Prof. Dr. Turgay Cakmak | Biomaterials | Best Researcher Award

Professor Turgay Cakmak is a leading expert in plant molecular biology and microalgal biotechnology. He currently serves at Istanbul Medeniyet University, where he has held faculty roles. His research focuses on cellular redox regulation, alternative oxidase pathways, and the biotechnological potential of stress-adapted microalgae. With international research experience in Sweden and the USA, he has led multiple nationally funded projects and supervised numerous graduate theses. His work bridges fundamental science and applied innovation in sustainable bioenergy, environmental resilience, and molecular plant responses.

Prof. Dr. Turgay Cakmak | Istanbul Medeniyet University | Turkey

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Education 

Professor Turgay Cakmak holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Biology from Atatürk University. His doctoral research included collaborative experimental work carried out at two internationally recognized institutions: Lund University in Sweden and California State University San Marcos in the United States. His thesis, titled niversity, where he investigated the impacts of electrical field application on the cold resistance of selected plant species. His acade Plant Respiratory Chain: Regulation of Cellular Redox by Inorganic Nitrogen Sources and Redox Responses of Alternative Oxidase, was supervised by Professor Rahmi Dumlupinar. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Biology, completed in December at Atatürk Umic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the same university.

Experience

Professor Turgay Cakmak has over two decades of academic and research experience in molecular biology and genetics. He currently serves as a professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University, where he has held academic positions including assistant and associate professorships. His postdoctoral research was conducted at Bilkent University’s National Nanotechnology Research Center. He also gained international research experience as a research assistant at Lund University in Sweden and California State University San Marcos in the United States. Earlier in his career, he served as a research assistant at Atatürk University, contributing to numerous national and international projects in plant physiology, redox biology, and microalgal biotechnology.

Awards and Recognitions

Throughout his academic journey, Professor Cakmak has earned multiple honors and competitive research fellowships. These include a postdoctoral research scholarship awarded for work on anatomical and biochemical responses of Arabidopsis thaliana to various nitrogen sources. He was selected for the Erasmus Mobility Grant, which enabled a short research visit to the University of Napoli Federico II in Italy. His poster presentation was awarded the Best Poster Prize at the International VII Molecular Biology and Genetics Winter School. Additionally, he received support from TÜBİTAK for participation in the European Molecular Biology Laboratory PhD Symposium in Heidelberg, Germany. His time at California State University San Marcos was supported by a prestigious NIH-funded research scholarship.

Contributions 

Professor Turgay Cakmak has made impactful contributions to plant molecular biology, microalgal biotechnology, and redox signaling. His work has expanded scientific understanding of how stress conditions influence metabolic pathways in plants and microalgae, particularly focusing on antioxidant mechanisms, alternative oxidase responses, and sustainable bioresource development. He has led and collaborated on numerous national and international research projects, mentored graduate students, and published widely in high-impact journals. His innovative studies on algae-based biofuels, natural pigments, and functional bioproducts highlight his commitment to integrating molecular biology with real-world applications in health, energy, and the environment.

Research Projects

Professor Turgay Cakmak has led and contributed to a wide array of interdisciplinary research projects focused on plant physiology, microalgal biotechnology, and cellular redox regulation. He served as Principal Investigator (PI) and researcher in projects funded by prominent institutions such, the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Istanbul Medeniyet University Research Fund. His projects include the establishment of a microalgae culture collection, investigations into antioxidant properties and carotenoid biosynthesis in microalgae under stress conditions, and the biotechnological evaluation of algae from volcanic crater lakes. He has also led studies on biodiesel feedstock production from microalgae, cryopreservation techniques, and the role of nitrogen sources in cellular redox responses in plants. These projects highlight his leadership in integrating molecular biology with applied biotechnology and environmental sustainability.

Research Focus 

Professor Cakmak’s research is primarily centered on understanding the molecular mechanisms of redox regulation in plants, with special attention to the role of inorganic nitrogen sources and alternative oxidase activity. His work has extended to exploring the physiological and biochemical adaptations of plants and microalgae under stress conditions. Notably, his research interests have expanded into algal biotechnology and biofuel development, focusing on the biotechnological potential of microalgae under various environmental stresses. He has contributed significantly to knowledge on microalgal biodiesel production, stress biology, and redox signaling pathways, establishing himself as a recognized scholar in both plant molecular biology and environmental biotechnology.

Publications

Mycosporine-like amino acids in microalgae and cyanobacteria: Biosynthesis, diversity, and applications in biotechnology

Authors: Görünmek M., Ballık B., Cakmak Z.E., Cakmak T.
Journal: Algal Research.

Long-term diazotrophic cultivation of Trichormus sp. IMU26: Evaluation of physiological changes related to elevated phycobiliprotein content
Authors: Haddad M.F., Dayioglu T., Yaman M., Nalbantoglu B., Cakmak T.
Journal: Journal of Applied Phycology.

Study of the Ability of Lutein and Neoxanthin as Standards and in the Extract of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to Prevent Oxidatively Induced DNA Base Damage Using Ultrasensitive GC–MS/MS Analysis
Authors: Şahin S., Aybastıer Ö., Dawbaa S., Karkar B., Cakmak T.
Journal: Chromatographia.

Antioxidant composite films with chitosan and carotenoid extract from Chlorella vulgaris: Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of carotenoids and surface characterization of chitosan films
Authors: Şahin S., Nasir N.T.B.M., Erken I., Cakmak Z.E., Cakmak T.
Journal: Materials Research Express.

Long-term diazotrophic cultivation induces phycobiliprotein production in Anabaena variabilis IMU8
Authors: Haddad M.F., Dayioglu T., Nalbantoğlu B., Cakmak T.
Journal: Biocell.