Assist. Prof. Dr. İsa Avcı | Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), Fiber Optics | Best Researcher Award

Head of IT at Karabuk University, Turkey

Dr. İsa Avcı currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Engineering, Karabuk University, Turkey. With a strong background in cybersecurity, IoT, and artificial intelligence, he brings together academic rigor and practical insight from years of industry and academic involvement. He has contributed significantly to both teaching and applied research, actively supervising graduate theses and participating in national and international R&D projects. Known for his leadership in digital transformation and smart systems, Dr. Avcı has earned recognition in academic and professional circles alike for his innovation and dedication.

Profile

Scopus

ORCID

Education

Dr. Avcı’s academic journey is diverse and multidisciplinary, combining engineering and information technology. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa in 2021, where his doctoral thesis focused on developing a maturity model for cyber vulnerabilities in smart gas grids. Prior to that, he completed a master’s degree in Information Technologies from Sakarya University in 2011 and holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration from Anadolu University (2013) and Electrical-Electronics Engineering from Sakarya University (2007). His academic foundation is further supported by an associate degree in Electricity from Istanbul University (2003), equipping him with a broad skill set across engineering domains.

Experience

Dr. Avcı has over two decades of combined academic and industry experience. Academically, he began as a Lecturer at Istanbul University in 2010 and later joined Karabuk University in 2021 as an Assistant Professor. His roles extend beyond teaching; he has served as Director of the Research and Application Center, Head of the Technology Transfer Office, and Head of Commission at the Faculty of Engineering. Professionally, he held pivotal engineering roles at major Turkish institutions such as BELBİM, İGDAŞ, and THY AO, where he worked on SCADA, smart grid, ticketing, and data security systems. This blended experience bridges theoretical research with practical implementation.

Research Interest

Dr. Avcı’s research interests lie at the intersection of cybersecurity, smart systems, AI, and IoT. He is particularly focused on enhancing digital infrastructure through secure protocols, risk analysis frameworks, and intelligent automation. His contributions span a wide spectrum, including intrusion detection, ransomware and DDoS defense, blockchain-enabled IoT, and energy management in smart grids. His research not only addresses current digital threats but also anticipates emerging challenges in critical systems like transportation, health informatics, and industrial control. Through his work, Dr. Avcı contributes significantly to the development of resilient cyber-physical infrastructures.

Award

In recognition of his excellence, Dr. Avcı received a “Başarı Belgesi” (Certificate of Achievement) from Karabük University in 2023. This honor reflects his outstanding performance in academic service, research productivity, and project leadership. Furthermore, his roles as coordinator and principal investigator in funded national and international projects showcase his capacity to lead interdisciplinary research with impactful outcomes.

Selected Publications

1. Advanced Transmission Line Fault Protection Including the Voltage Sag (2025) – Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy – A novel solution to protect critical infrastructure from power disturbances.

2. Evaluation and Benchmarking of Cybersecurity DDoS Attacks Detection Models through FWZIC and MABAC (2025) – Computer Systems Science and Engineering – Cited for its robust comparative methodology in cybersecurity detection.

3. A Hierarchical Fault Protection Framework for Voltage Sag and Impedance Faults (2025) – Processes – Widely referenced for its layered approach to energy fault detection.

4. Energy Management in Microgrids Using Model-Free Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach (2025) – IEEE Access – Highly cited for introducing model-free optimization in smart energy grids.

5. Cybersecurity Defence Mechanism Against DDoS Attack with Explainability (2024) – Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity – Recognized for its application of explainable AI in cybersecurity.

6. Enhancing Network Security: A Comprehensive Analysis of Intrusion Detection Systems (2024) – Yüzüncü Yıl University Journal of Science – Frequently cited in academic and industrial security studies.

7. Optimization Planning Techniques with Meta-Heuristic Algorithms in IoT (2024) – Sakarya University Journal of Computer and Information Sciences – Valued for its real-time implementation models in industrial IoT.

Conclusion

Dr. İsa Avcı exemplifies the qualities of an innovative academic and a seasoned engineer. His multidisciplinary education, complemented by extensive industry practice, underpins a research agenda that addresses real-world challenges in cybersecurity, smart infrastructure, and digital systems. His publication record, leadership in funded projects, and dedication to mentoring graduate students contribute to his impactful presence in the field of computer engineering. Given his proven excellence in research, innovation, and academic service, Dr. Avcı is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, standing out as a thought leader shaping the future of intelligent and secure systems.