Reda Alhajj (Senior Member, IEEE) is currently a professor with the Department of Computer Science, University of Calgary, Canada. He is also affiliated with the Department of Computer Engineering, Istanbul Medipol University, Turkey, and the Department of Health Informatics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense. His research interests include data science and network science from management to integration and analysis. His current research interests include data management, analysis, and mining; social media and network analysis; systems and computational biology, bioinformatics, and health informatics; homeland security, terror, and criminal networks. He also leads a large research group of Ph.D. and M.Sc. candidates. He received the best graduate supervision award and community service award at the University of Calgary. He is also a founding Editor-in-Chief of the Springer premier journal Social Networks Analysis and Mining, Springer Series Lecture Notes on Social Networks, Springer journal Network Modeling Analysis in Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, and Springer Encyclopedia on Social Networks Analysis and Mining; and a founding steering chair of the flagship conference “IEEE/ACM International Conference on Advances in Social Network Analysis and Mining”, with three accompanying symposiums, FAB, FOSINT-SI, and HI-BI-BI. He has been a guest editor of a number of Special Issues and edited a number of conference proceedings.

Mohanad Alayedi (Member, IEEE). Alayedi received a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication and a Master’s degree in Telecommunication Systems from Dr. Tahar Moulay University of Saida, Algeria, in 2016 and 2018, respectively, and a PhD degree in Telecommunication Systems from Ferhat Abbas University of Setif 1 in 2022. In September 2022, he joined the Communication, Signal Processing, and Networking Center (CoSiNC) at Istanbul Medipol University as a research assistant. In addition, he worked as a Lab instructor. In May 2024, he joined Haliç University as an assistant professor in the Department of Software Engineering. He has participated in and attended several international conferences in Algeria, Morocco, KSA, and Turkey, where he was awarded the best paper presentation at ICACTCE’21 in Morocco. In addition, he has published many high-quality scientific research papers in high-quality technical international journals in the field of optical communication networks. His research interests include wireless communication systems, waveform design, optical networks, machine learning, and cybersecurity.

Dr. Ahmad M. Jaradat

Resaerch Interesets: Wireless Communications, 6G Networks, Cyber Security, Machine Learning

Dr. Arzu KİLİTCİ CALAYIR is a technologist and social entrepreneur whose journey in technology began in high school with a focus on computer software. Since then, she has taken on diverse roles across the technology landscape, driven by a passion for creating value through technology and sharing knowledge.

Motivated by a deep curiosity about how emerging technologies can be used for meaningful impact, she actively bridges learning and teaching, aiming to inspire future generations through leadership and positive role modeling. She strongly believes in the power of technology for social good and its potential to generate significant social and economic benefits.

As a technology enthusiast and visionary social entrepreneur, Dr. Kilitci Calayır works to create social impact through the enabling power of technology. She is deeply committed to strengthening the connection between learning and teaching and believes in the transformative value of sharing knowledge and experience to build a better world.

Resaerch Interesets: Network Systems, Cyber Security, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Psychologist

Dr. Habeeb Mousa

Research Interests: Fabrication and characterization of phase-change memory devices

Eng. Omar Efeoğlu

Resaerch Interesets: Robotics, Integrated Circuits, Analog Circuit Design, PCB, Embedded Systems

A multidisciplinary EE engineer and researcher working at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and real-world systems, with a background that blends technical depth, applied research, and international business development.

Resaerch Interesets: Cyber Physical Systems and Security

Yasamin Akrami is a Data Scientist and AI Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Engineer with a specialized focus on the convergence of Artificial Intelligence. She currently serves as an AI RDI Engineer at XtremeLab.Co and a Graduate Researcher at the Intelligent Secure Technology Research Lab. Her work integrates advanced machine learning and Generative AI techniques to develop intelligent, scalable, and proactive defense mechanisms for modern digital infrastructures. Her specific research interests include AI-driven vulnerability detection, automated mitigation, predictive threat modeling, and the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) for security analysis.
Currently pursuing her M.Sc. degree at the Istanbul Medipol University, she has already made significant contributions to the field, including applying for 3+ international patents, 2+ international journal article, 2+ conference papers and her innovative approach led a project to be awarded as one of the Top 10 Projects by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO).

Research Interest: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Vulnerability Management, AI

George Francis is an Iraqi researcher and software engineering, interested in the fields of Cybersecurity, IoT, AI, and Machine learning, cyberpsychology. He finished his bachelor’s degree in software engineering at Haliç University, and is currently a master’s student and teaching assistant of computer engineering at Medipol University, and a researcher associated with ISTRL, Turkey. Georg is deeply passionate about emerging technologies in his forementioned interests. His current academic research focus on Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and cyberpsychology. He aims to pursue PhD abroad later to further explore the intersection of intelligent systems with psychology. Georg is a native Arabic speaker and has a C1 level of English. He is an active participated in campus and has led voluntary works.

Research Interest: Internet of Things, cyberpsychology, cybersecurity, Machine Learning.

I am a second-year Computer Engineering student at Istanbul Medipol University. I have a strong interest in Large Language Models and autonomous systems. Currently, I am working as a researcher on a TUBITAK project focused on LLM agents.

Research interests: Artificial Intelligence, LLM, Agent, Machine Learning

Ruslan Rozymuradov is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Istanbul Medipol University. He actively integrates his theoretical knowledge with real-world application by serving as a Cyber RDI Engineer at Xtremelab.Co.
His core interest is concentrated on applied cybersecurity research, particularly in the realm of Ethical Hacking and penetration testing principles. He has built a strong technical foundation through comprehensive coursework and dedicated self-study, including training in core areas such as Network Essentials, Linux Fundamentals, Cyber Security Fundamentals, and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).

Research interests: OSINT, Penetration, Reconnaissance, Cybersecurity

Melisa Sarıtas ̧ is pursuing the M.Sc. degree in Computer Engineering at Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkiye, where her research concentrates on cybersecurity and secure software development practices. She completed the B.Sc. degree in Computer Engineering at the same institution in 2025. She works as a Cyber RDI Engineer at XtremeLab.Co and conducts applied cybersecurity research with the Intelligent Secure Technology Research Lab (ISTRL). Her academic interests encompass vulnerability analysis and prediction, automated security management, security automation frameworks, machine learning techniques in cybersecurity, and DevSecOps approaches for designing resilient and adaptive systems. Her ongoing work explores the integration of advanced cybersecurity engineering methodologies and intelligent automation into the software development lifecycle to strengthen proactive defense capabilities.

Research Interest: Cybersecurity, DevSecOps, AI, Vulnerability Management

Hamza Benmiloud is pursuing the B.Sc. degree in Computer Engineering at Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Türkiye. His primary research interests lie in OSINT methodologies, drone intelligence, and applied security analytics. He is an active researcher with the Intelligent Secure Technology Research Lab (ISTRL), where he contributes to projects involving intelligence-driven system design, data collection frameworks, and autonomous situational awareness technologies. In addition to his research work, he has experience in full-stack and mobile development, with complementary exposure to DevOps practices, cloud environments, and project-level computer vision applications. His ongoing academic and technical development includes work across cybersecurity and intelligent automation, with a focus on integrating practical engineering approaches into modern intelligence and defense-related systems.

Research interest: OSINT, Drone, Cybersecurity, Computer Vision

Setayesh Akrami is a bachelor’s student in Managment Information Systems. Her interests include website design, 3D design and printing.

Research Interest: Cybersecurity, SEO, 3d Print, Management

Before cybersecurity, I spent a long time developing games with C++, which increased my mastery of software. After that, I worked in various areas of cybersecurity, primarily web security and pentesting, followed by SOC, and gained experience in different areas of cybersecurity and saw the structure of a corporate company. During my studies, I completed a thesis project on metamorphic malware, which explored how antivirus (AV) systems operate and how fundamental signature-based approaches could be exploited to enable malware infiltration. This project yielded significant progress in this area. During this process, I am attempting to build a prototype of a corporate company network using open-source tools such as Active Directory, Wazuh, OPNSense, and virtual machines.

Research interests: SOC Analyst, Network Security, System Administration, Linux

Senanur Demirci is a Computer Engineer with experience in open-source intelligence (OSINT), cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and backend development. She has contributed to OSINT-based data collection pipelines, phishing detection systems, email security workflows, and DNS/IP intelligence through roles at XtremeLab.Co, ArgusAegis, and Diatics/PhishUp. Her work includes building automation processes, developing backend components for security applications, and designing tools that support threat analysis and monitoring. She has also participated in TÜBİTAK-funded research, developing an OSINT-driven digital footprint mapping framework (2209-A) and contributing to anomaly detection modeling for financial data as part of a TÜBİTAK 1001 project. In addition, she has submitted two international patent applications focused on OSINT components and secure content scanning mechanisms.

Her research interests include OSINT methodologies, security automation, threat intelligence workflows, email sender authentication (SPF/DMARC), DNS/IP-based security analysis, and backend infrastructures for security applications. She approaches engineering and research with an emphasis on reliability, practical impact, and the development of tools that enhance digital investigation and defensive capabilities.

Research interest: Cyber Security, OSINT, CTI, Backend Web Development

Yahya is a second year Computer Engineering student at Istanbul Medipol University. He is currently building his academic foundation in computer science, with a drive to understand the deeper, technical layers of how computing systems operate.

His primary interests lie in low-level, cybersecurity and systems architecture. rather than focusing solely on high-level application development, spends his time exploring Linux environments and studying networking logic to better understand the interaction between hardware and software.

Looking toward the future, has a strong interest in Rust and modern memory safety paradigms. He is actively working to expand his skills in this area, with the goal of eventually applying these modern tools to solve fundamental problems in system security and performance.

Research interests: Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Risk Management, Data Analysis

Gülsüm is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Istanbul Medipol University, focusing her studies on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. She is particularly interested in modern security challenges and the role of intelligent systems in shaping the future of digital safety. Her goal is to develop a deep understanding of attack techniques and adversarial methods in order to approach defense with greater insight. Through both her academic work and continuous self-learning, she aims to build strong technical and analytical skills that will enable her to contribute to innovative and secure technological solutions.

Research interests: Cybersecurity, AI, Pen-testing, Social Engineering

Uğur Efe Sınmaz is a student of Computer Engineering and Artificial Intelligence Engineering at Istanbul Medipol University. He has begun conducting research in the fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. He aims to continuously develop himself, particularly in secure systems, intelligent algorithms, and next-generation technologies.

Research Interest: Cybersecurity, AI, Reinforcement Learning, Machine Learning

Wail Zita is a Software Engineer and current Master’s student in Computer Engineering at Istanbul Medipol University, Turkey. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering from Haliç University, where he built a solid foundation in software development, data analysis, and machine learning through academic coursework and applied research projects which still countribute in. Wail is actively involved in advanced research at the intersection of software engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, with published works and ongoing projects in biometric cryptosystems, IoT security frameworks, and federated learning systems and also in quantum-enhanced cybersecurity and communication systems.

Research Interest: Machine learning, Quantum, Cybersecurity, Computer science

Yusuf Tahir Kaya is a second-year Computer Engineering student at Istanbul Medipol University. Interested in the field of cybersecurity, Yusuf combines his analytical thinking ability with his strong background in mathematics and physics, making him an engineering candidate capable of producing effective solutions to technical problems.

In addition to his academic education, he continually improves himself through project and competition experiences. In 2025, he applied to the TÜBİTAK 2209-A program with an OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence)–based project, and he has taken active roles in UAV technologies and intelligence analysis by applying to the Teknofest UCAV category both this year and last year as a member of the Medipol UAV team.

Aiming to specialize further in cybersecurity, Yusuf plans to work as a competent expert in the field in the future, contributing to both technical and analysis-oriented projects.

Research interests: Cybersecurity, OSINT, Data Analysis, Threat Intelligence

I am a third-year Computer Engineering student with a growing track record in software development, cybersecurity, and applied research. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve actively explored different areas of technology from frontend development and mobile app development to embedded systems, machine learning based projects, and cybersecurity simulations.

I’ve developed projects in multiple programming languages, including Python, Java, C, and JavaScript, and I’ve contributed to both academic and practical initiatives. Some of my notable work includes building an e-commerce console app, a New Year navigator, and a fighting game in Python; creating a task scheduler with recurring reminders in Java; and implementing a PGM image analyzer in C. Earlier in my studies, I also worked on an autonomous car prototype using Arduino Uno, integrating sensors and wireless sign detection.

Alongside development, I’m engaged in cybersecurity research and training. I co-authored a conference paper on reverse shell simulation attacks and serve as a vice president of the NetVanguard cybersecurity club, where I support technical activities and training. I have also delivered React JS workshops under xtremelab.co, sharing foundational frontend concepts with students and developers.

Recently, I’ve taken on full-stack mobile app development responsibilities as a research and teaching assistant, marking my first large-scale experience handling both frontend and backend components. I continue to build my skills through hands-on projects, technical events, and collaborative academic work.

I enjoy taking on challenges that push me to learn new technologies, think creatively, and contribute to impactful solutions.

Research interests: AI, Cybersecurity, Website, Database

I’m İpek Korkmaz. I am a second-year Computer Engineering student at Istinye University. I enjoy improving myself in technology and software, and I aim to gain experience by taking part in various projects.

Research Interests: Social Media, Cyber Security, Python, AI