge techniques such as ensemble learning, deep neural networks, and hybrid optimization algorithms. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2023–2025) highlight a strong trend toward integrating AI and machine learning for real-time transient stability prediction, cybersecurity in distributed energy systems, and performance optimization of solar and wind-integrated grids. His work frequently addresses challenges in low-inertia systems and false data injection attacks. Scientific Projects: Strengthened Machine Learning-Based Dynamic Security Evaluation for Transient Stability under False Data Injection Attacks (BAP, 2025) Analysis and Control Methods for Stability of Large-Scale Low-Inertia Power Systems (BAP, 2023–2024) Dynamics Security Evaluation of Renewable-Rich and Cyber-Attacked Power Systems (BAP, 2022–2024) Risk-Based Stability Assessment and Corrective Control Methods in Power Systems (BAP, 2019–2022) Wide-Area Monitoring Protection and Control System Design Using Advanced Signal Processing and Machine Learning (TÜBİTAK, 2018–2020) Advising and Grants: He is the principal investigator (PI) on multiple funded research projects from BAP and TÜBİTAK, indicating strong grant acquisition and leadership. His supervision of 27 ongoing theses reflects an active role in mentoring graduate students in electrical engineering and power systems. Labs and Teams: While specific lab names are not mentioned, his projects suggest leadership in a research group focused on smart grid technologies, AI-enabled power system security, and renewable integration at Istanbul Technical University.
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. Seyhan ÖZTÜRK is an Associate Professor at Kafkas University's Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Accounting. She has held full-time academic positions since 2010, progressing from Research Assistant to Associate Professor (2019–present). She also serves as the Head of the Accounting Department. Education: PhD in Accounting and Finance, Atatürk University (2011–2015) Master's in Business Administration, Istanbul University (2005–2011) Bachelor's in Business Administration, Istanbul University (2005–2009) Research Interests: Her work centers on Accounting Ethics, Forensic Accounting, and Internal Control, with applications in sustainability, corporate governance, and digital transformation. She explores ethical dilemmas in accounting, fraud detection methodologies, and the impact of regulatory frameworks on financial transparency. Publications: Her recent articles (2020–2025) emphasize sustainability accounting, financial performance analysis, and technology's role in accounting education. Themes include ESG metrics, bibliometric studies on climate accounting, and ethical challenges in SME financial reporting. Advising & Grants: She has supervised 16+ graduate students (PhD/Master’s) in topics like accounting ethics and financial modeling. She led a research project (2019–2021) testing bankruptcy prediction models on the Borsa Istanbul exchange.
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.
Dr. Aykut Koç is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a faculty member of the National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM) at Bilkent University, Turkey. He leads the AykutKoc Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of machine learning, signal processing, natural language processing, and graph signal processing. Education: B.S. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (2005, Bilkent University); M.S. in Electrical Engineering (2007), M.S. in Management Science and Engineering (2009), and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (2011) under Professor Lambertus Hesselink at Stanford University; LL.B. in Law (Ankara University). His research integrates mathematical signal processing techniques (e.g., fractional Fourier and linear canonical transforms) with modern machine learning architectures like transformers and graph neural networks. Recent work explores semantic communication systems, bias mitigation in legal language models, and cross-modal applications in biomedical imaging and radar technology. Dr. Koç has published extensively in IEEE and Springer journals, with recent articles analyzing Fourier-enhanced transformers, graph-based NLP methods, and time-vertex signal analysis. His work addresses both theoretical innovations and practical applications, including schizophrenia diagnosis, legal outcome prediction, and maritime surveillance. Scientific Awards: Science Academy Young Scientists Award (BAGEP), 2023. He has supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate researchers, many of whom have transitioned to top-tier institutions such as MIT, UCLA, and TU Darmstadt. Dr. Koç actively serves as Associate Editor for multiple IEEE journals and participates in conference program committees, including EMNLP's Natural Legal Language Processing (NLLP) workshop.
Caner Ünlü is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Istanbul Technical University with 39 publications and 10 active research projects through 2025. His work focuses on quantum dot synthesis, photophysical characterization, and applications in environmental sensing and renewable energy systems. Research interests center on carbon dots, chalcogenide quantum dots, and their interactions with biological systems. Key areas include tunable emission design, photosynthetic enhancement for algae biomass production, eco-friendly ATP sensing, and micropollutant removal. His methodology integrates experimental synthesis with computational modeling and machine learning for nanomaterial optimization. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong thematic coherence in quantum dot engineering for specific functionalities: dopant-driven metal ion sensing, defect state manipulation in chalcogenides, and spectral modulation of photosynthetic complexes. This work bridges nanomaterials science with biotechnology and environmental engineering. Scientific awards: None mentioned in source material. Ünlü has supervised 14 research students and secured multiple grants including TÜBİTAK funding for quantum dot applications in solar cells and environmental remediation. Current projects involve quantum dot integration with metal-organic frameworks and development of fuel-marking nanomaterials. While specific lab names are unreported, his collaborative projects indicate active participation in interdisciplinary teams advancing quantum dot technology for energy and environmental solutions.
Başar Öztayşi is a Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering , Istanbul Technical University , with expertise in fuzzy logic, multi-criteria decision making, and decision science. He has held administrative roles including Associate Professor (2017–present), Deputy Director of the Institute (2016–2017), and Assistant Professor (2013–2017). Fields of Study : Fuzzy Logic, Multi-criteria Decision Making, Decision Science Contact : oztaysib@itu.edu.tr , +90 212 293 1300 Research Interests focus on applying fuzzy set theory to complex decision problems, including financial management, risk assessment, and smart city energy systems. His work extends to industry 4.0 applications and process mining in e-commerce. Recent Publications (2024) analyze fuzzy approaches in financial management, risk assessment, and Industry 4.0, with subfields spanning bibliometric trends, allocation optimization, and sustainable energy planning. Earlier works explore AHP matrix consistency, file distribution models, and customer segmentation. Awards : Best Paper Award, FLINS 2018 Science - Art Awards
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.
Professor Hakan Ali Çırpan is a distinguished faculty member at Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, where he serves as Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering. He also holds the position of Vice Dean at Istanbul Technical University since 2021. With over three decades of academic experience, Professor Çırpan has established himself as a leading researcher in signal processing and communications. His educational background includes: PhD from Stevens Institute of Technology (1993-1997) Master's degree in Electrical-Electronic Engineering (with thesis) from Istanbul University (1989-1992) Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Uludağ University (1985-1989) Professor Çırpan's research spans multiple domains within signal processing and communications. His primary interests include wireless communications, radar systems, machine learning applications in communications, and electronic warfare. His work on channel estimation, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and maximum likelihood methods has been particularly influential. He has pioneered research in areas such as source localization, spectrum sensing, and physical layer security. His recent work focuses on 5G/6G networks, AI-enhanced communications, and integrated sensing and communication systems. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on next-generation wireless technologies, particularly 5G/6G networks, AI integration in communications, and electronic warfare applications. His research demonstrates a consistent pattern of addressing fundamental challenges in signal processing while adapting to emerging technological needs. A significant portion of his recent work involves machine learning applications for spectrum management, optimization techniques for radar systems, and novel approaches to network slicing and resource allocation. His notable scientific achievements include: ASELSAN ACADEMY THESIS COMPETITION WINNER (2020) Professor Çırpan has supervised 59 theses throughout his career, mentoring numerous graduate students in the fields of signal processing and communications. He has secured significant research funding, including the "AI-Enhanced 5G/6G Networks with Integrated Camera and ISAC Systems" project (2023-2024) and the "Railway Vehicle Infrastructure New Generation Secure Communication Systems" TÜBİTAK project with a budget of ₺955,000. His research has practical applications in defense systems, railway communications, and next-generation wireless networks. His laboratory work focuses on wireless communications systems, radar signal processing, and AI-enhanced communication technologies. Professor Çırpan leads research teams working on projects related to 5G/6G networks, electronic warfare countermeasures, and secure communication systems. His group collaborates with industry partners like ASELSAN and conducts research with practical applications in national defense and critical infrastructure.
