Prof. Dr. Ekmel Özbay is an academic who conducts research in the fields of physics and electrical and electronics engineering. His research areas include nanophotonics, metamaterials, photonic crystals, semiconductor lasers, and optoelectronic systems operating in the terahertz frequency range. Özbay continues his academic work at the Departments of Physics and Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Bilkent University. Additionally, he carries out experimental and applied research under the umbrella of the Nanotechnology Research Center (NANOTAM) established within the university.

Ekmel Özbay, born in Ankara in 1966, graduated from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Middle East Technical University in 1987. He earned his master’s degree (1989) and doctorate (1992) from Stanford University. He continued his postdoctoral research at the same university and conducted research activities between 1993 and 1995 at the Ames National Laboratory, affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy.

In 1995, he joined Bilkent University as a faculty member and currently serves as a professor in both the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the Department of Physics. In addition, he:

• is the founder and director of NANOTAM (Bilkent National Nanotechnology Research Center).
• directs BİLUZAY (Bilkent Space Technologies and Research Center).

These centers aim to strengthen the infrastructure for advanced technology research in Türkiye.

^{Photo of Ekmel Özbay (}TUBA⁾

Prof. Dr. Özbay’s research encompasses the following areas:

• Nanophotonics and Metamaterials: Development of artificial materials with properties not found in nature, designed to control electromagnetic waves.
• GaN-based electronic and optoelectronic devices: Light-emitting diodes, lasers, and high-frequency electronic components.
• Photonic crystals, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), ultrafast optical phenomena, and quantum optics.

Throughout his career, he has published over 400 papers indexed in the SCI, which have received more than 15,000 citations. He has also delivered over 150 invited talks at international conferences.

Prof. Dr. Özbay has received numerous national and international awards:

• 1997 – TÜBİTAK Science Award
• 1997 – Adolf Lomb Medal, Optical Society of America
• 1998 – Sedat Simavi Science Award
• 2005 – European Union Descartes Science Award
• 2006 – TÜBİTAK Science Award (Basic Sciences)
• 2024 – ODTÜ Parlar Foundation Science Award

In 2001, he was elected a full member of the Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi (TÜBA).

^{Ekmel Özbay receiving the EU Descartes Science Award (}T^UBA⁾

Prof. Dr. Ekmel Özbay is married and the father of six children. In addition to his scientific work, he is actively engaged in promoting the dissemination of scientific knowledge to the public and involving young researchers in the research process. Özbay is a prominent figure in Türkiye’s academic community through his research in nanotechnology, photonics, and metamaterials. His contributions are regarded as exemplary in advancing both fundamental science and the development of Türkiye’s research infrastructure.