Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Departments of Physics and Chemistry organized a special event on the occasion of Chemists’ Day and within the scope of Honor and High Honor Certificate Ceremony. During the said event, young scientist Huriye Ertay met with students. Ertay is recognized internationally for her notable work in solar energy technologies.
“A Defining Discipline”
Making an address at the beginning of the event, Head of EMU Departments of Physics and Chemistry Prof. Dr. Huriye İcil touched on the meaning and importance of Chemists’ Day, underscoring the critical role of chemistry in scientific advancement, technological innovation, and sustainable energy solutions. Noting that chemistry is a defining discipline in many fields—particularly in health, environmental sciences, and materials science—Prof. Dr. İcil extended her congratulations to all students on Chemists’ Day.
During her seminar, Ertay provided information on perovskite solar cells, developed as an alternative to silicon-based solar panels, highlighting their lower cost and high efficiency potential. Serving as an inspiration to students through her academic journey, scientific curiosity, and international research experience, Ertay also shared valuable insights into scientific production and research processes.
High Honor and Honor Certificates Presented
As part of the event program, achieving students of Departments of Physics and Chemistry were presented with High Honor and Honor Certificates and Huriye Ertay’s scientific journey provided powerful inspiration for the younger generation.
Who is Huriye Ertay?
After completing her high school education in Cyprus, Huriye Ertay pursued a degree in Biomedical Sciences at King’s College London in the United Kingdom. She is currently continuing her doctoral studies at the Institut Photovoltaïque d’Île-de-France (IPVF) in France. Ertay has attracted attention for her research on the mechanisms and kinetics of perovskite materials, which stand out among next-generation solar energy technologies.
During the pandemic, Ertay continued her research without interruption by making use of the facilities at EMU laboratories that were open for external use together with her peers. Following the research experience she gained in the EMU Department of Chemistry laboratories, she went on to achieve significant success in both scientific and entrepreneurial fields. Recognized with the Deep Tech Pioneer award and distinguished as a Forbes Scholar, Ertay continues her work at leading particle accelerator centers such as ALS in the United States and SOLEIL in France, where she investigates the atomic structures of the novel materials she has developed.