Prof. Özer ÇINAR

Biography

Prof. Dr. Özer Çinar is a high-achieving, dynamic, focused and committed researcher with a Bachelor in Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Dokuz Eylül University (Izmir, Turkey), Master in Science degree in Environmental Systems Engineering, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Environmental Engineering and Science, the latter two from Clemson University (South Carolina, USA). His PhD dissertation, titled 'Factors influencing Biodegradation of Benzoate by Denitrifying Bacterial Cultures', was supervised by Prof. Dr. Leslie Grady, Jr., considered one of the most distinguished scholars in the field of Environmental Engineering, and holder of a number of awards, including Feng Distinguished Lecturer by the University of Massachusetts, Distinguished Lecturer by the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, and Harrison Prescott Eddy Medal by the Water Environment Federation.

Prof. Dr. Çinar has been actively involved in scientific research since 2002, working as a principal investigator and project coordinator in projects sponsored and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Western Carolina Regional Sewage Authority, The Scientific and Technical Council of Turkey, and State Planning Organization of Turkey (DPT). He has documented his scientific findings in more than forty academic articles published in recognized peer-reviewed scientific journals such as Water Environment Research, Environmental Engineering Science, Water Science and Technology, FEMS Microbiology Letters, and Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, and participated in over seventy scientific conferences pertaining to Sustainable Development, Green Energy, Environmental Engineering, Wastewater Treatment, Membrane Processes, and other related topics. He has also authored six books, is currently the Editor in Chief of two scientific journals, and referees for eleven other journals.

Prof. Dr. Çinar's pedagogical expertise commenced in 1992, working as a Teaching Assistant in Istanbul Technical University and then in 1999 in Clemson University, then as an Assistant Professor in 2003, Associate Professor in 2005, and Professor Doctor in 2011 in Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Professor Doctor in the Department of Genetics and Bioengineering in the International University of Sarajevo, and currently holds the position of Professor Doctor in Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, at Yıldız Technical University since 2014. He has also served a number of administrative positions since 2003, becoming a founding Department Head between 2003 and 2011, and then an Associate Dean between 2011 and 2014 at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, before serving as Rector at the International University of Sarajevo between 2012 and 2014. He also founded and directed the Department of Bioengineering and Sciences and the Center for University-Industry-Public Cooperation at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University.

Prof. Dr. Çinar's major research interests are biological wastewater treatment, biodegradation and bioremediation of recalcitrant organic compounds, hazardous waste management, and the application of environmental microbiology to the development of enhanced methods of biodegrading hazardous organics.