As a visiting scientist at IAPN in 2017, Prof. Dr. Ismail Cakmak continues to further the international research in the field of plant nutrition and plant physiology. The worldwide acknowledged scientist from Sabanci University in Istanbul works in Göttingen at the IAPN and also at the Department of Crop Sciences, in the Section of Plant Nutrition and Crop Physiology at the Georg-August-University.
Joint research activities and international network development
Professor Cakmak works in joint research activities of IAPN und Sabanci University. He also strengthens the scientific connections between both of these institutions and for example the International Magnesium Institute, which was established in September 2016 as a public-private partnership by K+S KALI GmbH and the Chinese Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU). The International Magnesium Institute will develop scientific know-how for application of the plant nutrient magnesium in agriculture in Asia; also by means of research projects, new knowledge for plant nutrition will be developed and improved application recommendations worked out for fertilizers containing magnesium.
Additionally, Professor Cakmak contributes, alongside to scientific head of IAPN Professor Dittert, to teaching activities. He also assists PhD students in developing their publications.
During his visit at IAPN in 2016, Ismail Cakmak has given numerous lectures in Germany and abroad, and has written articles about recent topics of plant nutrition. These activities are continued in 2017, too.
Research and teaching activities of Professor Cakmak in Göttingen focus on the improvement of the absorption of nutrients via the leaves, and the reduction of harmful effects, that are caused by environmental stress, for example excessive solar radiation or water deficiency. The agricultural scientist from Turkey is internationally highly recognized for his expertise in the field of plant nutrition and plant physiology, in which he connects basic research with practical application.
About Ismail Cakmak
Born in 1959, Ismail Cakmak earned his doctorate in 1988, at Hohenheim University and as a Humboldt-fellow went on to conduct post-doctorate research in Hannover and Hohenheim, among other places. Since 2000, he is Professor of Plant Nutrition and Nutritional Physiology at Sabanci University, Istanbul. Among other projects, he coordinates a global research project on the role of fertilizer strategy in improving the concentrations of micronutrients (especially zinc) in cereal grains. The HarvestZinc project has been established under the internationally recognized HarvestPlus program which seeks to provide adequate amounts of bioavailable micronutrients to millions of people in the developing world. Very recently, the U.S. based International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) has named Dr. Ismail Cakmak as the winner of the 2016 IPNI Science Award. His major contributions in alleviating the malnutrition problem in developing countries was appreciated.