Professional Service

  • Role: Handling Editor. Entity: Ecography Editorial Board. 2014 - present
  • Role: Handling Editor. Entity: Conservation Biology Editorial Board. 2012 - present
  • Role: Editor. Entity: Environmental Evidence Editorial Board. 2011 - present
  • Role: Editor. Entity: Biological Conservation - Journal Editorial board. 2010 - 2019
  • Role: Editor. Entity: Tropical Conservation Science Editorial board. 2009 - present
  • Role: Editor. Entity: Biotropica - Journal Editorial board. 2009 - 2013
  • Role: Editor. Entity: Endangered Species Research Editorial board. 2008 - present
  • Role: Editor. Entity: Avian Conservation and Ecology - Journal Editorial board. 2008 - present
  • Role: Editor. Entity: Hacettepe Journal of Biology and Chemistry Editorial board. 2007 - present
  • Role: Editor. Entity: Open Journal of Ornithology Editorial board. 2007 - 2010
  • Role: Member. Entity: Alliance of Leading Environmental Researchers and Thinkers ALERT Member. 2013 - present
  • Role: Membership Chair. Entity: Society for Conservation Biology European Section, Board of Directors. 2004 - 2007
  • Role: Anthropology And Biology Editor. Entity: Harvard Journal of Undergraduate Sciences Editorial board. 1995 - 1997
  • Role: Handling Editor. Entity: Frontiers in Conservation and Restoration Ecology Editorial board member. 2021 - present
  • Role: Handling Editor. Entity: Frontiers in Ecology and Environment Editorial board member. 2019 - present
  • Role: Handling Editor. Entity: Turkish Journal of Zoology Editorial board member. 2016 - present
  • Role: Handling Editor. Entity: Zoology in the Middle East Editorial board member. 2013 - present
  • Role: Handling Editor. Entity: Zoology in the Middle East Editorial board member. 2013 - present
  • Role: Handling Editor. Entity: Zoology in the Middle East Editorial board member. 2013 - present
  • Environmental education of local youth and students on birds and bird conservation. 2006 - present
  • Environmental education of local youth and students on biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration and community-based ecotourism. 2004 - present
  • Community-based conservation in eastern Turkey. 2004 - present
  • Environmental education of local youth and students on birds and bird conservation. 1999 - present

Internal Service

  • SBS Seminar Committee. Member, 2021 - present. service.
  • Alumni Relations and Development Committee. Member, 2020 - present. service.
  • Undergraduate Scholarship, Engagement and Research Committee. Member, 2019 - 2021. service.
  • Honors Committee. 2017 - 2018. service.
  • Red Butte Canyon. 2016 - 2019. service.

Honors & Awards

  • https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/3. Most cited scientist in Turkey in biology, ecology and ornithology., 2021
  • College of Science Award for Fostering Undergraduate Research Excellence. University of Utah, 2021
  • Creative 50 Award (one of three scientists to receive it). Media magazine of Turkey , 2021
  • TFSF Award for Conservation Photography. Turkey Photography Artists Association, 2021
  • Award for Best Environmental Documentary. Turkey Ministry of Forestry, 2021
  • Most cited scientist in Turkey in biology, ecology and ornithology. https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3000918. 2020
  • Elected Fellow. American Ornithological Society, 2018
  • Career & Professional Development Center, Faculty Recognition Award. 2018
  • Rolex Awards for Enterprise finalist (18 out of 2322 applicants). 2016
  • Ashoka Fellow for the Environment. 2015
  • Sabancı Foundation Turkey’s Changemaker for conservation (www.farkyaratanlar.org). 2015
  • TUBITAK Special Science Award (Turkey’s highest scientific honor, given by the president). 2014
  • University of Utah Inaugural Citizen Science Award. 2014
  • Whitley Fund 20th Anniversary Special Gold Award (first double Gold Award winner). 2013
  • National Geographic Society Risk Taker. National Geographic Society, 2013
  • Goldman Environmental Prize finalist. 2013
  • Inaugural Wetland Science Award given by the Government of Turkey. 2013
  • International Conservation Leadership Award for Wetland Conservation in Turkey. 2013
  • Çevre College Yeşil Küre award (Green Globe Award for Environment), Turkey. 2012
  • Star Turk award, Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA). Assembly of Turkish American Association, 2012
  • National Geographic Society Emerging Explorer. National Geographic Society, 2011
  • Turkey Wetland Council Wetland Conservationist Award – Individual. 2011
  • Turkey Wetland Council Wetland Conservationist Award – Organization (KuzeyDoğa). 2011
  • Elected one of the “100 Hopes for the Future of Turkey” by Newsweek Türkiye. Newsweek Türkiye, 2010
  • Invited to Princess Anne’s (UK) 60th birthday for achievements in conservation biology. 2010
  • Elected Turkey’s “Scientist of the Year” by MSNBC NTVBLM science magazine. 2010
  • Essential Science Indicators most-cited 1% in Ecology/Environment in the past decade - 2010-present. 2010
  • Elected Fellow International of the Explorers Club. 2009
  • Official commendation for nature conservation by Abdullah Gül, the President of Turkey. 2008
  • Whitley Gold Award for wetland conservation and ecological research in Kars, Turkey. 2008
  • Selected for inclusion in Who's Who in Science and Engineering. 2007
  • Junior Chamber International of Turkey award for environmental and moral leadership. 2003
  • Elected one of the top 100 academics of Turkey by Aktüel news magazine. Aktüel, 2001
  • Summa cum laude for Harvard University honors thesis. 1997
  • Turkish government scientific achievement award. 1993
  • Silver medal in the fourth International Biology Olympics, Utrecht. 1993

In the Media