Züleyhan BARAN | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award
Assoc. Prof. Dr Züleyhan BARAN, Duzce University, Turkey
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Züleyhan Baran is a distinguished academic specializing in food engineering, tourism, and gastronomy 
. She holds doctorates from Sakarya University (2017) and Düzce University (2023). Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor at Düzce University, leading the Tourism and Hotel Management program . Dr. Baran has spearheaded numerous projects, including probiotic ice cream development and functional food innovations 
. Her research focuses on halal food, digital tourism, and culinary traditions. She actively contributes to international journals and academic panels. Dr. Baran also serves as the Vice Director of the Hazelnut Research Center .
Publication Profile
Academic Background
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Züleyhan Baran is a distinguished academic with dual doctorates 
—one in Natural and Herbal Products, Cosmetics from Düzce University (2023) and another in Tourism Management from Sakarya University (2017). Her doctoral research explored halal food practices and customer expectations 
. She holds a master’s in Tourism and Hotel Management from Düzce University (2011) and a bachelor’s in Food Engineering from Gaziantep University (2003) 
. Dr. Baran’s expertise bridges food science, tourism, and quality management, with significant contributions to academia and industry 
.
Research Projects
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Züleyhan Baran is a leading expert in food science and technology, with a focus on innovative research in probiotic ice cream, hazelnut products, and albumin production. Her work demonstrates a commitment to advancing food engineering, emphasizing the development of functional foods and halal food applications. Dr. Baran’s interdisciplinary expertise also extends to tourism, where she integrates food science with broader cultural trends. She has led multiple national research projects, contributing to the advancement of sustainable, functional, and culturally relevant food solutions. 
Strong Publication Record
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Züleyhan Baran is an accomplished researcher with a diverse academic focus. She has authored several articles in international peer-reviewed journals, contributing to fields such as digital tourism, gastronomy, and e-trust. Her work highlights her extensive research scope and the impactful contributions she has made to these interdisciplinary areas. Dr. Baran’s expertise and innovative approach have earned her recognition in the academic community, making her a notable figure in her field. 
Duties Performed in Projects
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Züleyhan Baran has led numerous scientific research projects in the food and biotechnology sectors. Key studies include “Measuring the Level of Customer Satisfaction in Food Applications Using the Kano Model” (2015-2017), “Probiotic Ice Cream Production and Content Analysis” (2021-2023), and “Production of Protein and Hydrolyzed Protein for Baby Foods” (2022-2023). He also managed research on “Medical Plant Extracted Hazelnut Paste Production” (2018-2020) and “New Hazelnut-based Dairy Products” (2018-2020). Currently, he is leading the “Whey Albumin Production and Its Use in the Food Industry” project (2023-2024). 
Leadership & Administrative Roles
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Züleyhan Baran has demonstrated exceptional leadership in academia. As the head of her department, she has played a pivotal role in shaping academic strategies and fostering growth. Her expertise extends to her role as an Erasmus coordinator, where she has contributed to international academic collaboration. Additionally, as a board member, Dr. Baran actively participates in decision-making processes that influence academic development and innovation. Her commitment to advancing education and research, combined with her leadership and administrative roles, has made her a significant figure in her academic community. 
Research Focus
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Züleyhan Baran’s research focus lies in the intersection of tourism, digital technologies, and gastronomy. She explores innovative developments in tourism through the metaverse , digital marketing in tourism , and smart technologies in the hospitality industry . Her work examines how advancements in technology, such as robotization and smart systems, impact the hospitality and tourism sectors . Additionally, she focuses on enhancing the tourism experience, particularly in the realm of gastronomy . Her research addresses the integration of digital and smart innovations to optimize tourism experiences and marketing strategies, contributing significantly to tourism development .