Assoc. Prof. Dr. Safiye Emirdag | Organic Chemistry – Assistant Professor at Ege University, Turkey
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Safiye Emirdağ is a highly accomplished researcher in the field of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, currently serving at Ege University. Her scientific journey is rooted in the synthesis and evaluation of bioactive natural product derivatives, with a focus on developing potential anticancer and antimicrobial agents. With a dynamic career spanning over two decades, she has combined deep theoretical knowledge with practical application to create impactful research that bridges chemistry and medicine. Her interdisciplinary approach, collaborative efforts, and intellectual contributions continue to push the boundaries of therapeutic molecule design.
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🎓 Education:
Dr. Emirdağ pursued her academic training entirely at Ege University, where she earned both her MSc and PhD in Chemistry, specializing in natural product synthesis. Following her doctoral work, she advanced her expertise through a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship in Green Chemistry at the University of Hohenheim, Germany. This international experience helped shape her environmentally conscious approach to chemical synthesis and expanded her scientific vision toward globally relevant applications.
💼 Experience:
Throughout her professional career, Dr. Emirdağ has held various academic and research roles within Ege University’s Department of Chemistry. From her early involvement in spectroscopic and phytochemical studies to her current leadership in semisynthetic derivative research, she has shown remarkable versatility and dedication. She served as principal investigator and co-investigator in multiple TÜBİTAK, BAP, and EBİLTEM-funded projects, collaborating with national and international institutions, including Kumamoto University in Japan. Her experience extends to reviewing for high-impact journals and evaluating projects for national funding agencies, underlining her scientific credibility and influence.
🔬 Research Interest:
Dr. Emirdağ’s primary research interests lie in Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry, and Medicinal Chemistry, with a niche specialization in the semi-synthesis of natural products such as gypsogenin and egonol. Her work aims to design and optimize hybrid molecules for anticancer and antimicrobial applications. She is deeply involved in structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies, enzyme-catalyzed reactions, and the use of spectroscopy (IR, NMR) for compound characterization. Recently, her focus has expanded to include computational tools such as ADME prediction and molecular docking, strengthening the translational aspect of her research.
🏆 Awards and Recognitions:
Dr. Emirdağ’s pioneering research has earned her recognition through national and international project leadership, including bilateral cooperation with Japanese institutions. Her scientific merit has been validated with two granted national patents and one international patent application currently under substantive review. She has contributed to the development of gypsogenin-based hybrid compounds with therapeutic potential and was selected as an evaluator for TÜBİTAK funding schemes—an acknowledgment of her subject-matter authority. Her achievements illustrate both innovation and dedication, qualifying her as a top contender for the Best Researcher Award.
📚 Selected Publications:
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🧪 “Synthesis and antibacterial activity of egonol derivatives” (2008, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry) – Cited by 50+ articles.
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🧬 “Synthesis, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of gypsogenin derivatives” (2014, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry) – Cited by 60+ studies in cancer research.
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⚗️ “Laccase-catalyzed reaction using air as an oxidant” (2013, Tetrahedron) – Pioneered green chemistry methods, cited in enzyme catalysis research.
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🧫 “Design, synthesis and activity evaluation of gypsogenin-based anticancer agents” (2019, Molecules) – Provided novel insights into ABL kinase inhibition, cited by 40+ articles.
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🧿 “EGFR-targeted triterpene analogues for glioma therapy” (2021, International Journal of Molecular Sciences) – Cited by researchers working on glioblastoma treatment.
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🧴 “Anti-neoplastic activity of gypsogenin derivatives” (2014, Bioorganic Chemistry) – Supported preclinical drug discovery pipelines.
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🧠 “Semisynthetic gypsogenin derivatives for leukemia” (2022, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules) – High citation rate due to promising bioactivity.
🔚 Conclusion:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Safiye Emirdağ stands as a leading figure in the intersection of natural product chemistry and therapeutic innovation. Her research consistently reflects scientific rigor, originality, and translational potential. The blend of synthetic strategy, bioactivity profiling, and interdisciplinary collaboration defines her impactful academic legacy. Her ability to secure patents, publish widely, and foster international ties positions her not just as a researcher, but as a scientific leader. For these reasons, Dr. Emirdağ is exceptionally well-qualified for the Best Researcher Award, and her continued contributions promise further advancements in drug discovery and organic chemistry.