Assist. Prof. Dr. Sinan DEMİR | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sinan DEMİR | Biological Sciences – Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Turkey

Dr. Sinan Demir is an Assistant Professor at the Isparta University of Applied Sciences, where he specializes in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. His academic journey is marked by significant achievements in agricultural technology and remote sensing, focusing on the development of innovative methodologies for monitoring agricultural productivity and land use. Dr. Demir has contributed extensively to the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and machine learning algorithms to enhance the efficiency of agricultural practices. With a comprehensive background in soil science, plant nutrition, and agricultural engineering, his work continues to impact both the academic community and practical applications in agriculture.

Profile:

Orcid | Scopus | Google Scholar

Education:

Dr. Demir’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and a Master’s degree in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition from Suleyman Demirel University. His PhD, completed in 2021 at Isparta University of Applied Sciences, was centered around “The Monitoring of Isparta Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) Gardens using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the Development of Yield Prediction Models.” This thesis was guided by Prof. Dr. Levent Başayığit. His formal education has equipped him with a strong foundation in soil science, plant protection, and remote sensing technologies, which he applies in his research and teaching.

Experience:

Dr. Demir has a rich research and teaching portfolio. In his role as Assistant Professor, he has undertaken leadership roles in multiple national and international projects related to agriculture, land use, and environmental monitoring. These include significant contributions to the development of yield prediction models for oil rose farming using UAV images and the application of machine learning algorithms for soil data analysis. He has also been a key researcher in several TUBITAK and EU-funded projects aimed at improving sustainable farming practices and climate change resilience. His teaching contributions span undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with a focus on remote sensing, digital agriculture, and UAV-based crop monitoring.

Research Interests:

Dr. Demir’s research interests lie at the intersection of agricultural technology and environmental science. He focuses on the integration of remote sensing technologies, particularly UAVs, in precision agriculture. His research aims to improve the efficiency of crop monitoring, yield prediction, and land use management. Additionally, he explores the use of hyperspectral data and machine learning techniques to address challenges in soil quality, vegetation health, and climate impact assessments. He is particularly interested in the application of these technologies in regions with semi-arid climates and the development of models to optimize agricultural practices.

Awards:

Dr. Demir’s work has been recognized both in academia and in practical applications. He was awarded several research grants, including support for projects investigating the impact of UAV technology on organic farming practices and the application of machine learning in soil science. His contributions to agricultural research were acknowledged in multiple national and international conferences, where he has presented groundbreaking work on topics such as digital mapping of soil erosion and evaluating land use changes with satellite imagery.

Publications:

Dr. Demir has authored several influential publications in peer-reviewed journals. Notable among them are:

“Determination of suitable agricultural areas and current land use in Isparta Province, Türkiye, through a linear combination technique and geographic information systems” (2024) – Environment, Development and Sustainability 🌱
“Assessment of pre- and post-fire erosion using the RUSLE equation in a watershed affected by the forest fire on Google Earth Engine: the study of Manavgat River Basin” (2024) – Natural Hazards 🔥
“Yield prediction models of organic oil rose farming with agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) images and machine learning algorithms” (2024) – Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 🚁
“Digital Mapping Burn Severity in Agricultural and Forestry Land over a Half-Decade Using Sentinel Satellite Images on the Google Earth Engine Platform” (2024) – Trees, Forests and People 🌳
“Determining burned areas using different threshold values of NDVI with Sentinel-2 satellite images on GEE platform: A case study of Muğla Province” (2023) – International Journal of Sustainable Engineering and Technology 🌍

Conclusion:

Dr. Sinan Demir’s academic and professional trajectory is marked by a dedication to advancing agricultural sciences through the use of cutting-edge technologies such as UAVs and machine learning. His research continues to drive improvements in the management of agricultural systems, particularly in sustainable farming practices and land use optimization. As an educator and researcher, Dr. Demir is committed to sharing his knowledge and contributing to the global discourse on the intersection of technology and agriculture. His work not only enriches academic literature but also offers practical solutions to real-world challenges in the agricultural sector.

Prof Dr . Ferruh Özcan | Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Faculty , Gebze Technical University , Turkey .

Professor Ferruh Özcan is a distinguished academic in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Gebze Technical University. With a comprehensive background in biochemistry, he has contributed significantly to understanding cellular signaling and stress responses. His innovative research focuses on the role of SIK2 in cellular processes, particularly in relation to obesity and metabolic disorders. Professor Özcan has supervised numerous graduate theses, nurturing future scientists in the field. His dedication to both education and research is evident through his leadership roles and active participation in scientific projects.

Education

Professor Özcan received his Bachelor’s degree in Science from Hacettepe University in 1991. He pursued a Master’s degree at San Diego State University, completing his thesis on DNA methylation in 1997. In 2003, he earned his Doctoral degree from Boğaziçi University, studying serine/threonine kinases and FGF signaling pathways. He further expanded his expertise with a Postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University’s Department of Pharmacology, where he explored growth factor signaling. This rigorous academic foundation underpins his extensive research career in molecular biology.

Experience

Professor Özcan has held various academic positions, culminating in his current role as a professor at Gebze Technical University. He has supervised numerous Master’s and Doctoral theses, guiding students in groundbreaking research. His tenure includes leadership as Head of the Molecular Biology and Genetics Department from 2020 to 2023. Additionally, he has been involved in several national and international research projects, collaborating with various institutions. His work includes developing optical biosensors and studying the molecular underpinnings of cellular stress responses, contributing to advancements in biomedical science.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Professor Özcan has received notable awards, including the NATO-B1 in 2004, recognizing his contributions to science. He was also awarded a scholarship by the Higher Education Council in Turkey in 1993, which facilitated his academic pursuits. These accolades reflect his commitment to excellence in research and education, solidifying his reputation as a leading scientist in molecular biology and genetics.

Research Focus

Professor Özcan’s research primarily centers on the role of SIK2 in cellular signaling, particularly concerning obesity and metabolic disorders. He investigates the mechanisms of endoplasmic reticulum stress and its implications for adipocyte differentiation and function. His work contributes to understanding how cellular pathways interact under stress conditions, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases. Through his research, he aims to elucidate the molecular dynamics of growth factor signaling and its relevance to human health.

Publications

SIK2: A Novel Negative Feedback Regulator of FGF2 Signaling. Advanced Biology, 2024.

SIK2 Controls the Homeostatic Character of the POMC Secretome Acutely in Response to Pharmacological ER Stress Induction. Cells, 2024.

Effects of Fungal Based Bioactive Compounds on Human Health: Review Paper. Informa UK Limited, 2023.

Monosodium Glutamate Restricts the Adipogenic Potential of 3T3‐L1 Preadipocytes through Mitotic Clonal Expansion. Cell Biology International, 2020.

Pluronic PF68 Increases Transfection Efficiency in Electroporation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Turkish Journal of Biology, 2016.

SIK2 is Involved in the Negative Modulation of Insulin Dependent Muller Cell Survival. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci., 2013.

Attenuation of Signaling Pathways Stimulated by Pathologically Activated FGF Receptor 2 Mutants Prevents Craniosynostosis. PNAS, 2006.

On the Nature of Low and High Affinity EGF Receptors on Living Cells. PNAS, 2006.

Expression and Possible Function of Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 in Postnatal and Adult Retina. J Neurosci Res, 2005.

Role of DNA Methylation at GATC Sites in the dnaA Promoter. J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol, 2000.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Professor Ferruh Özcan’s extensive background, notable research contributions, and leadership in the field make him an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award. While there are areas for potential growth, his strengths far outweigh these considerations. His dedication to research and mentorship highlights his significant role in advancing molecular biology and genetics.