Mehmet Göktürk

18.07.25

About

Dr. Mehmet Göktürk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Gebze Technical University, where he has served since 2000. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction from The George Washington University in 2000, after completing his M.Sc. in Computer Graphics at the same institution and a B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Boğaziçi University where he was placed among top rank as 28th in nationwide university exam of Turkey in 1986 amont 1.5 million participants.

Over the course of his academic career, Dr. Göktürk has held numerous leadership and collaborative roles. Started is career as research assistant at Boğaziçi University EE department, worked in foundation of SSM Lab (later known as BETA lab) under Professor Ömer Cerid's supervision, focusing on image processing software for defense projects on Apple computers. Then moved to United States and started his studies under supervision of Professor Hermann Helgert at GWU and worked in Virginia Campus Graphics Lab under supervision of James Hahn and also worked as campus tech support. Later moved to downtown campus as research associate founding the HCI lab with Professor John Sibert where he finished doctoral study on Input Devices and Fitts' Law.

He is currently the Head of the Institute of Information Technology at GTU, serves as a consultant to the Rectorate, and sits on the Board of Directors at GTU Technopark. He has also served as Head of the Office of Information Technology and as a board member at GOSB Technopark which was first technopark of Turkey as a result of collaboration between Stef Wertheimer and Suleyman Demirel and later Tayyip Erdoğan details here and here. His academic years were marked by a rich combination of research and instructional experience both in the U.S. and Turkey.

His research interests span human-computer interaction, usability, invisible computing, human perception, software quality, data visualization, and cognitive performance analysis especially through tools like eye-tracking. He has published extensively in international journals and conferences, and he has supervised more than 40 graduate theses, many of which explored advanced methods in usability testing, interactive systems, and AI-based user modeling.

Dr. Göktürk is actively engaged in national and international R&D initiatives, particularly through TEYDEB-funded projects of TUBITAK (Turkish National Science Organization). These include applications in AI-driven rehabilitation systems, autonomous mobility, stock market decision support, and proactive fraud detection in healthcare. His work integrates academic rigor with industrial relevance, often involving partnerships with R&D centers across finance, telecommunications, and e-commerce sectors.

In addition to his academic duties, Dr. Göktürk has been a founding partner of Humexis.com and served as a steering committee member for TUBITAK BILTEG. He has been a visiting or adjunct lecturer at Bilgi University, Işık University, and Ahmet Yesevi University, teaching courses in computer graphics, animation, operating systems, programming, microprocessors, HCI, and software engineering.

Dr. Gokturk was among pioneers of Internet boom around 1990's. He establisheed various successful web site projects such as www.turkishmusic.org, www.postamatik.com, www.satiyorum.com and www.seslichat.com, www.bizimyoutube.com which were all innovative and pioneer initiatives with large number of visitors.

A lifelong technology enthusiast, he maintains a practical interest in user-centered design, open-source ecosystems, and distributed systems. Outside of his academic commitments, he is an amateur sailor, and a vintage car enthusiast. He also acts as an Erasmus coordinator, promoting international academic exchange and collaboration.

Work Experience

• GTU Professor of Computer Engineering ( 2000 - )
• GTU Institute of Information Technologies Department Head ( 2021 - )
• Research Associate, The George Washington University ( 1996 - 2000 )
• Tech Support, The George Washington University Virginia Campus( 1995 - 1996 )
• Research Assistant, Department of Electrical Engineering, Boğaziçi University ( 1991 - 1993 )
• Founding member and CEO of Humexis Ltd. ( 2013 - )
• TTGV Project Evaluator ( 2001 - )
• KOSGEB Project Evaluator and Comission Member ( 2001 - )
• TÜBİTAK Project Evaluator and Comission Member ( 2001 - )
• Court Expert ( 2002- )
• Information Valley of Turkey Member of Consulting Committee (2020 - )
• TUBİTAK BİLTEG Steering Committee Member ( 2015 - 2018 )
• TÜBİTAK Ulakbim member of board of directors ( 2015-2017 )
• GOSB Technopark member of board of directors ( 2013-2022 )
• GTÜ Teknopark member of board of directors ( 2022 - )
• GTÜ Consultant to Rector ( 2022 - )
• GTÜ Director of Office of Information Technology ( 2014 - 2019 )