What is your academic background?

I had a formal bachelor’s education in pharmacy and did my master’s in Pharmacognosy, both at Anadolu University in Turkey. I received my Ph.D. from Philipps Universität Marburg in Germany at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. My research was focused on discovering biological activities, such as antimicrobial and anticancer, of compounds obtained from plants and microorganisms and their chemical analysis using various chromatographic and spectroscopic equipment and methods.

Why did you choose UFAZ?

UFAZ was established here in Baku under the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU) and the University of Strasbourg (Unistra).

Unistra is a world-renowned university with strong educational and research programs. The university has 4 Nobel Prizes from the Department of Chemistry still in activity…it tells a lot about the supporting environment and conditions created to develop Research and innovation.

As a matter of fact, high standards present at the university can’t be achieved without innovation. It’s important to work in the environment in which a worker and the workplace are mutually beneficial and contribute to mutual development. From this perspective, UFAZ, thanks to its very tight connection with the University of Strasbourg, is a good fit for me and it is a great pleasure and honor to work here.

What initiatives would you like to bring up while teaching at UFAZ?

I would like to contribute to education as well as extracurricular activities at the university. It may be beneficial to start a Chemistry club, to help students to explore fun part of Chemistry as well as to try to unleash their passion for science doing basic Research projects.

What do you think are the trends in the market for the graduates of Chemical engineering?

Well, first, I would suggest to our students to be trendsetters rather than trend followers. Like Les Brown said: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars”. I compare Chemical engineers to Swiss army knives, as they are equipped with many essential skills. They may develop a certain one by doing a Master Degree in that area and become interdisciplinary specialists.

Now there are many areas in chemistry and engineering which didn’t exist 20-30 years ago. Students need to constantly search about innovative events and discoveries happening in their area of specialty and try to predict their impact power.

What are your favorite hobbies outside of Chemistry lectures?

My main hobby for the last years is Computer programming. I used to work as a computer programmer during my student years but eventually had to give it up to pursue my passion for Scientific Research in the field of Chemistry.

In addition, in any free time left I am trying to learn more about child psychology to be able to contribute to the development of my two children.