They became partners in the 'project'

12 projects prepared by Izmir University of Economics (IUE) students were entitled to receive support within the scope of "2209-A Research Projects Support Program" implemented by TUBITAK to encourage young people in scientific studies. Students, who have the opportunity to receive a grant of up to 4 thousand liras for each project, started working with their advisor academics in different fields such as biomedical, genetics and electrical and electronics. Young people, who come to IUE campus outside of their class hours and work in laboratories and sometimes in groups of 3-4 people made up of their classmates, progressed rapidly in their projects within 1 month. Stating that the works may continue in the summer, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar said, “We have opened all the physical and technological facilities of the University for students’ use without any day or time restrictions.”

METICULOUSLY REVIEWED

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) determined the students to be awarded scholarships by meticulously reviewing thousands of applications across the country. TUBITAK, which has made an important contribution to the experience of young people by working with their academics in the fields they are interested in, has made a comprehensive evaluation on many criteria including the weighted grade point average of the students and the quality of the projects. IUE Department of Biomedical Engineering students Selin Ergüç, Berna Öykü Özbey, Yaren Arkan, Eren Altınışık, Altan Kaptan, Meryem Beyza Avcı; Department of Genetics and Bioengineering students Tolga Danışmaz, Nazlıgül Keske, Onur Ateş, Büşra Acet, Başak Buse Eren, and Department of Electrical-Electronics Engineering student Emre Kurt qualified to receive grant. While one student appears as the coordinator in each project, the work can be continued as a team with the participation of other students. 

BOTH DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-CONFIDENCE

IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar said that as a university, they attach great importance to research projects. Prof. Dr. Aşkar stated that the competition among young people has increased with the effect of rapid development in technology, and each project prepared is very beneficial for the development of students and increasing their self-confidence. “14 of our students were entitled to be supported within the scope of the Trainee Researcher Scholarship Program (STAR) initiated by TUBITAK in the past months. Our students had the opportunity to work with their academics and received scholarships for their projects. Now, many of our students have had a similar opportunity within the scope of the '2209-A Research Projects Support Program'. Our students must always be open to learning, not afraid to make mistakes, focus on the best and not get bored of working. It is very important for them to produce projects and work with academics to achieve these. The support provided by TUBITAK is a great opportunity for our students,” said Prof. Dr. Aşkar. 

HERE ARE SOME OF THE PROJECTS

- Student Berna Öykü Özbey and Dr. Gülizar Çalışkan Bilgin, Lecturer, Department of Biomedical Engineering: “Production of nanoparticles that can be used in many fields including the health sector, environment and energy using plant extracts.”

- Student Meryem Beyza Avcı and Prof. Dr. Aydın Akan, Head of Department of Electrical-Electronics Engineering: “Prediction of epileptic attacks using EEG signals.”

- Student Başak Buse Eren and Asst. Prof. Dr. Cihangir Yandım, Department of Genetics and Bioengineering: “Identifying personalized medicine for breast cancer mutations.”

- Student Altan Kaptan and Asst. Prof. Dr. Günnur Güler, Department of Biomedical Engineering: “Researching the interaction mechanism of monoclonal antibodies and binding molecules used in cancer treatment via biomedical optics and computer-based molecular docking techniques.”

ACADEMICS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECTS

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Doluca, Head of IUE Department of Biomedical Engineering, Asst. Prof. Dr. Burçak Alp, Asst. Prof. Dr. Günnur Güler and Lecturer Dr. Gülizar Çalışkan Bilgin, Prof. Dr. Aydın Akan, Head of Department of Electrical-Electronics Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Fırtına Karagonlar, Head of Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Asst. Prof. Dr. Işınay Ebru Yüzay and Asst. Prof. Dr. Cihangir Yandım, Prof. Dr. Nuri Süha Bayındır, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, are working with students on the projects.