2025 TÜBA - TEKNOFEST Doctoral Science Awards Announced
Within the scope of the TÜBA-TEKNOFEST Doctoral Science Awards, doctoral theses produced in Türkiye with original thematic topics were evaluated by the Award Evaluation Committee, and it was announced that a total of 14 scientists were awarded in 2025. The awards in the fields of Science and Engineering, Health and Life Sciences, Social and Humanities, and Basic Sciences will be presented to their recipients at TEKNOFEST, to be held in Istanbul between September 17 and 21.
TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker said, "We are presenting the TÜBA-TEKNOFEST Doctoral Science Awards, which we are organizing for the fifth time this year, to encourage, support, and honor the original, innovative, and future-oriented work of our country's young scientists. Through this award, our academy aims to raise the quality of knowledge produced in Türkiye to an international level and, at the same time, to encourage and motivate our young researchers in their scientific journey. I would like to emphasize that we have achieved our goals in this regard, thanks to the increasing interest we have seen every year since 2021."
President Şeker emphasized that the work of the award-winning young scientists not only strengthens Turkey's scientific capacity but also forms an important part of the National Technology Initiative. He stated that the determination, effort, and productivity demonstrated serve as a source of inspiration for future generations and as role models for future scientists. President Şeker also said, “I congratulate them for the great value they have added to our present and future, and I wish them many more successes in their scientific journeys.”
TÜBA-TEKNOFEST Doctoral Science Award was presented to the following fields: Technology and Design, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Autonomous Systems, Robotics and Mechatronic Systems, Modeling and Simulation Technologies, Energy, Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies, Technologies for Air, Space, and Unmanned Underwater Systems, Information and Communication Technologies, Cyber Security and Cryptology, Education, Health, Agriculture and Ecology Technologies, and Biotechnology, as well as doctoral theses covering the topics of International Relations, Development Policies, Educational Approaches, and Security Policies within the scope of the National Technology Initiative. The Academy Council has set the award amounts for 2025 as follows: 100,000 Turkish Lira for the first-place thesis author, 80,000 Turkish Lira for the second-place author, and 65,000 Turkish Lira for the third-place author.
Basic and Engineering Sciences
Dr. Salah Eddine Zegrar
Was granted the First Place Award in the field of Basic and Engineering Sciences for his internationally outstanding research titled "Waveform Design for 5G and Beyond Wireless Communication Networks".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Istanbul Medipol University
Department: Electrical-Electronics Engineering and Cyber Systems
Dr. İbrahim Yıldırım
Was granted the Second Place Award in the field of Basic and Engineering Sciences for his internationally outstanding research titled "Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface-Centric Communication Networks: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Channel Modeling and Coverage Extension".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Koç University
Department: Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Dr. Armed Tusha
Was granted the Second Place Award in the field of Basic and Engineering Sciences for his internationally outstanding research titled "Algorithms for Interference Immunity and Efficient Radio Resource Utilization In Wireless Communications Systems".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Istanbul Medipol University
Department: Electrical-Electronics Engineering and Cyber Systems
Dr. Erman Çokduygulular
Was granted the Third Place Award in the field of Basic and Engineering Sciences for his internationally outstanding research titled "Development of Polymer-Based Solar Cell Structures with High Optical Performance".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Istanbul University – Cerrahpaşa
Department: Engineering Sciences
Health and Life Sciences
Dr. Melis Erçelik
Was granted the First Place Award in the field of Health and Life Sciences for her internationally outstanding research titled "Design and Usability Analysis of Layered Nanofiber Surfaces Loaded with Combined Drugs in Glioblastoma Treatment".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Bursa Uludağ University
Department: Medical Biology
Dr. Gizem Gülfidan Yıldız
Was granted the Second Place Award in the field of Health and Life Sciences for her internationally outstanding research titled "Multi-Omics Data Integration in the Prediction of Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutics in Human Cancers".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Marmara University
Department: Bioengineering
Dr. Nurbanu Demirtürk
Was granted the Third Place Award in the field of Health and Life Sciences for her internationally outstanding research titled "Development of Actively Targeted, Multi-Drug Loaded Nanoparticles to Overcome Drug Resistance in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment and Evaluation of in Vitro-In Vivo Efficacy and Safety".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Hacettepe University
Department: Pharmaceutical Technology
Social Sciences and Humanities
Dr. Habibe Güneş
Was granted the First Place Award in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities for her internationally outstanding research titled "A Case Study Using Mixed Methods on the Effects of Science Activities Based on Visual and Physical Programming on Pre-Service Teachers".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Atatürk University
Department: Computer Education and Instructional Technology
Dr. Samet Çelik
Was granted the Second Place Award in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities for his internationally outstanding research titled "Investigation of Electrophysiological Changes Due to Long-Term Underground Work Using the Event-Related Oscillations Method".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Istanbul Medipol University
Department: Neuroscience
Dr. Benzegül Durak
Was granted the Third Place Award in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities for her internationally outstanding research titled "Exploring Middle School Science Teachers' Professional Development on Socioscientific Issue and Model-Based Learning: A Multiple-Case Study".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Yıldız Technical University
Department: Mathematics and Science Education
Natural Sciences
Dr. Selen Ayaz
Was granted the First Place Award in the field of Natural Sciences for her internationally outstanding research titled "Development and Biotechnological Applications of Optical and Electrochemical Sensors/Biosensors Based on Bis-Neocuproine Copper (II) Complex".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
Department: Chemistry
Dr. Ömer Kaan Koç
Was granted the Second Place Award in the field of Natural Sciences for his internationally outstanding research titled "Molecular Spectroscopic Determination of Nitroaromatic and Peroxide-Type Energetic Materials Using Carbon Dots".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa
Department: Chemistry
Dr. Sercan Önder
Was granted the Third Place Award in the field of Natural Sciences for his internationally outstanding research titled "Determination of Primary Metabolites, Cell Wall Components and Enzyme Activities During Flower Development in Rosa Damascena Mill."
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Isparta University of Applied Sciences
Department: Agricultural Biotechnology
Dr. Hamza Alaşalvar
Was granted the Third Place Award in the field of Natural Sciences for his internationally outstanding research titled "Use of Deep Eutectic Solvents in the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Lavender and in the Production of Biodegradable Films".
University Where the Thesis Was Conducted: Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University
Department: Food Engineering