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

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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.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Zhongnan Wang | Soft Materials | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr Zhongnan Wang | Soft Materials | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhongnan Wang is a leading researcher in biotribology and nanomaterials, currently based at Beijing Jiaotong University 🇨🇳. He holds dual Ph.D. degrees from the University of Warwick and Harbin Institute of Technology 🎓. His interdisciplinary research focuses on hydrogel nanocomposites, MEMS, superlubricity, and biomedical coatings 🧫🩻. With 3 patents, 50+ SCI publications 📚, and editorial roles in top journals, Dr. Wang is driving innovation in medical devices, sensor tech, and wear-resistant systems 🤖💡. His work bridges advanced mechanics and biomedical applications, making him a pioneer in sustainable and intelligent material design 🌱🔍.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Zhongnan Wang, Beijing Jiaotong University, China

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🎓 Education 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhongnan Wang holds dual Ph.D. degrees in Engineering from the University of Warwick 🇬🇧 (2017) and in Mechatronic Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology 🇨🇳 (2016), demonstrating a strong international academic foundation. He earned his Master’s degree in Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in 2009 and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Northeast Agricultural University in 2006. His interdisciplinary education bridges mechanical systems, automation, and materials science 🧪⚙️🧠, equipping him with robust theoretical knowledge and practical skills to lead innovation in advanced tribology, sensors, and hydrogel materials.

🏫 Experience

Dr. Zhongnan Wang has been serving as an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical, Electronic and Control Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University since March 2020 🏫⚙️. Prior to this, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the prestigious State Key Laboratory of Tribology in Advanced Equipment, Tsinghua University from August 2017 to November 2019 🔬🇨🇳. During his postdoctoral tenure, he focused on cutting-edge tribology, nanomaterials, and bio-inspired lubricating systems 🧪💧. His academic career bridges theory and real-world applications in biomechanics, MEMS, and hydrogel development, making him a strong leader in engineering research 🌟📈.

🏅 Honors 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhongnan Wang has been recognized for his academic excellence and editorial leadership. He currently serves as Associate Editor of the Open Access Journal of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (2025–present) and Guest Editor for Lubricants (2025–present). He is also an Editorial Board Member for International Journal of Materials Science and Applications (2024–2027) and Materials Science and Technology (2023–2026). Since 2021, he’s served as a Topic Editor for Materials. As an active reviewer for top journals including ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Langmuir, and Scientific Reports, Dr. Wang is widely respected in the global research community.

🧪 Patents

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhongnan Wang is revolutionizing soft material science through the development of smart composite hydrogels with advanced lubrication and mechanical properties. His patented inventions include a multi-functional hydrogel designed for biomedical and wearable applications (ZL202210451596.1) and a dopamine-modified nanocomposite hydrogel offering enhanced adhesion and resilience (ZL202310234681.7) ⚙️🦾. These hydrogels mimic biological tissue behavior and hold promise for artificial joints, flexible electronics, and bioinspired robotics. His work bridges materials engineering with biomedicine, paving the way for next-generation smart interfaces and soft actuators 🚀🧠🧤.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. Zhongnan Wang’s research spans the cutting edge of biotribology, focusing on the mechanical and lubricating properties of hydrogels for biomedical applications 🧬💧. His work in MEMS devices involves developing advanced sensors and actuators for precise mechanical control and detection ⚙️📡. He specializes in micro/nanotribology, investigating friction and wear at the molecular scale 🔍🧲, and employs advanced material characterization techniques to analyze surface interactions and smart coatings. His interdisciplinary studies integrate nanotechnology, soft materials, and biomechanics to create next-generation solutions for artificial joints, robotics, and smart materials 🤖🩻🌟.

📚 Publications

Sensor for a solid–liquid tribological system
Authors: Ruize Zhang, Zeyang Yu, Zhikai Fan, Shanshan Wang, Yihui Xiang, Yanfei Liu*, Zhongnan Wang*
Journal: Sensors, 2025, Vol. 25, Article 437

A bilayer composite hydrogel with simultaneous high load bearing and superior lubrication by dopamine modified nano-hydroxyapatite
Authors: Zhongnan Wang*, Hui Guo, Ji Zhang, Yi Qian, Fanjie Meng, Yueshan Mu
Journal: Surfaces and Interfaces, 2024, Vol. 51, 104680

Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Hydrogels and Their Potential Bio-Applications
Authors: Zhongnan Wang, Hui Guo, Ji Zhang, Yi Qian, Yanfei Liu*
Journal: Lubricants, 2024, Vol. 12, Article 149

Electric Potential Controlled Ionic Lubrication
Authors: Zhongnan Wang, Hui Guo, Sudesh Singh, Vahid Adibnia, Hongjiang He, Fang Kang, Ye Yang, Chenxu Liu, Tianyi Han*, Chenhui Zhang
Journal: Lubricants, 2024, Vol. 12, Article 214

Preparation and Properties of Nanocomposite Hydrogel with Dopamine Modification
Authors: Zhongnan Wang*, Hui Guo, Yueshan Mu
Journal: Chinese Journal of Materials Research, 2024, Vol. 38(4), pp. 269–278

Low-Friction Hybrid Hydrogel with Excellent Mechanical Properties for Simulating Articular Cartilage Movement
Authors: Zhongnan Wang*, Fanjie Meng, Yue Zhang, Hui Guo
Journal: Langmuir, 2023, Vol. 39(6), pp. 2368–2379

Tribological Investigation of a Mixed Solution with Superlubricity Achieved
Authors: Fanjie Meng, Zhongnan Wang, Qiuying Chang, Zhiyuan Wang, Jianwen Zhang, Xu Geng
Journal: Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2022, Vol. 58(11), pp. 210–219