Assist. Prof. Dr. Ozgur Tonkal | Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | Samsun University | Turkey

Assist. Prof. Dr. Ozgur Tonkal is a distinguished academic and researcher currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Software Engineering at Samsun University, Türkiye. With an extensive background in Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Software Defined Networks (SDN), he has established a strong academic and professional presence in the rapidly evolving field of information and communication technologies. Dr. Tonkal earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Computer Engineering from Gazi University, where he successfully completed his doctoral thesis titled “Autonomous Attack Detection and Mitigation Model by Network Traffic Aware Approach in Software Defined Networks,” which demonstrated innovative solutions for traffic-aware autonomous threat detection systems in SDN environments. He also holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from Gazi University and multiple Bachelor’s degrees from Gazi University, Karabuk University, and Anadolu University, combining expertise in computer systems education, computer engineering, and business administration. Throughout his career, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ozgur Tonkal has been recognized for his outstanding teaching, administrative leadership, and technical proficiency in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, IoT, and computer network design. As a core faculty member, he teaches courses on Cybersecurity, IoT, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Networks, and Web Programming while also serving as the Vice President of the Software Engineering Department, Technical Advisor to the Cybersecurity Student Community, and Manager of the University Cyber Incident Response Team. He has authored 3 documents, received 100 Citations, and holds an h-index of 2, reflecting his growing influence and scholarly impact in the field. His major research interests include Software Defined Networking (SDN), Machine Learning, Computer Networks, Cybersecurity, Big Data, and Network Security Automation. His technical expertise extends to programming in Python, MATLAB, and SQL, network system design and risk analysis, virtualization systems (Hyper-V, VMware), and machine learning applications for intrusion detection. He possesses multiple professional certifications from global institutions, including Cisco (CCNAv7, Network Security, IoT, and CyberOps Associate), Oracle (Database Design and SQL Programming), Exemplar Global (ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS Lead Auditor), and Google (Machine Learning Crash Course). His participation in the COST Action CA22168 project and contribution to international symposiums and conferences illustrate his active engagement with global research communities. In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, he has taken on administrative roles as Acting Head of the IT Department at Samsun University and Technical Advisor for international robotics competitions, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to advancing education and innovation. Assist. Prof. Dr. Ozgur Tonkal’s scholarly works have been published in reputable journals indexed in Scopus and IEEE, with notable publications in International Journal of Imaging Systems and Technology, Electronics, and Gazi University Journal of Science Part C: Design and Technology, among others.

Profile:  Google scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Sertkaya, M. E., Ergen, B., Türkoğlu, M., & Tonkal, Ö. (2024). Accurate diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s with deep network approach based on multi-channel feature extraction and selection. International Journal of Imaging Systems and Technology, 34. [Citations: 25]

2. Tonkal, Ö., Polat, H., Başaran, E., Cömert, Z., & Kocaoğlu, R. (2021). Machine learning approach equipped with neighbourhood component analysis for DDoS attack detection in software-defined networking. Electronics, 10. [Citations: 40]

3. Tonkal, Ö., Polat, H. (2021). Traffic classification and comparative analysis with machine learning algorithms in software defined networks. Gazi University Journal of Science Part C: Design and Technology, 9(1), 71–83. [Citations: 20]

4. Tonkal, Ö. (2024). Cyber threat analytics in data science: Intrusion detection and prevention systems. In Current Studies in Data Science and Analytics. ISRES Publishing. [Citations: 10]

5. Mercimek, T., & Tonkal, Ö. (2024). Social media criminals. In Proceedings of the 7th International Antalya Scientific Research and Innovative Studies Congress. [Citations: 5]