Research Coordination Office
METU Honored with the 2026 CoHE (YÖK) “Doctoral Dissertation of the Year in Engineering” Award
Dear Researchers,
We are proud to share that our university has been honored with the 2026 Council of Higher Education (CoHE / YÖK) Outstanding Achievement Award in the category of “Doctoral Dissertation of the Year in Engineering.”
Doctoral Dissertation of the Year Award (Engineering)
“Formulation of Pickering Emulsions and Investigation of Their Intragastric Gelation Behavior by Flow-Assisted Magnetic Resonance Imaging”
The award was granted for the doctoral dissertation conducted by Research Assistant Dr. Esmanur İlhan Şen of the Department of Food Engineering, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Mecit Halil Öztop and the co-supervision of Prof. Dr. Behiç Mert.
As part of the dissertation, novel emulsion systems composed of natural ingredients and capable of forming a gel-like structure upon reaching the stomach were developed, and their behavior during digestion was investigated using magnetic resonance imaging. The study generated important findings that may contribute to the development of functional foods designed to support more controlled digestion and prolonged satiety, while also paving the way for international publications and new scientific collaborations.
This award is a valuable recognition of our university’s strength in fostering original and innovative research, cultivating a strong research culture, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and transforming knowledge into international scientific impact.
On behalf of the METU Research Coordination Office, we warmly congratulate Research Assistant Dr. Esmanur İlhan Şen, together with her dissertation advisors, Prof. Dr. Mecit Halil Öztop and Prof. Dr. Behiç Mert, and wish them continued and growing success in their scientific endeavors.
Kind regards,
METU Research Coordination Office