Category: Award Category

Asst. Prof Fatma Akalın: Assistant Professor at Sakarya University, Turkey

Fatma Akalın is an accomplished Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Sakarya University, specializing in the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and biomedical engineering. Her research is driven by a deep interest in applying AI algorithms to solve complex challenges in healthcare, particularly for disease diagnosis and personalized medicine. With expertise in data science, bioinformatics, and medical imaging, she has made significant strides in automating processes such as genomic sequence classification, anomaly detection in blood cell images, and the development of AI-driven decision support systems. Dr. Akalın’s commitment to advancing research in healthcare technology positions her as a thought leader in both academic and applied AI communities.

Online Profiles

Google Scholar Profile

Citations, h-index, i10-index

• Citations: Dr. Akalın’s research has accumulated a total of 66 citations across various academic publications, with 61 citations in the last 5 years, reflecting the growing influence and relevance of her work in the field.

• h-index: With an h-index of 5, Dr. Akalın has made significant contributions, with at least 5 of her publications being cited at least 5 times each. This indicates a solid body of impactful research in her areas of expertise.

• i10-index: Dr. Akalın holds an i10-index of 1, meaning she has one publication that has been cited 10 times or more, further highlighting the recognition her work has received in the academic community

Dr. Akalın maintains an active and influential presence across multiple online academic platforms. Her publications are widely cited in leading international journals, and she regularly contributes to conferences in fields such as AI, bioinformatics, and computational biology. As an Assistant Editor for Sakarya University Journal of Computer and Information Sciences (SAUCIS), she has an integral role in shaping the research landscape at the university. Her collaborative projects include contributions to national research initiatives that address pressing public health concerns through the use of AI technologies. She has also developed various web-based applications aimed at enhancing healthcare outcomes, integrating both AI and clinical expertise to create innovative solutions for real-world health issues.

Education

Dr. Akalın completed her Doctoral Degree in Computer Engineering at Sakarya University in 2023, where she focused on leveraging AI algorithms for the classification of leukemia subtypes using digital mapping of DNA sequences. Her thesis, titled “Classification of Leukemia Types Using AI-Based Algorithms on DNA Sequences via Digital Mapping Techniques,” reflected her strong commitment to applying cutting-edge computational methods to solve biomedical challenges. She earned her Master’s Degree in 2020, with a thesis on the application of heuristic algorithms for detecting polyps in small intestine images. This work demonstrated her early engagement with AI in medical imaging. Her Bachelor’s Degree was also completed at Sakarya University in 2018, marking the beginning of her academic journey into computer engineering and AI.

Research Focus

Dr. Akalın’s research is deeply rooted in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and bioinformatics. Her primary focus is the integration of AI into healthcare systems, specifically in disease detection and diagnostic applications. She has worked extensively on the classification of genetic sequences, including the use of AI algorithms for identifying and predicting leukemia and other cancers. Additionally, her work includes the development of advanced diagnostic systems based on digital imaging, such as detecting anomalies in medical images like blood cell smears and endoscopic images. In recent years, she has also delved into synthetic data generation for model training, optimizing machine learning algorithms for better clinical decision-making, and exploring data-driven AI models that can adapt to the complexities of real-world clinical environments.

Experience

Dr. Akalın has held the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Sakarya University since September 2023, where she teaches courses in artificial intelligence, web technologies, and data structures. Prior to this role, she served as a Research Assistant at the same department from 2020 to 2023, contributing to numerous research projects, guiding graduate students, and publishing in top-tier journals. During her academic career, she has mentored students on master’s theses and helped develop cutting-edge research in fields such as medical diagnostics, deep learning, and artificial intelligence. Her diverse experience spans both academic and research settings, where she has also collaborated on national-level projects related to AI-based healthcare solutions.

Research Timeline

• 2025: Dr. Akalın is currently leading a project on the development of an AI-powered decision support chatbot aimed at optimizing sales processes within ERP systems. Additionally, she is working on a real-time system for detecting and counting blast cells in leukemia diagnosis using advanced deep learning methods.

• 2024: She is working on the development of a web-based AI system that utilizes hybrid data sets to aid in the diagnosis of monkeypox. Additionally, she is exploring the use of AI to assess cardiac risks in adolescents based on EKG images as part of a national TUBITAK-funded project.

• 2023: Dr. Akalın has initiated a project focused on developing AI-enhanced virtual reality simulations for secondary education, along with another project to build a web-based system to promote sustainable production and consumption in Turkey.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Akalın has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to scientific research, particularly in the application of artificial intelligence to healthcare. She was awarded the 10th İksad Scientific Award in 2019, a prestigious recognition in the field of applied science. She continues to receive recognition for her innovative research on medical diagnostics, and her work has been acknowledged by leading research institutes and journals. Her ability to bridge the gap between AI theory and practical healthcare applications has made her a sought-after researcher and collaborator in both academic and industrial circles.

Top-Noted Publication

• “Deep Learning-Based Community Classifier Approach for Gastrointestinal Anomaly Detection,” published in Pamukkale University Engineering Journal, 2024, discusses the application of deep learning methods for gastrointestinal anomaly detection, contributing to the growing body of knowledge on AI in medical diagnostics.

• “Classification of Exon and Intron Regions on DNA Sequences Using SBERT and ANFIS,” published in Journal of Polytechnic, 2024, presents a hybrid approach combining SBERT and ANFIS for DNA sequence classification, a significant advancement in genomic data analysis.

• “Neural Network-Based Survival Classification in Heart Failure Patients,” published in Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 2024, focuses on using neural networks for predicting the survival outcomes of heart failure patients, applying AI to improve personalized treatment strategies.

• “DNA Genomic Sequence Classification with Digital Signal Processing and EfficientNetB7,” published in Gazi University Journal, 2022, investigates the classification of DNA sequences using deep learning models, contributing to advancements in genomic medicine.

Dr. Akalın’s work continues to push the boundaries of AI in healthcare, and her publications are widely regarded as some of the most significant contributions to the field in recent years.