Photo credit: M. Ciabattoni

Zeki Hayran, PhD
Research Associate

Optics and Photonics Researcher

Department of Physics
Imperial College London

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Welcome! I am currently a Research Associate in the Department of Physics at Imperial College London, advised by Prof. Sir John Pendry. Prior to this, I completed my PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Francesco Monticone  and my MS at TOBB University of Economics and Technology in Ankara, co-advised by Prof. Dr. Hamza Kurt—currently at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, South Korea—and by Prof. Dr. Kestutis Staliunas of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain.

My main interest lies in exploring time-varying photonics, non-Hermitian optics, and topological photonics. Over the course of my academic journey, I've contributed to 18 journal papers, with 11 where I took the lead as the first/co-first author. These contributions are featured in journals such as Optica, ACS Photonics, and Nature Communications. I have also been part of 26 conference proceedings and have had the opportunity to present my findings orally at 20 conferences, with 3 of these presentations being invited. This body of work has not only furthered knowledge in the field but has also attracted attention from media outlets like the Cornell Chronicle, Phys.org, and Photonics.com. In recognition of the impact of my research, I have received over 480 citations, and I am humbled by an h-index of 12.

But beyond the academic realm, I believe in the power of collaboration, mentorship, and the constant exchange of ideas. Working in diverse environments and engaging with experts across different domains has enriched my perspective and fostered a multidimensional approach to problem-solving.

When I take a break from research, I enjoy letting loose at the piano, playing my favorite tunes, or having a friendly match on the tennis court, appreciating the simple joy and camaraderie the game brings.

I invite you to explore other sections of this website to dive deeper into my academic and research achievements. For a detailed account, please refer to my CV.