Assist. Prof. Dr. Fatma Cavus Yonar | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor PhD from Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Institute of Forensic Sciences and Legal Medicine Department of Science, Turkey

Dr. Fatma Çavuş Yonar is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of forensic sciences with a specialization in analytical chemistry, forensic genetics, and toxicology. Currently serving as a Dr. Lecturer at the Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Institute of Forensic Sciences, she brings over a decade of experience in forensic research and education. Her scholarly contributions include extensive work on psychoactive substances, forensic genetics, and crime scene investigation methodologies. She is actively involved in scientific publishing, holding editorial board memberships for three international journals. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary research, integrating nanotechnology, molecular biology, and advanced chromatography techniques. Dr. Yonar has published numerous book chapters and has contributed to foundational forensic science literature. Her dedication to scientific rigor and innovation makes her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. She has played a critical role in training the next generation of forensic scientists while pushing the boundaries of conventional forensic analysis. Her consistent scholarly output and leadership in forensic science education and research are indicative of her significant contributions to the academic and scientific communities.

Professional Profile

• Scopus Profile
• ORCID Profile

Education

Dr. Fatma Çavuş Yonar’s academic journey reflects her deep commitment to forensic sciences and interdisciplinary learning. She began her higher education in the Department of Biology Education at Hacettepe University, graduating in 2009. She then pursued her Master of Science degree in Forensic Sciences at Istanbul University, completing her thesis on the simultaneous determination of fentanyl and norfentanil using LC-MS/MS techniques in 2012. Her doctoral studies were conducted at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Institute of Forensic Sciences, where she obtained her PhD in 2018 with a dissertation investigating molecular transformations in pen inks under various environmental conditions. Dr. Yonar’s academic trajectory showcases a clear progression from foundational science education to highly specialized forensic research. Her educational background has provided her with the necessary skills to address complex analytical problems in forensic science, with a particular emphasis on toxicology, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry. Her interdisciplinary expertise is evident in her research and teaching activities and aligns well with the evolving demands of modern forensic investigation.

Professional Experience

Dr. Fatma Çavuş Yonar has accumulated extensive experience in academia and research through her long-standing affiliation with Istanbul University. Her professional career began in 2011 as a Research Assistant at the Istanbul University Institute of Forensic Sciences. Over the next seven years, she actively contributed to research, publications, and laboratory training for postgraduate students. In 2020, she was appointed as a Dr. Lecturer at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Institute of Forensic Sciences, where she currently teaches and supervises research in the Department of Science. Her responsibilities include curriculum development, guiding thesis projects, and collaborating on interdepartmental research initiatives. Dr. Yonar also serves on editorial boards for multiple forensic science journals, reflecting her standing in the academic community. Her practical experience extends to forensic genetics, toxicology, and the analysis of psychoactive substances. She has co-authored many influential book chapters and has been involved in numerous collaborative research projects. Her dual role as an educator and active researcher makes her a vital asset to the academic and scientific communities.

Research Interests

Dr. Fatma Çavuş Yonar’s research interests span a broad spectrum of forensic science disciplines, particularly forensic toxicology, analytical chemistry, forensic genetics, and crime scene investigation. She is especially focused on the molecular and chemical analysis of psychoactive substances and forensic trace evidence, such as ink and biological material. Her doctoral research explored the stability and transformation of ink molecules under various environmental conditions, demonstrating her interest in both chemical characterization and environmental influences on forensic samples. She is also actively engaged in developing analytical techniques using nanotechnology and molecular diagnostics, with a focus on applications in forensic genetics and toxicology. Another significant area of her research is the analysis of designer drugs and new-generation psychoactive substances using chromatographic techniques. Her interdisciplinary approach allows her to bridge the gap between classical forensic methodologies and modern molecular technologies. Dr. Yonar’s work contributes to improved methodologies for evidence evaluation and supports advancements in forensic identification, substance detection, and expert testimony.

Research Skills

Dr. Fatma Çavuş Yonar possesses a robust set of research skills that are essential for cutting-edge forensic investigations. She is proficient in advanced analytical techniques, including liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), gas chromatography, and spectroscopic methods. Her expertise extends to molecular biology tools, forensic DNA analysis, and epigenetics. She has practical experience in RNA-based identification and the forensic examination of biological and digital evidence. Her skills are further demonstrated through her contributions to interdisciplinary book chapters and her research on nanoscience applications in forensic genetics. Dr. Yonar is also experienced in handling statistical methods for evaluating forensic genetic data, which enhances the reliability of her research outcomes. She has conducted extensive research on psychoactive substances and their legal implications, combining chemical analysis with forensic context. Her research skills are not only technical but also conceptual, as she effectively integrates science with forensic interpretation, making her research outputs both academically rigorous and practically applicable.

Awards and Honors

While specific awards and honors were not explicitly listed in the profile provided, Dr. Fatma Çavuş Yonar’s professional achievements and responsibilities are indicative of significant peer recognition. Her appointment as an editorial board member for three international journals in 2024 highlights her leadership and expertise in the field. Editorial roles are typically reserved for well-established researchers who have demonstrated consistent contributions and hold influence in their disciplines. In addition, her longstanding academic role at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, along with her published chapters in internationally recognized forensic science books, reflects the high regard in which she is held by her peers. These professional appointments and scholarly contributions collectively suggest a commendable level of recognition and respect in the scientific community, underscoring her qualification for prestigious awards such as the Best Researcher Award.

Conclusion

Dr. Fatma Çavuş Yonar is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award, demonstrating a sustained commitment to forensic science through education, research, and academic service. Her work integrates analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and forensic toxicology, enabling her to contribute valuable advancements to both theory and practice. With a strong foundation in research methodology, she has produced high-impact scholarly work, participated in interdisciplinary collaborations, and mentored upcoming forensic scientists. Her editorial responsibilities in international journals and contributions to forensic literature further validate her leadership in the field. While a more detailed list of honors could further strengthen her profile, her current accomplishments already reflect a well-established and impactful career. Dr. Yonar exemplifies the qualities of an innovative and dedicated researcher, and her recognition with this award would acknowledge her significant role in advancing forensic science and promoting academic excellence.

Publications Top Notes

• Title: The other side of the paper as the evidence: impacts of fingermark development reagents on fingermark development and cocaine amount in cocaine-impregnated paper
  Journal: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology
  Date: 2024-10-17
  DOI: 10.1007/s12024-024-00897-2
  Contributors: Yakup Gulekci, Fatma Cavus Yonar, Pınar Efeoglu Ozseker, İsmail Ethem Gören, Nebile Daglioglu

• Title: Short-cut route validated for monitoring fentanyl and its metabolite in urine using LC–MS/MS, in a wide concentration range
  Journal: Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  Date: 2024-07-04
  DOI: 10.1186/s43094-024-00657-7
  Contributors: Fatma Cavus Yonar, Beril Anılanmert, Munevver Acikkol

• Title: The effect of fingerprint enhancement methods applied on adhesive surfaces on DNA recovery: a preliminary study
  Journal: Journal of Scientific Reports-A
  Date: 2024-03-31
  DOI: 10.59313/jsr-a.1375939
  Contributors: Fatma Cavus Yonar, Yakup Gülekçi

• Title: False Positives in Luminal Testing
  Journal: Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science
  Date: 2024-01-15
  DOI: 10.34248/bsengineering.1391613
  Contributors: Yakup GÜLEKÇİ, Fatma CAVUS YONAR

• Title: Speedy Gonzales analysis method in one drop of beverage, for crimes committed with drugs from three different groups
  Journal: Analytical Sciences
  Date: 2023-06
  DOI: 10.1007/s44211-023-00282-z
  Contributors: Beril Anilanmert, Fatma Cavus Yonar

• Title: Comparison of methods to develop fingerprints on papers impregnated with AB‐PINACA and AB‐FUBINACA
  Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences
  Date: 2022-03
  DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14926
  Contributors: Yakup Gulekci, Pınar Efeoglu Ozseker, Fatma Cavus Yonar, Nebile Daglioglu

• Title: DNA profiling for forensic identification in Bulgarian Turks
  Journal: Medicine Science | International Medical Journal
  Date: 2021
  DOI: 10.5455/medscience.2020.12.254
  Contributor: Fatma Cavus Yonar

• Title: Who touched the document?: A new overall strategy for collection and identification of DNA from the questioned documents as a supportive evidence
  Journal: ELECTROPHORESIS
  Date: 2021-10
  DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100192
  Contributor: Fatma Cavus Yonar

• Title: Assessment of 13 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Loci for Identification in Forensic Sciences for Turkish Population
  Journal: International Journal of Biology and Chemistry
  Date: 2021-06
  DOI: 10.26577/ijbch.2021.v14.i1.05
  Contributor: Fatma Cavus Yonar

• Title: CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT OF TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICES USED IN FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORIES UNDER ISO/IEC 17025: 2017
  Journal: International Journal of Advanced Research
  Date: 2021-06-30
  DOI: 10.21474/ijar01/12986
  Contributor: Fatma Cavus Yonar