A Visionary Approach to Global Impact
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In a candid interview, Professor Metin Sitti, the President of Koç University, provides an exclusive look into his vision for the institution and his current research endeavors involving tiny medical robots. Additionally, he shares intriguing details about the pivotal moments that led him to become a researcher, and delves into other captivating aspects of his journey.
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Writing a New History with Questions No One Dares to Ask
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Prof. Ayşe Zarakol is awarded the 2023 Koç University Rahmi M. Koç Medal of Science for her groundbreaking contributions to historical sociology and international relations, particularly in East-West relations, world order(s), modernity, sovereignty, rising and declining powers, and Turkish politics in a comparative context. In an exclusive interview with KURIOUS, a Koç University platform, Prof. Ayşe Zarakol discussed her ongoing work and shared her plans for the future.
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PROF. ÖZGÜR ESAT MÜSTECAPLIOĞLU from the College of Sciences, PROF. NAZLI BAYDAR from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and PROF. DEVRİM GÖZÜAÇIK from the School of Medicine have been honored with the prestigious 2023 TÜBİTAK Science Award. Meanwhile, ASSOC. PROF. SAVAŞ TAŞOĞLU from the College of Engineering, and ASST. PROF. SERKAN KIR from the College of Sciences were awarded the 2023 TÜBİTAK Incentive Award. Among eligible education institutions in Türkiye, Koç University holds the highest number of TÜBİTAK Awards since 2000.
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Three of Koç University’s faculty members were honored with TÜBA Awards. PROF. CANER SÜSAL from the School of Medicine received the 2023 TÜBA International Academy Award and ASSOC. PROF. ATAY VURAL from the School of Medicine and ASST. PROF. SEVCAN YEŞİLTAŞ from the College of Administrative Sciences and Economics were awarded the 2023 TÜBA Young Scientist Award (GEBIP). Koç University ranks first in with 79 faculty members recognized in the program since its inception in 2001.
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PROF. SEDA KESKİN AVCI from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering was awarded a EUR 2 million ERC Consolidator Grant for her project “STARLET – Atomistic Modeling of Advanced Porous Materials for Energy, Environmental, and Biomedical Applications.” She was the first woman researcher from Türkiye to receive the ERC Starting Grant in the field of engineering with her project “COSMOS: Computational Simulations of MOFs for Gas Separations” in 2017. Prof. Keskin Avcı also received the Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research Excellence in Review Award 2023.
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ASST. PROF. LEVENT BEKER from the Department of Mechanical Engineering was awarded the TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Incentive Award, which is presented to outstanding scientists in the field of health sciences and technology in Türkiye, for his research on medical device design and development. Dr. Beker was awarded an ERC Starting Grant in 2022 for his 2nd-Chance project, a device to predict the risk of heart disease.
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PROF. HALİL KAVAKLI from the Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Molecular Biology and Genetics received the 2023 Sedat Simavi Science Award, which is given annually in the fields of journalism, literature, sports, and science, with his article “Small Molecule that Extends the Life Span of Mice with Deleted p53 Gene by Accelerating the Half-Life of Cryptochrome 1,” published with Prof. Alper Okyar and Assoc. Prof. Şeref Gül from Istanbul University.
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PROF. ŞUHNAZ YILMAZ ÖZBAĞCI, Dean of the College of Administrative Sciences and Economics, has been appointed as a new member of the EQUIS (the European Quality Improvement System) Accreditation Board, effective from 2023 to 2026.
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Koç University faculty members won Dr. Nejat Eczacıbaşı Medical Awards. ASSOC. PROF. SAVAŞ TAŞOĞLU, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and ASSOC. PROF. ATAY VURAL, from the School of Medicine, received the Medical Incentive Award, while PROF. TUĞBA BAĞCI ÖNDER and ASST. PROF. GÖZDE KORKMAZ, both from the School of Medicine, received the Scientific Research Support Award.
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PROF. SEDA KIZILEL, from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and her team, ESRA YALÇIN KAYA, KIYUMARS JALILI, and IŞILAY GÖKTAN, received the Best Start-up Award in the health and life sciences category at TEKNOFEST 2023. Their groundbreaking work on cell plates is set to revolutionize tissue repair using live cells.
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ASST. PROF. BARIŞ YILDIZ, from the Department of Industrial Engineering, received both the Chuck ReVelle Rising Star Award, for significant contributions to location analysis research, and the Transportation Science Meritorious Service Award, for exceptional editorial and reviewing efforts with the journal Transportation Science
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UNIC Secures Erasmus+ Funding with Koç University in the Key Role
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The European University for Cities in Post-Industrial Transition (UNIC) secured continued funding in the 2023 Erasmus+ European Universities Call. This funding will facilitate the implementation of its ambitious new plan over the next four years. UNIC’s new phase, backed by EUR 14.4 million, commenced in October 2023, marking an expansion of the alliance to ten universities. The initiatives led by UNIC are set to benefit nearly 20 million citizens, students, staff, and researchers in post-industrial cities across Europe. Koç University has played a pivotal role in the UNIC alliance and UNIC for Research (UNIC4ER) since its inception. The Koç University community remains committed to actively participating in UNIC activities, contributing to co-design, and collaborating on research and educational innovations.
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KARMA Lab & Meta Launch XR Academy
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The Koç University KARMA Mixed Reality Lab has launched the XR Academy program in collaboration with Meta and BTK Academy. The XR Academy aims to equip high school and university students with skills and keen interest in the Extended Reality (XR) field, preparing them for the opportunities in the next generation workforce. Throughout 2024, the program will provide training, host seminars, and organize events on various XR-related topics. KARMA Lab will support the program by establishing the curriculum, instructing the trainers, and organizing workshops and events.
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Science Fair 2023: A Fusion of Exploration, Entertainment, and Ingenuity
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On October 18, 2023, science enthusiasts gathered at the Koç University Science Fair to explore university laboratories, witness a spectacular show featuring entertaining chemistry experiments, solve cyphers, and participate in a treasure hunt. Attendees also enjoyed science fiction-themed soundtracks performed by the KU Orchestra, visited an exhibition showcasing photo frames capturing research outputs, attended intriguing seminars with presentations by academics and students from various faculties, and witnessed the ingenuity of student clubs.
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VEKAM’s Exhibition: Commemorating the Gallipoli Victory
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On the centenary of the Republic of Türkiye, Koç University’s Vehbi Koç Ankara Studies Research Center (VEKAM) presents an exhibition titled “The Ottoman Empire from the 19th to the 20th Century: Struggle,” now open for visitors at the Semahat-Dr. Nusret Arsel Science & Technology Building on the Rumelifeneri Campus. The exhibition, originally organized in 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Turkish victory at Gallipoli, provides a captivating glimpse into the historical era.
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FROM OUR DOCS AND POSTDOCS
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UĞURGÜL TUNÇ, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Archaeology and History of Art, was honored with the Vicky Bach Memorial Prize at the 2023 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Canada. She received the award for her research paper titled “From Montreal to Istanbul: Nurses’ Residential Architecture across Diverse Geographies.” Additionally, Uğurgül Tunç has been recognized by the Rockefeller Archive Center and the American Research Institute in Türkiye for her significant research contributions.
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A research team, including AYŞE ÇETİNEL, a Ph.D. candidate in Operations and Information Systems, PROF. GÜRHAN KÖK from the College of Administrative Sciences and Economics, and Assoc. Prof. R.P. Roorderkerk from the Rotterdam School of Management has been awarded a grant from the Marketing Science Institute (MSI) Research Competition. The grant highlights their impactful work in the realm of omnichannel retail.
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AMIRREZA PASHAPOUR, a Ph.D. candidate in Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, clinched the first position in the 2023 CRSSCA - Supply Chain & Logistics Management Best Student Research Competition hosted by Dalhousie University, Canada. His winning research, done in collaboration with professors, focuses on efficient relief aid distribution methods.
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HÜLYA TORUN, a medical professional studying at Stanford University, has been selected by the Society for NeuroOncology International Outreach Committee. She stands out among 12 global professionals due to her exceptional contributions to brain tumor diagnostics under the mentorship of PROF. İHSAN SOLAROĞLU from the School of Medicine.
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GÖKHAN ÖNDER AKSU, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, received the Best Presentation Accolade at the 7th MEM-TEK International Membrane Technologies and Applications Symposium. His work was recognized for its significance and innovation in the field.
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BEGÜM DURKUT, a Ph.D. candidate in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, was honored with the first prize at the International 11th TSRM Congress. Her award-winning presentation at the event focused on vital aspects of reproductive health and infertility.
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IT’S FREE TO TALK HERE PODCAST SERIES: THE ARA GÜLER ARCHIVE AND RESEARCH CENTER
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The ANAMED Library Podcast Series “It’s Free to Talk Here” hosted Başar Soysal, a restoration and conservation specialist from the Ara Güler Archive and Research Center (AGAVAM). In this episode, Başar Soysal tells the story of the establishment of AGAVAM and the Ara Güler Museum, and talks about the archive system created by the great photographer himself, the center’s digitalization projects, and many other interesting topics.
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Top Ten Most-Read Research News in 2023
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Here are the most widely read news articles of 2023 featured on ku.edu.tr.
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Here is How We Spent 2023!
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Last year was the 30th year since the establishment of Koç University, so it was a very special year full of celebration, hard work and achievements. Additionally, it marked the 100th year of our Republic, adding another layer of significance to the commemorations and festivities.
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Solidarity for Resistance
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium known for causing severe infections like ventilator-associated pneumonia and being linked to cystic fibrosis, forms protective 3-D matrices within biofilms, hindering antibiotic effectiveness. The image was captured to study Pseudomonas aeruginosa’s biofilm-forming ability on a PVC-based surface at 10,000x magnification.
Dr. Nazlı Ataç, Dr. Barış Yağcı, Prof. Füsun Can - KUISCID, KUYTAM
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