Lecturer at Dokuz Eylul University, Turkey
Dr. Dudu Mertgenç Yoldaş is a dedicated and innovative academic affiliated with the Department of Mechanical and Metal Technologies at Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir, Turkey. With a deep-rooted commitment to composite material research and mechanical engineering applications, she has significantly contributed to the understanding of adhesion and interface behavior in advanced polymer composites. Her academic pursuits and research endeavors reflect a passion for practical and impactful solutions, especially in maritime and energy sectors, such as wind turbines and marine vehicles. As a science committee member of the prestigious 8th International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Applied Composite Materials, she continues to serve the academic community with distinction.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Mertgenç Yoldaş has pursued a thorough and progressive educational journey in mechanical engineering. She earned her undergraduate degree from Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University in 2007, building a solid foundation in mechanical engineering principles. She further advanced her studies with a postgraduate degree from Afyon Kocatepe University in 2009. Her academic trajectory culminated with a PhD from Marmara University, where she specialized in Mechanical Engineering, completing her doctorate in 2024. Her doctoral work has greatly informed her subsequent research in composite materials and mechanical testing.
Experience
With over a decade of academic and research experience, Dr. Mertgenç Yoldaş has carved a niche in mechanical and composite material engineering. She currently holds a lecturer position at Dokuz Eylul University, where she imparts knowledge while actively engaging in high-impact research. Her collaborative projects with national and international researchers, and her roles in various conference committees, highlight her professional influence. In addition to her teaching and research, she has participated in several prestigious conferences and symposia, including the 13th International Congress on Engineering and Technology Management and the 4th International Congress on Advanced Manufacturing Technologies.
Research Interests
Dr. Mertgenç Yoldaş’s research interests revolve around the mechanical behavior, durability, and failure mechanisms of polymer composites, particularly in challenging environments such as maritime and energy applications. She focuses on adhesive bonding techniques, diffusion-related interface degradation, and mechanical characterization methods such as axial impact, four-point, and three-point bending tests. Her investigations delve into the interface damages induced by diffusion processes and the comparative analysis of fiber-reinforced polymer composites under environmental stressors, which are pivotal in the design of high-performance structural materials.
Awards and Recognition
Her academic rigor and research productivity have earned her several accolades, including a respected role in the scientific committee of an international composite materials conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her selection as a committee member is a testament to her growing reputation in the global research community. Furthermore, her extensive publication in SCI-Expanded indexed journals and collaborative work with cross-disciplinary teams underscore her recognized contributions to the field.
Publications
Dr. Mertgenç Yoldaş has authored several impactful publications in SCI-indexed journals. Notably, her 2025 article in MDPI-POLYMERS, co-authored with Yoldaş M. F., compared mechanical characterizations of adhesive bond damage in carbon and glass fiber composites, often cited in structural applications. Her study titled Investigation of Diffusion Induced Fiber–Matrix Interface Damages in Adhesively Bonded Polymer Composites, published in Polymers (2025), has drawn attention for its insights into degradation mechanisms. In Journal of Composites Science (2025), she contributed two seminal articles exploring axial impact damage and seawater exposure effects. She co-authored a study in Advances in Mechanical Engineering (2025) examining single lap joints in maritime conditions. Additionally, her interdisciplinary research extended to Life-Basel (2025) on cranial joint variation in reptiles, and a comparative marine study in Sustainability (Switzerland) (2024). These publications have been widely cited in composite engineering and materials science literature, highlighting her growing scholarly influence.
Conclusion
Dr. Dudu Mertgenç Yoldaş exemplifies academic excellence, research innovation, and collaborative leadership in the field of mechanical engineering. Her educational background, rigorous research on polymer composite behavior, and numerous high-quality publications affirm her standing as a leading researcher. Through her roles in international scientific organizations, dedication to teaching, and forward-looking studies, she consistently demonstrates a commitment to solving real-world challenges in material science and engineering. Dr. Mertgenç Yoldaş’s multifaceted contributions make her a deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award, recognizing not only her technical acumen but also her enduring impact on the scientific and engineering communities.