Professor of Clinical Nutrition at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)
Professor Ayesha Al Dhaheri is a Professor of Clinical Nutrition at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and Advisor to the Vice Chancellor’s Office, with over 26 years of academic, research, and leadership experience. She has held senior roles including Associate Provost for Student Affairs, Vice Dean, and Chair of the Nutrition and Health Department, where she led major curriculum reforms and international accreditations, and contributed to a 23% increase in student enrollment during her tenure in university leadership.
She is President of the Emirates Nutrition Association, Coordinator for MEFOODS and GULFOODS with FAO-Rome, and formerly Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre in Nutrition, where she advanced regional capacity building and nutrition policy initiatives. Recognized as a WHO Regional Facilitator since 2007, she has played a key role in disseminating growth standards and promoting prevention of nutrition-related diseases across the Eastern Mediterranean.
Professor Al Dhaheri has published over 135 peer-reviewed articles, with an h-index of 28 and more than 3,200 citations, focusing on diabetes prevention, glycaemic index, maternal and child nutrition, and metabolic syndrome. She has secured substantial competitive funding, supervised PhD and MSc students, and received multiple awards for publishing in top-tier journals, including UAEU’s Associate Provost of Research Award over several consecutive years.
Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy
Director, TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute
Faculty Member, Istanbul Technical University, Maritime Faculty
President, TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center
Born in Gaziantep, Prof. Burcu Özsoy completed her B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Geodesy and Photogrammetry Engineering at Yıldız Technical University. In 2001, she began her academic career as a research assistant at Istanbul Technical University’s Maritime Faculty and, in 2005, commenced her doctoral studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). During her PhD, she specialized in satellite technologies with a strong focus on statistical mathematics and geophysical sciences.
Her doctoral research centered on monitoring Antarctic sea ice using satellite imagery. Within this framework, she had the opportunity to collaborate with many distinguished national and international scientists in the United States, including at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. In 2006–2007, she participated in her first Antarctic Scientific Expedition with American and Swedish scientists, collecting in-situ sea ice data to validate satellite images and to investigate the interactions between Antarctic sea ice and climate change.
In 2015, she became the Turkish coordinator of a €3 million Horizon 2020 project in collaboration with European partners, focusing on the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In January 2015, she founded and directed Istanbul Technical University’s Polar Research Center (PolReC) until December 2019. As Türkiye’s first and, at the time, only dedicated polar research center, PolReC played a national coordinating role in polar science strategy, fostered international collaborations, and oversaw the Turkish Antarctic Research Station project under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye.
Prof. Özsoy led the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Turkish National Antarctic Expeditions in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively, as well as the first Turkish Arctic Scientific Expedition in July 2019. She contributed expert input to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere, which addresses glaciers, sea ice, permafrost, and frozen regions of the Earth.
Since December 3, 2019, she has been serving as the Director of the TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute and President of the TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center. Following 2020, she has coordinated the 4th through 8th Turkish National Antarctic Scientific Expeditions, as well as the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Turkish National Arctic Scientific Expeditions. She is also a member of the Scientific Steering Committee of the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) and was appointed to the Newton Prize Committee in 2020.
Prof. Özsoy received the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) Young Scientist Award (GEBİP) in Polar Studies in 2020 and was honored with the “Power of Academia (Akademinin Gücü)” Award at the 2024 “Power of Türkiye Awards (Türkiye’nin Gücü Ödülleri)” organized by MÜSİAD. She currently serves as Vice President of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and has authored numerous books, articles, conference papers, and interviews on polar sciences.
In 2025, by appointment of the President of the Republic of Türkiye, she became a member of the Local Administration and Disaster Policies Board.
Prof. F. Nur Baran Aksakal
Science Committee Member of Sabri Ülker Food Research Foundation
Head of the Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Department of Public Health
Professor Aksakal is Head of the Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Department of Public Health and lectures in several areas of Public Health, mainly on life-course immunization, communicable diseases epidemiology, control of infectious diseases and environmental health. She is also involved in field training of trainers for health personnel.
She worked in the Ministry of Health of Turkey, Department of Communicable Diseases and Control of Epidemics as a public health specialist and Unit Head for Control of Epidemics and Surveillance between 2001 and 2004. She also acted as the Secretary of National Immunization Advisory Committee. There she worked in establishing the National Surveillance System for Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). She actively participated in preparing and conducting nationwide routine immunization programmes – being responsible for the Hepatitis B Control and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination Programme – and several supportive immunization campaigns in Turkey.
Since early 2004, Professor Aksakal has been continuing her academic investigations and studies in Gazi University Department of Public Health. She has also worked for WHO/Europe on immunization-related areas mainly on training of health professionals and consultancy in establishing AEFI systems. She currently acts as a member of several national advisory committees, including the National Immunization Advisory Committee and National AEFI Scientific Committee. She has technical and scientific expertise in introduction of new vaccines and establishing and evaluation of AEFI surveillance systems.
Professor Aksakal is Head of the Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Department of Public Health and lectures in several areas of Public Health, mainly on life-course immunization, communicable diseases epidemiology, control of infectious diseases and environmental health. She is also involved in field training of trainers for health personnel.
Prof. Hünkar Korkmaz
Science Committee - Education Board Member of Sabri Ülker Food Research Foundation
Hacettepe University, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences, Division of Curriculum and Instruction
Prof. Dr. Hünkar Korkmaz is working at Hacettepe University, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences, Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Korkmaz received his Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees from Hacettepe University. She was at Texas Tech University, USA for postdoctoral studies and worked with Dr. Julie Anna Thomas. She has 30 years of experience in the field of education as a teacher, inspector and lecturer. Dr. Korkmaz served as the Director of Hacettepe University Lifelong Learning Center and Head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction between 2014-2016. Within the scope of in-service training, she gave seminars to national and international teachers on curriculum literacy, alternative assessment techniques, material development and instructional technologies, teaching principles and methods. Within the scope of Continuing Education Center / Lifelong Learning Center activities at Hacettepe University and Akdeniz University, she conducted Training of Trainers programs for the personnel of institutions such as Sun Expres Airlines, Corendon Airlines, Sky Airlines, ICF, State Airports Authority, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Hacettepe University. She served as a member of TUBITAK SOBAG Social and Human Sciences Research Support Group Called Projects Advisory Board, panelist and external consultant. She took part in the Company-Based Education Working Group of the Technology Development Foundation (TEGEV). She serves as a project consultant and author in the dimensions of Program Development and Course Material Preparation, Teacher Training in the Balanced Nutrition Education Project carried out by the Ministry of National Education General Directorate of Basic Education and Sabri Ülker Food Research Institute in 20 provinces. She has worked as a trainer, consultant and executive in TUBITAK, European Union, Ministry of National Education, Private Sector Supported Projects. She has national and international books, papers and publications.
Dr. Julian D Stowell
Science Committee Consultant of Sabri Ülker Food Research Foundation
Dr Julian Stowell has retired from his previous position as a Vice President of Scientific Affairs for DuPont, becoming a consultant in nutrition science and legislation. Dr Stowell has a background in biochemistry, holding degrees from Birmingham University, the University of Kent and the University of Hertfordshire, all in the UK. He has more than 40 years experience in R&D, manufacturing, commercial and scientific roles in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Dr Stowell is a past board member of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Europe, and, from May 2010 to July 2020, served as a visiting research professor at the Oxford Brookes University Centre for Nutrition and Health, formerly the Functional Foods Centre. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) and Past President of the RSM Forum on Food and Health. Dr Stowell has also chaired and participated in many other groups active in the field of health and nutrition.
Dr. Laura Fernández Celemín
Science Committee Member of Sabri Ülker Food Research Foundation
European Food Information Council (EUFIC) - General Director
Dr Laura Fernández Celemín holds a Diploma degree in dietetics & human nutrition and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.
Laura’s role as Director General of EUFIC includes deciding on the Nutrition and Food Safety strategy for EUFIC and the supervision of EUFIC activities in EU-funded research projects
Laura has published several manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, trade magazines and other specialised press. In addition, she has given numerous presentations about EUFIC, EUFIC’s consumer research as well as on results from EU-project research to various audiences.
EUFIC communicates science-based information on nutrition and health, food safety and quality, to help consumers to be better informed when choosing a well-balanced, safe and healthful diet.
Prof. Renger F. Witkamp
Professor in Nutritional Biology
Prof. Dr. Renger F. Witkamp is Professor and Chair of Nutritional Biology at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). He holds degrees in Biology and Pharmacy and obtained his PhD at Utrecht University, where his doctoral research focused on the hormonal regulation of drug metabolism. After serving as associate professor in pharmacology at the faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University, he joined TNO in 1996 to work at the interface of nutrition and pharmacology. In 2006, he was appointed Chair of the Nutrition and Pharmacology group at WUR. Following its integration into the Nutritional Biology group in 2019, he became Chair of this group.
His research centres on the relationships between diet, specific nutrients, bioactive compounds, and human (patho)physiology, with a particular emphasis on functional capacity across the life course. A central theme in his work is physiological resilience and the body’s adaptive responses to challenges such as ageing, chronic disease, and physical stress, and the role of nutrition in modulating these processes. His group also investigates the interface between nutrition and pharmacology, with a focus on clinical applications and nutrient–drug interactions. In collaboration with the Intensive Care Unit of Gelderse Vallei Hospital (Ede), he is involved in research on the role of nutrition before, during, and after hospital admission, particularly in relation to recovery, rehabilitation, and the prevention of complications. Prof. Witkamp has (co-)authored over 210 scientific publications and several book chapters, and he regularly contributes to public and media discussions on nutrition and health.
In addition to his research and teaching activities, he serves on the Academic Board of Wageningen University. He is Chair of the Voeding Leeft Foundation, which focuses on implementing lifestyle-based health interventions, and holds board positions with the European Nutrition Leadership Platform (ENLP), the Nutrition Alliance (a collaboration between UMC Utrecht, Gelderse Vallei Hospital, Wageningen University & Research, and Rijnstate Hospital), and the Institute for Medicinal Cannabis Netherlands.
Prof. Serhat Ünal
Science Committee Member of Sabri Ülker Food Research Foundation
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Head of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department and Director of Vaccine Institute
Dr. Serhat ÜNAL graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1981. He received specialization training in Internal Diseases (1981-1985) and infectious diseases (1989-1990) in Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Ünal also received a specialty training in Infectious Diseases (1990-1992) at the Department of Internal Medicine at the United States Harvard Medical School New England Deaconess Hospital.
Dr. Unal, between the years 1987-1989 Hacettepe University Medical School Cubuk Health Group Deputy Chief of Training and Research Hospital, Family Planning Association of Turkey and the European Community between 1995-1998. AIDS: Senior Policy and Decision Bodies Initiative Project Consultant, European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases «Nosocomial Infections Working Group» between 2003-2007, EFIM Congress Organization Committee Chairman and Congress Chairman in 2009.
Dr. Ünal served as the Deputy Dean of Faculty of Medicine at Hacettepe University between 1996-2000, and served as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the same university between 2006-2011.
Dr. Ünal is the founding president of the Turkish Hospital Infections Association founded in 2000. In addition, in 2010, he was elected as the president of the Turkish Internal Diseases Specialization Association. Between 2001-2013, he served as the head of Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine. Since 2013, he has been appointed as the Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and still continues this duty. Founded in 2018, he is still working as the Director of Hacettepe University Vaccine Institute.
Dr. Ünal started to work as an associate professor in the Department of Internal Diseases, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1989 and received the title of Professor in 1995. His research interests include resistance mechanisms to different antibiotics in Gram-positive bacteria, the use of molecular biology techniques in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, and HIV infection.
Dr. Ünal was selected as the "Fellow" of the American College of Physicians in 2010 and the Royal Collage of Physicians in 2017. İhsan Doğramacı Award; Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, Scotland (1980), Eczacıbaşı Medicine Encouragement Award (1995), TUBITAK Medicine Incentive Award (1996), Voluntary Organizations Women's Health Commission (KASAKOM) - Millennium Volunteers Outstanding Service Award (for his work in the field of HIV / AIDS (2002), Rotary Award for Successful Man of the Year (2006) and The Centenary Medal of Polish Society of Internal Medicine, Poland (2008).
Prof. Zehra Büyüktuncer Demirel
Science Committee - Nutrition Board Member of Sabri Ülker Food Research Foundation
Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Hacettepe University
Vice Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Hacettepe University
Prof. Zehra Buyuktuncer-Demirel graduated with a BSc degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Hacettepe University in 2000. She completed an MSc in Dietetics in 2003 and a PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2008 at the Institute of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University. Prof. Büyüktuncer-Demirel was appointed as assistant professor in 2011, associate professor in 2012 and professor in 2018 at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Hacettepe University, where she started as a research assistant in 2001. She is currently the Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, and also Vice Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Hacettepe University. Prof. Büyüktuncer-Demirel worked as a lecturer in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Chester in the UK between 2008-2010, and also as a visiting researcher at Columbia University, Irving Medical Center and Sleep Center of Excellence in the United States in 2019-2020. Prof. Büyüktuncer-Demirel has been the Turkish delegate to the European Federation of Associations of Dietitians (EFAD) and the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations (ICDA) in Turkey since 2015. She is also a member of the EFAD Education Advisory Board. In addition, Prof. Büyüktuncer-Demirel has been a member of the Food and Nutrition Working Group of the Turkish Academy of Sciences since 2018.
Dr. Zeki Ziya Sözen
Science Committee Member of Sabri Ülker Food Research Foundation
Dr Sözen, completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Orta Doğu Technical University. He then obtained his PhD at the Chemical Engineering Department, British Columbia University in Canada. After developing his career in a variety of senior positions in several local and international companies, in 1996 Dr Sözen joined Yıldız Holding as General Manager of Ak Gıda. Between 2003-2009 he worked as Head of R&D and Business Development and retired from Head of the Food, Frozen Products and Personal Care Group at Yıldız Holding.
