Assist Prof Dr. Mehmet Kursat SAHIN | Zoology |Best Researcher Award

🎖️ Strengths and Areas for Improvement

Strengths: Mehmet Kürşat Şahin has extensive experience in herpetology and conservation biology, particularly with sea turtles. He has demonstrated strong research skills through numerous scientific projects and international collaborations. His work has had a significant impact on biodiversity and conservation efforts in Türkiye. Areas for Improvement: While Şahin has a robust academic and research background, expanding his involvement in international conferences and publications could further enhance his profile and global impact.

🎓 Education

PhD in Biology (Zoology): Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Turkey, Dec 2019. MSc in Biology (Zoology): Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Turkey, Feb 2014. BSc in Biology: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Turkey, 2010

📚 Academic Experience

Assistant Professor: Hacettepe University, Department of Biology, Ankara, Turkey (Feb 2023 – Present). Research Assistant, PhD: Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Department of Biology, Karaman, Turkey (Jan 2019 – Jan 2023). Research Assistant: Hacettepe University, Department of Biology, Ankara, Turkey (Apr 2011 – Dec 2018). Research Assistant: Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Department of Biology, Karaman, Turkey (Sep 2010 – Apr 2011)

🔬 Profession

Herpetology, Biodiversity, Molecular Ecology, Molecular Systematics, Biogeography, Ecophysiology, Population Genetics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

🌍 Overseas Experience

Erasmus+ K107 Scholar: Ilia State University, School of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Tbilisi, Georgia (Mar 2019 – Jul 2019). Advanced Course Trainee: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Portugal (Apr 2013). Laboratory Experience: Castilla-La Mancha University (UCLM), Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Toledo, Spain (Jan 2013 – Feb 2013). Foreign Language Education: EC Malta, St. Julian, Malta (Jun – Sep 2011)

🐢 Public (Ministry) Research and Conservation Projects

Research and Conservation Project of Sea Turtle and Nile Turtle Populations in Belek Special Environmental Protection Area (2016 – 2021). Assistant Researcher, led by Dr. Ali Fuat Canbolat, T.R. Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, General Directorate of Protection of Natural Assets

🏆 Awards

FEBS Bursary Award – Young Researchers Grant, for the paper “An enzymatic analysis of serum esterases of pesticide toxicological concern in the Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca, from the Cappadocia Region (Turkey)” at the 50th FEBS-EMBO Conference, Paris, France (2014).

📈 University Scientific Research Projects

Investigation of the Effect of Nest Temperature and Wire Cage Use on Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nest Predation (2013-2014). Investigation of the Effect of Nest Temperature on Offspring Gender and Nest Success in Loggerhead Sea Turtles (2015-2016). Investigation of Geographical Variations of Parvilacerta parva Populations Throughout Turkey (2017). Determination of Hatchling Orientation in Belek Special Environmental Protection Area (2017). Determination of Sea Turtle Hatchling Orientation and Anthropogenic Light Factors (2019). Investigation of Spatial and Temporal Temperature Patterns in Three Lizard Species in the Phrygian Valley (2018-2020). Studies on the Tick Fauna of the Southeastern Anatolia Region (2019-2021). Determination of the Population Genomics of Parvilacerta parva (2018-2021). Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Studies (2021-2024). Comparison of Temperature Sensitivity of Locomotor Performance in Urban and Rural Populations of the Snake-eyed Lizard (2024 – ongoing). Cross-Species Testing of Microsatellites in the Genus Anatololacerta and Determination of Contact Zones (2024 – ongoing)