Haberler

Arşiv

Two ITU Students Take Their Place Among the World’s Leading Young Scientists at the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Senem Dila Yılmaz from the Department of Chemistry and Elif Önel from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics represented Istanbul Technical University at the historic anniversary meeting in Germany.

New Book Connects Ancient Philosophy and Neoclassical Art

Associate Professor Geoff Bowe’s new book, “Ancient Philosophy and Neoclassical Art” published by Sentez Yayinevi, examines Neoclassical art as a visual theory of authority grounded in ancient philosophy. Rather than treating philosophy as a historical background or a set of illustrative references, the chapters that follow approach philosophical concepts—especially those derived from Plato and his reception—as the internal logic by which Neoclassical images organize meaning, value, and power. The book provides brief accounts of major Neoclassical paintings, the artists who created them, and the some of the major ancient texts that inspired the images they produced.

Rethinking Sustainability Through the Material Agency of Clothing

Research Assistant Ecehan Aygül Gönül’s article, “When Clothes Speak: Material Agency of Fashion Objects and Disruption of Human-Centered Sustainability,” published in the Q1 journal Fashion Theory, reconsiders sustainability by treating garments as active participants in fashion consumption. Drawing on New Materialism, survey data, in-depth interviews, and a garment-alteration experiment, the study examines how material qualities, embodied memories, and affective attachments shape decisions to keep, alter, wear, or discard clothing. By moving beyond models centred solely on consumer responsibility, the article offers a relational approach to sustainability that foregrounds interactions among bodies, garments, memories, and material environments.

Bosnian Catholics and the Ottoman Millet System

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma Sel Turhan’s article, “The Bosnian Catholics during the Nineteenth Century in the Context of the Ottoman Millet System Discussions,” published in the Q1 Journal of Islamic Studies, examines how Bosnian Catholics were positioned within the Ottoman imperial order. Drawing on extensive archival sources, the study investigates whether they were recognized as a distinct millet, the legal significance of Mehmed II’s Ahdname, and the relationship between Catholic clergy and the Ottoman centre. It also explores negotiation, mediation, and cooperation, demonstrating that the millet system functioned as a flexible and negotiated framework rather than a rigid institutional structure.

Ottoman Authority and Christian Marriage in Bosnia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma Sel Turhan’s article, “Marital Issues of Bosnian Christians in the Nineteenth Century: Authorisations, Interventions and Prohibitions,” published in the Q1 journal The History of the Family, examines Ottoman state intervention in Christian marriages in nineteenth-century Bosnia. Drawing on extensive Ottoman archival sources, the study addresses interreligious and transnational marriages, forced marriage claims, annulments, clerical objections, marriage taxes, and wedding expenses. It argues that these interventions reflected concerns extending beyond religion to public order, imperial sovereignty, legal pluralism, and communal relations, highlighting marriage as a key arena where state authority, communal autonomy, and individual agency intersected.

Selected Publications from the Department of Sociology (July 2025 – July 2026)

Assoc. Prof. Serdar Awarded TÜBİTAK 2219 Fellowship

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Serdar from the Department of Sociology has been awarded the prestigious TÜBİTAK 2219 International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Through this program, Dr. Serdar will serve as a visiting researcher at the University of Crete in Greece for a period of 12 months. Her supported research project, titled “A Comparative Analysis of Social and Environmental Movements in Greece and Turkey,” aims to provide significant sociological insights into regional activist dynamics. This fellowship not only highlights the academic excellence of our faculty members but also strengthens international research collaborations between Turkey and Greece. Ana haber: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Serdar has been awarded the TÜBİTAK 2219 International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. This grant program is designed to support the advanced research initiatives of scholars by facilitating international academic exchange and collaboration. Earning this fellowship demonstrates a continued dedication to impactful sociological research and highlights the strong academic profile of the department.

Res. Asst. Çetinalp and Prof. Zorlu Reevaluates the Victorian Crusader Spirit at SCCLE Porto

Research Assistant Kutsi Aybars Çetinalp and Prof. Dr. Tuncay Zorlu recently presented their co-authored paper, “Rethinking the ‘Victorian Crusader’: Deconstructing the ‘Crusader Spirit’ in the PEF Survey,” at the SCCLE Porto event. Their research challenges the popular narrative that the 19th-century Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF) was driven by a medieval “Crusader spirit.” Instead, the study reveals that the PEF’s motivations were distinctly modern, stemming from Victorian scientific curiosity, Protestant Biblical literalism, and British imperial strategies in Ottoman Palestine. By meticulously re-examining historical memoirs and periodicals, their analysis offers a profound counter-narrative to traditional historical discourse. This participation highlights our faculty’s active engagement in global academic dialogues concerning the history of science and historical geography.

Res. Asst. Çetinalp Awarded TÜBİTAK Fellowship for Visiting Research at Royal Holloway, University of London

Research Assistant Kutsi Aybars Çetinalp has been awarded the TÜBİTAK International Research Fellowship Programme for PhD Students. Within the scope of this fellowship, Çetinalp will spend one year as a visiting researcher at the Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London. The research, focused on the PhD dissertation titled “Victorian Crusaders in the Holy Land: The Activities of the Palestine Exploration Fund in the Ottoman Palestine 1865-1914,” will be conducted under the host supervision of Prof. Dr. Felix Driver, FRGS, while being primarily supervised by Prof. Dr. Tuncay Zorlu.

Prof. Umut Uzer Attends Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow

Prof Umut Uzer actively participated in two significant international events organized by the prestigious Valdai Discussion Club in early 2026. On January 16, 2026, Uzer contributed to the session titled "Turkey in the Context of Transforming International Relations and the New Eurasian Geopolitics," offering valuable academic perspectives on Turkey's evolving regional strategies. Following this, on February 9-10, 2026, Uzer attended the "15th Middle East Conference" held in Moscow, Russia. These participations highlight our department's strong engagement in global diplomatic and academic dialogues. By representing our institution at the Valdai Discussion Club, Prof Uzer elevated the international visibility of our faculty and fostered essential academic exchanges concerning Middle Eastern and Eurasian geopolitics.

Assoc. Prof. Karataş’s New Book Explores Anatolian Roots of Ottoman Identity

The recently published book, Şehirler, Şeyhler, Şehzadeler (Küre Publications, 2026) by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Karataş, offers a groundbreaking perspective on Ottoman history by shifting the historical focus from Istanbul to Anatolian cities like Amasya and Konya. Rather than concentrating solely on sultans and capital-based factions, the book highlights the pivotal role of local contexts in shaping Bayezid II's political networks. By examining the urbanization, institutionalization, and "Ottomanization" of mystic movements such as the Halvetiyye, alongside their rivalry with the Zeyniyye, the study demonstrates how these Anatolian centers actively contributed to forming the “Ottoman identity.” Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, this comprehensive work presents the empire not just as a single expanding entity, but as a diverse meeting point of Eastern and Western influences.

Microscopy Workshop Held at MOBGAM with the Support of ZEISS

The Dr. Orhan Öcalgiray Center for Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, and Genetics Research (MOBGAM) at İstanbul Technical University organized a two-day Microscopy Workshop Program on May 8–9 2026 with the support of ZEISS. During the two-day program, participants received both theoretical and hands-on training in advanced microscopy techniques, the effective operation of microscopy systems, state-of-the-art imaging technologies, and contemporary microscopy applications in scientific research. The program provided attendees with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and gain practical experience in advanced imaging methods and the use of modern microscopy instruments. The training program was successfully completed as part of Istanbul Technical University's ongoing efforts to promote the effective use of its research infrastructure, strengthen researchers' technical competencies, and foster the broader adoption of advanced imaging technologies in scientific research.

Highlighted Research Projects from İTÜ's Molecular Biology and Genetics Department (July 2025–July 2026)

In the period spanning July 2025 to July 2026, İstanbul Technical University’s Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics continued to strengthen its research capacity through a diverse portfolio of nationally supported, interdisciplinary projects addressing key challenges in health, sustainability, and industrial biotechnology. Supported by major funding programs including TÜBİTAK, TÜSEB, and İTÜ Platform Projects, our department’s faculty members are leading innovative studies in areas such as integrated early diagnosis platforms, quantitative cancer screening technologies, programmable synthetic cell systems, bacterial extracellular vesicles, zeolite-based biofertilizer strategies, and the discovery of novel extremozymes from extreme environments. These projects bring together molecular biology, biotechnology, synthetic biology, diagnostic technologies, agricultural microbiology, metagenomics, and enzyme engineering, reflecting ourdepartment’s strong commitment to scientific excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and translational impact. Through these initiatives, İTÜ’s Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics continues to expand its role as a dynamic center for life sciences and biotechnology, transforming fundamental research into innovative solutions for medicine, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and next-generation biotechnological applications.

Highlighted Articles Published by İTÜ's Molecular Biology and Genetics Department (July 2025–July 2026)

The period spanning July 2025 to July 2026 has been another remarkably productive year for the Istanbul Technical University Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, showcasing the department’s continued excellence in multidisciplinary life science research. During this period, faculty members and researchers published a diverse portfolio of high-impact studies spanning molecular biotechnology, synthetic biology, microbial and environmental genomics, enzyme engineering, bioinformatics, systems biology, biomedical research, computational biology, and sustainable bioprocesses. These publications address globally significant challenges, including human health, environmental sustainability, industrial biotechnology, renewable bioresources, and precision medicine, while demonstrating the successful integration of experimental and computational approaches. Published in prestigious international Q1 and Q2 journals, these studies highlight the department’s strong international collaborations, scientific productivity, and growing research influence. As the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Istanbul Technical University continues to strengthen its position within the global scientific community, it remains a leading center for innovative research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of transformative solutions to contemporary biological challenges.

İTÜ Physics Engineering Club: 2026 Scientific Activities and Global Events

İTÜ Pride at a Prestigious Award in Fundamental Physics

Prof. Dr. Cenap Şahabettin Özben, a faculty member in the Department of Physics Engineering at Istanbul Technical University’s Faculty of Science and Letters, was among the scientists honored with the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, one of the most prestigious awards in the field of fundamental physics.

Highlights of Groundbreaking Achievements by İTÜ's Physics Engineering Department (July 2025 – July 2026)

The period from July 2025 to July 2026 has been marked by remarkable accomplishments for the İTÜ Physics Engineering Department, highlighting its groundbreaking research and innovative discoveries.

Highlights of Groundbreaking Achievements by İTÜ's Chemistry Department (July 2025 – July 2026)

The period from July 2025 to July 2026 has been marked by remarkable accomplishments for the İTÜChemistry Department, highlighting its groundbreaking research and innovative discoveries. During this time, several faculty members received prestigious awards and research grants in recognition of their outstanding contributions to cutting-edge science and their commitment to excellence in education. These achievements not only reinforce the department's leading position within the scientific community but also lay a strong foundation for continued innovation and success in the years ahead.

ITU Chemistry Represented in the DYNAMO COST Action Management Committee

The Department of Chemistry at Istanbul Technical University is now represented in the Management Committee (MC) of the newly established COST Action DYNAMO (CA25160, https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA25160/), an international European research network dedicated to understanding membrane protein dynamics and developing innovative strategies for designing modulators of their functional conformations. Dr. Berna Doğan, who participated in the Action's preparatory networking activities prior to its official approval, has been appointed as one of Türkiye's Management Committee representatives. Within DYNAMO, she will contribute to the Working Group "New strategies for the design of modulators of functional membrane protein conformations" by bringing expertise in computational chemistry, molecular modelling, and artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery. Her participation is expected to strengthen ITU's involvement in European research collaborations, foster new interdisciplinary partnerships, and promote the active engagement of early-career researchers in COST networking and training activities.

Research Excellence Honored

Members of İTÜ Faculty of Science and Letters were recognized at the 2026 İTÜ Academic Performance and Publication Awards, held on June 22, 2026, in celebration of outstanding scientific productivity and academic achievement. Based on the evaluation of 2025 publication performance and academic performance between 2023 and 2025, faculty members and researchers from Physics Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Sociology received awards across four categories: Academic Performance Awards, Publication Awards for Faculty Members, Publication Awards for Postdoctoral Researchers, and Publication Awards for Predoctoral Researchers. With 50 award recognitions in total, this achievement highlights the Faculty’s strong research culture, interdisciplinary academic output, and growing contribution to İTÜ’s scientific visibility.

1 2 3 4