Education 2013 2018 (Expected) PhD: Texas Tech University / Lubbock - USA Mechanical Engineering CGPA: 3.57 / 4.00 (Ongoing) 2007 2013 BS-Major: Middle East Technical University / Ankara TURKEY Mechanical Engineering CGPA: 2.73 / 4.00 (Unofficial Biology Minor CGPA: 3.81 / 4.00)* * 8 Biology courses I have taken throughout my undergraduate education are in my transcript. 2004 2007 High School: Çankaya Milli Piyango Anadolu Lisesi / Ankara TURKEY Average: 4.88/5.00
Previous Work Experience 06.03.2012 15.06.2013 Middle East Technical University Animal Behavior Laboratory Ankara, Turkey Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ewa Jakubowska-Doğru Project Researcher I am working in my own project where I am studying on the effects of prenatal alcohol consumption on visual acuity in rats. I am also working on the technical apparatus of the experiment setup as an engineer. Therefore, it was an interdisciplinary study. 02.03.2012 25.09.2012 Middle East Technical University Biomechanics Laboratory Ankara, Turkey Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ergin Tönük Project Researcher I have been analyzing the forces and stresses induced on the skull of a human during a head crash, in a project which I proposed. I am planning to build a helmet or neck collar for older people to prevent damages and traumas when they fall, depending on the results of the analysis. 28.11.2011 15.02.2012 Middle East Technical University Robotics Laboratory Ankara, Turkey Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Buğra Koku Project Researcher Have been working on a robot called ArmadilloBot from the beginning to the present. This robot is being aimed to be mimicking the animals called Armadillos or wood louses. It will be able to take a sphere-like shape when needed and roll over to move fast. It will have several other novel properties in robotics field. I am one of the two senior student researchers of a group of three people; Assoc. Dr. Buğra Koku being the third team member.
08.2011 09.2011 Denmark Technical University Biomimetic Laboratory Copenhagen, Denmark Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Torben Anker Lenau Project Intern Worked on several approaches on biomimetic, which is the application of biological information in engineering science. Tried to produce micro or even nano-layered structures, using basic principles of chemistry and physics by observing the layer production of mussel shells and jewel beetles. 04.2011 06.2011 Middle East Technical University Population Genetics Laboratory Ankara, Turkey Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Meral Kence Project Researcher Studied the fluctuating asymmetry of the species Apis mellifera (bee), which is a statistical deviation from the optimum symmetry of some specific properties of an animal, such as the vessel network of the wings. Highly magnified pictures are taken, programs to analyze the data are learnt and used. The data is used to analyze the evolutionary history of the animal population. 08.2010 09.2010 Carnegie Mellon University Nanorobotics Laboratory Pittsburgh, PA / USA Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Metin Sıttı Project Intern Worked on a robot called Water Strider Robot that moves on the surface of water without sinking, by mimicking Gerridae family. Optimizations were done, new body and circuits were designed and built by me.
06.2009 09.2009 Kalahari Waterpark & Resort Hotel Wisconsin Dells, WI / USA Maintenance Staff & Technician Maintenance of the pumps and slides, technical work and repair. I was responsible for the maintenance of over 20 slides. Their motors and conveyors were generally problematic and I was responsible for solving their malfunction. Academic Teaching Experience Fall 2014 Summer-1 2014 Spring 2014 Spring 2014 Fall 2013 ME-2115: Introduction to Programming Lab (As a GPTI, Dr. Colleen Berg) ME-4334: Control of Dynamic Systems (As a TA, Dr. Seon Mi Han) BIOL-5305: Organic Evolution for Advanced Students (As a Student, Dr. Matthew Olson, 1 full class hour) ME-3228: Materials & Mechanics Lab (As a GPTI, Dr. Jharna Chaudhuri) ME-3333: Dynamic Systems and Vibrations (As a TA, Dr. Alan Barhorst) Books Published Bakırcı, C.M. (2014). The theory and mechanisms of evolution: On the foundations of evolution and how it works. (2nd ed.). İstanbul: Evrensel Basım Yayın. Acknowledgements Engineered Biomimicry, Elsevier (2013), Chapter 13: Biomimetic Self-Organization and Self-Healing, pp: 337-362. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-415995-2.00013-1
Conference Proceedings Bakırcı, C. M. (2012, January). How does evolutionary biology direct our technology? (Turkish). 7th National Evolution Conference (Turkish), Ankara, Turkey. Bakırcı, C. M. (2011, December). The importance of comprehending evolutionary robotics and ethology for the future of engineering technologies (Turkish). Symposium on evolution, science and education (Turkish), Istanbul, Turkey. Scientific Magazine Articles Bakırcı, C.M. (2014, January 01). Middle East Technical University and its scientific history (Turkish). Bilim ve Ütopya, (228), 49-54. Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, November 01). What is science? (Turkish). Bilim ve Ütopya, (231), 69-74. Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, October 01). 20 questions and 20 answer about evolution (Turkish). Bilim ve Ütopya, (230), 11-24. Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, July 01). Science, education and politics: An essay on the nature of human. (Turkish). Bilim ve Ütopya, (229), 50-60. Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, June 01). Species, their definitions and races (Turkish). Bilim ve Ütopya, (228), 49-54. Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, May 01). Mechanisms of evolution (Turkish). Bilim ve Ütopya, (227), 53-65. Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, May 14). On the speed of evolution (Turkish). Fikir Bilim Dergisi Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, April 01). On the invalidity of perfection argument (Turkish). Bilim ve Ütopya, (226), 43-54. Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, March 01). Confrontation of Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey with evolution (Turkish). Bilim ve Ütopya, (225), 62-72. Bakırcı, C.M. (2012, October 01). Two margins of evolutionary biology: evolutionary robotics and bionics (Turkish). Bilim ve Ütopya, (220), 32-41. Bakırcı, C.M. (2012, May 01). Speciation 1: What is speciation? On the definitions of species (Turkish). Bilim ve Gelecek (220), 32-41. Scientific Newspaper Articles Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, June 20). Evolution that directs our technology (Turkish). BilimsoL, (262), 13-14. Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, May 10). Criticism for the symposium held in Marmara University (Turkish). Birgün, 9. Bakırcı, C.M. (2013, May 8). Criticism for the symposium held in Marmara University (Turkish). Evrensel, 4.
Scholarships, Awards & Supports Texas Tech University Whitacre School of Engineering Scholarship Dean s Honor List: 2007-2008 Fall, 2007-2008 Spring Supported by European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB) for activities in the area of Evolutionary Biology, especially for Turkey Meets Evolution events and EvrimAğacı.org website. Languages Turkish (Native) English (Advanced in writing and reading, fluent in speaking) German (Beginner) Computer Literacy MATLAB Solidworks Wolfram Mathematica MATHCAD Octave C, C++, C# CADKEY MS Office Applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) Internet Tools Undergraduate Level Technical Projects Spring 2013 Fall 2013 Spring 2012 Fall 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 2011 Spring 2011 Fall 2010 Summer 2010 Design of the Gearbox of a Tank Gun Turret / METU Design of an Automatic Table Tennis Ball Pitcher / METU Design of a Helicopter Blade & Power Transmission / METU ArmadilloBot Robot / METU Design of a Light Seeking Robot with Only 2 Servos / METU Fluctuating Asymmetry in Apis mellifera / METU Design of a Pump Jack / METU Design and Production of an Electronic Door Lock / METU Design and Production of a Water Strider Robot / CMU
Club & Association Memberships TTU Graduate Student Advisory Council METU Mechanical Engineers and Innovative Students Club (Founder, Board Chairman in 2009, 2010 and 2011, Head of Supervisory Board in 2012) METU Biology and Genetics Society (member since 2010, ) The Tree of Evolution Club (Founder, Board Chairman and Instructor since 2010, up to date) American Society of Mechanical Engineers (student member since 2009) Events Organized A Modern Look to Science in Turkey (March 2014*) 1, 4 1st METU Neuroscience Days (16-17 February 2013) 1, 4 7th National Evolutionary Biology Conference (29-30 September 2012) 1 Tree of Evolution Weekly Instructive Meetings (2010-Present) 1, 3 6th National Evolutionary Biology Conference (3-4 December 2011) 1 Nuclear Energy Forum (12 May 2011) 2 Ankara Wind Tunnel Technical Trip (18 March 2011) 2 5th National Evolutionary Biology Conference (7 November 2011) 1 CFD Design Education with Certification (25 Hours, November 2010) 2 1 st METU Mechanical Engineering Days (8-10 October 2010) 2 Biomechanics Seminar (2 October 2010) 2 ProEngineer Education with Certification (November 2010, 20 Hours) 2 Solidworks Education with Certification (April 2010, 25 Hours) 2 University-Industry Cooperation National Student Platform (3-5 February 2010) 2 1 Organized as being the Tree of Evolution Group General Coordinator of METU Biology and Genetics Society 2 Organized as being the Administrative Board President of METU Mechanical Engineers and Innovative Students Society 3 Gave weekly lectures of length 2 hours to a class of 20 students for 2.5 years, on Evolutionary Biology, Neuroscience and Ecology. 4 Organized as being the Supervisory Board Chairman of METU Biology and Genetics Society. * In progress. Lectures, Speeches & Presentations METU Summer Camp Student Panel (METU, 28 June 2014) METU Summer Camp Student Panel (METU, 28 June 2013) Turkey Meets Evolution Events - Ankara (Hacettepe University, 9-10 March 2013, lecture on subjects: Mechanisms of Evolution and Evolution 101 Basic Misunderstandings and Facts )
Turkey Meets Evolution Events Izmir (9 Eylul University & Ege University, 28 February 1 March 2013, lecture on subjects: Mechanisms of Evolution and Evolution 101 Basic Misunderstandings and Facts ) Turkey Meets Evolution Events Istanbul (Istanbul Technical University, 20 October 2012, lecture on subjects: Mechanisms of Evolution and Mechanisms of Speciation ) 7th National Evolutionary Biology Conference (Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 30 September 2012, lecture on the subject: How Evolutionary Biology Affects Our Technology: Cybernetics and Evolutionary Robotics ) 2nd National Evolutionary Biology Student Congress (Hacettepe University, Ankara, 27 April 2012, poster presentation on the subject: Biomechanical Analysis of Bipedalism and Its Effects On Hominid Brain Evolution ) Çağrıbey High School Evolutionary Biology Education Seminars (İzmir, 18 April 2012, lecture on the subject: Evolutionary Biology and Basic Mechanisms ) Turkey Meets Evolution Events - Izmir (11 February 2012, lecture on the subject: Neurobiology, Ethology and Their Relation to Engineering ) Turkey Meets Evolution Events - Izmir (10 February 2012, lecture on the subject: Evolutionary Biology and Basic Mechanisms ) Atatürk High School Evolutionary Biology Education Seminars (İzmir, 9 February 2012, lecture on the subject: Evolutionary Biology and Basic Mechanisms ) Bornova Anatolian High School Evolutionary Biology Education Seminars (İzmir, 8 February 2012, lecture on the subject: Evolutionary Biology and Basic Mechanisms ) Karşıyaka Anatolian High School Evolutionary Biology Education Seminars (İzmir, 7 February 2012, lecture on the subject: Evolutionary Biology and Basic Mechanisms ) Hacettepe University Medical School (Ankara, 11 January 2012, lecture on the subject: Robotic Brain: A Multi-aspect Inspection on Animal Behaviors and Evolution of the Brain ) 3 rd Evolution, Science and Education Symposium (İstanbul, 17-18 December 2011, poster presentation on the subject: The Importance of the Comprehension of Evolutionary Biology and Ethology in the Future of the Engineering ) 6th International Evolutionary Biology Conference (Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 4 December 2011, poster presentation on the subject: The Importance of the Comprehension of Evolutionary Biology and Ethology in the Future of the Engineering ) İzmir Milli Piyango Anatolian High School Evolutionary Biology Education Seminars (İzmir, 17 November 2011, 6 hours, as a speaker/lecturer) Certificates Certificate of Lifeguarding (Kalahari Resort Hotel & Waterpark / USA) Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases Education Certificate (KIT Engineering) Team working Certificate (AR-GE Consulting) Project Management Certificate (AND Project Management and Consulting Company) ASME Student Membership Certificate (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Proengineer Seminar and Education Attendance Certificate (Informatik Computational Systems Company)
Interests & Hobbies Biorobotics & Biomechanics Biomimicry Evolutionary Biology Animal Behavior (Ethology) and Neuroethology Neuroscience Neural Networks Artificial Intelligence Quantum Mechanics Debating Writing articles and novels (writing since 2001, over 400 articles on the web, 10+ unpublished scientific novels) Horseback Riding Blogging Playing drums Reading scientific essays/articles, books Field Trips and Trekking References Prof. Dr. Kahraman Albayrak (Academic Advisor, METU Mechanical Engineering Prof. Dr. Engin Kılıç (Academic Advisor, METU Mechanical Engineering Prof. Dr. Metin Sıttı (Internship Supervisor, Carnegie Mellon University Mechanical Engineering Prof. Dr. Aykut Kence (Project Supervisor, METU Biology Prof. Dr. Eva Jablonka (Event Supervisor, Tel Aviv University Cohn Institute for the History of Philosophy of Science and Ideas) Prof. Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer (Event Supervisor, Oxford University Institute of Cognitive & Evolutionary Anthropology) Prof. Dr. Kenneth Miller (Event Supervisor, Brown University Biology Assoc. Prof. Torben Anker Lenau (Internship Supervisor, Denmark Technical University Mechanical Engineering Assoc. Prof. Martin Hanczyc (Event Supervisor, University of Southern Denmark Institute of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy) Assoc. Prof. Ewa Jakubowska Doğru (Project Supervisor, METU Biology Assoc. Prof. Meral Kence (Project Supervisor, METU Biology Assoc. Prof. Ergi Deniz Özsoy (Event Supervisor, Hacettepe University Biology Asst. Prof. Ergin Tönük (Project Supervisor, METU Mechanical Engineering Asst. Prof. Ahmet Buğra Koku (Project Supervisor, METU Mechanical Engineering Information about references available upon request.