Hydrobiology

The Department of Hydrobiology was established in 1991 within the Department of Biology of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Trakya University. With the separate restructuring of the Faculties of Arts and Sciences in 2010, it continues its activities within the Faculty of Science. From the day it was established until 2012, the Department Head was Prof. Dr. Timur KIRGIZ, and since then, the Department Head has been carried out by Prof. Dr. Belgin ELİPEK.

The Department of Hydrobiology, which conducts limnological research on aquatic ecosystems, currently employs 4 professors (Prof. Dr. Belgin ELİPEK, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin GÜHER, Prof. Dr. Utku GÜNER, Prof. Dr. Burak ÖTERLER), 1 Res. Asst. Dr. (Res. Asst. Dr. Gazel Burcu AYDIN) and 1 veterinarian (Vet. Dr. Sezen SELVİ). The faculty members of the Department contribute to education by providing undergraduate and graduate education and also contribute to science at national and international levels with national and international projects, articles and notifications.

The Department of Hydrobiology includes 1 equipped Research laboratory, 1 equipped Aquarium experiment room and Experimental Animals Laboratory, 1 student education laboratory, 1 equipped plankton culture laboratory. There is also a storage room where the equipment used in field studies is stored and maintained and repaired.

The team members conducting research on different study topics within the Department carry out studies on taxonomic studies on phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobentos and nekton, as well as studies on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of inland waters and toxicology, and on the relationships of all these properties with each other and with living groups. With these studies conducted on aquatic ecosystems in Turkiye and especially in the Thrace region, significant scientific contributions are made both in the country and worldwide. As a result of the research conducted by the academic staff of the Department, 3 new species were identified for the world, contributing to the scientific world.

Our department members also have joint studies and connections with scientists both in Turkiye and abroad. Therefore, graduate students can also be offered the opportunity to work on different topics in the field of hydrobiology if they wish.

The projects, conferences and seminar presentations made by the members also contribute to social education.

Hydrobiology Department Academic Staff:

Prof. Dr. Belgin ELİPEK (Head of Hydrobiology Department)

She has been working in the Hydrobiology Department since 1994. She has studies on benthic macroinvertebrates living in inland waters, water quality and their relationships with each other. She also served as the Director of Trakya University Environmental Problems Application and Research Center. She currently serves as a board member at Trakya University Natural Disasters Research and Application Center Directorate and Trakya University Quality Commission Member.

Prof. Dr. Hüseyin GÜHER

He has been working in the Department of Hydrobiology since 1986. He has studies on zooplanktonic organisms living in inland waters and their relationships with environmental factors. He also served as the Director of Trakya University Fisheries Research and Application Center.

Prof. Dr. Utku GÜNER

He has been working in the Department of Hydrobiology since 1996. He has studies on nekton living in inland waters and the effects of toxic substances on these creatures. He is also the head of the aquatic experimental animals’ unit in the biology department. He currently contributes to our university as the Director of Trakya University Aquaculture Center.

Prof. Dr. Burak ÖTERLER

He has been working in the Department of Hydrobiology since 2000. He has studies on phytoplanktonic organisms living in inland waters and their relationships with environmental factors and aquatic toxicology. He also served as the Director of Trakya University Fisheries Research and Application Center for a period and currently serves as the Director of Trakya University TÜTAGEM.

Res.Asst.Dr. Gazel Burcu AYDIN

She has been working in the Hydrobiology Department since 2011. She is working on benthic macroinvertebrates and their ecology. She also has studies on ecotoxicological risk analysis related to water quality.

Vet.Dr.Sezen SELVİ

She was appointed to the Hydrobiology Department of the Biology Department in 2023. She currently continues her duty in the aquatic experimental animal unit in the department.