EDUCATION

PhD, Biology (2024) Middle East Technical University, Department of Biological Sciences, Ankara, Turkiye
Thesis: Investigation of the Effects of Lithium on Locomotor Activity, Circadian Rhythm, and Learning Using Computational Methods in Honey Bees

MSc, Biology (2018) Middle East Technical University, Department of Biological Sciences, Ankara, Turkiye
Thesis: Differences in Learning Performance and Related Behaviors Across Three Honey Bee Subspecies from Turkey

BSc, Biology (2015) Middle East Technical University, Department of Biological Sciences, Ankara, Turkiye

WORK EXPERIENCE

Researcher
Middle East Technical University, Center for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Project: RoboRoyal: ROBOtic Replicants for Optimizing the Yield by Augmenting Living Ecosystems EU-Horizon2020-FET-Open – ID: 964492 (December 2021 – Ongoing)

Founder & CEO
Vitaliter Natural Sciences and Engineering R&D Ltd. (March 2016 – November 2018)

PROJECTS

PROJECT MANAGER

Development of a Biosensor Using Honey Bees for Detection of Explosives and Narcotic Substances (July 2016 – September 2017). Supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK) under the 1512 program. (Budget: $ 5,200)

Effects of Light and Serotonin on Sex Determination in Water Fleas (Daphnia magna) (September 2013 – September 2014). Supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK) under the 2209-A program. (Budget: $ 750)

RESEARCHER

Study of Behavioral Interactions and Nutrition of Queen and Worker Bees to Determine Queen Bee Health and Needs (June 2021 – June 2022). Supported by METU Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Project Manager: Hande Alemdar / Budget: $ 1,175)

SCHOLARSHIP

Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye – TÜBİTAK BİDEB 2250 Graduate Performance Scholarship (September 2022 – Present)

Project assistant. Hive 4.0: Artificial intelligence-based objective approaches in honeybee monitoring. Middle East Technical University, Department of Computer Engineering, (May 2022 – November 2024) Supported by TÜBİTAK

The Council of Higher Education – YOK 100/2000 Doctoral Fellowship in Bioinformatics – Biostatistics field (2019 – 2021)

Project assistant. Investigation of the neural basis of attention in the fruit fly. TOBB Economy and Technology University, Psychology Department (December 2017 – July 2018) Supported by TÜBİTAK

AWARD

Erdem, B., Akpolat, M. T., & Arslan, O. C. (Kovan Team) “Development of a biosensor for detecting explosives and narcotics using honey bees.” Special Prize in the IDEA Category of the “New Ideas New Businesses” Technopreneurship Program, Organized by METU Technopolis and METU. December 5, 2015, Ankara.

TRAININGS & CERTIFICATES      

T-Jump Entrepreneurship Accelerator Camp, February 9-19, 2016. METU Technopolis, San Francisco, USA

New Ideas New Businesses Technopreneurship Program, June – September 2015. METU Technopolis, Ankara, Turkiye

Erciyes & Sultan Reeds Nature Education Certificate. August 2010. Erciyes University & TÜBİTAK, Kayseri, Turkiye