Ercan Ali Önder (b. 1968) is a specialist in Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, recognized with numerous national and international awards, and one of the founding members of KABAE. His research focuses on discovering novel drug candidates from the endemic plant flora of Mount Ida, with particular emphasis on standardizing the pharmaceutical potential of Hypericum species. In addition to conducting his research within the Institute, he also serves as its Director. Academic Titles • Professor (2010) • Associate Professor (2005) Education • PhD, Pharmaceutical Botany — Western Anatolia University (1998) • MSc, Pharmacognosy — Western Anatolia University (1993) • BSc, Faculty of Pharmacy — Western Anatolia University (1991)

Semra Gürpınar Önder (b. 1974) serves as the Institute’s Research Coordinator and is a specialist in Plant Ecology and Conservation Biology. Her work focuses on modeling the impacts of climate change on high-value medicinal plant species and developing sustainable conservation strategies for vulnerable endemic flora. Academic Title • Associate Professor (2018) Education • PhD, Biology — Western Anatolia University (2013) • MSc, Biology — Western Anatolia University (2007) • BSc, Biology — Western Anatolia University (2004)

Mine Tanyeli (b. 1982) specializes in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. Her research centers on the use of artificial intelligence and molecular modeling tools to analyze the interactions between natural compounds derived from the Mount Ida flora and potential pharmacological targets, with the aim of accelerating early-stage drug discovery. Education • PhD, Bioinformatics & Systems Biology — KABAE  Dissertation: In Silico Identification of Potential Anticancer Activities of Secondary Metabolites Derived from Endemic Plants of Mount Ida (2014) • MSc, Molecular Biology & Genetics — Middle East Technical University (2007) • BSc, Molecular Biology & Genetics — Middle East Technical University (2005)

Dr. Sarp Terziyan (b. 1981) is a senior researcher specializing in Plant–Microorganism Interactions and Metabolomics. As the first researcher ever admitted to KABAE, his work explores the hidden potential of symbiotic microorganisms (endophytes) that influence the production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants. His research also includes the isolation and laboratory cultivation of high-potency biocidal agents and cytotoxic toxins with cell-killing properties. Education • PhD, Biology (Microbiology) — Western Anatolia University  Dissertation: Structural Characterization and Cytotoxicity of Potent Toxins Isolated from Endemic Fungal Species of Mount Ida (2010) • MSc, Biology — Istanbul University (2005) • BSc, Biology — Istanbul University (2003)

Çağdaş Önder (b. 1988) specializes in Plant Tissue Culture and Bioreactor Technologies. His research at KABAE focuses on the in-vitro micropropagation of rare, pharmaceutically important plant species under controlled laboratory conditions, as well as the standardization of industrial-scale production of bioactive compounds through advanced bioreactor systems. Academic Title • Associate Professor (2025) Education • PhD, Bioengineering — Western Anatolia University  Dissertation: Optimization of Bioreactor Parameters to Enhance Hyperforin Production in Hypericum perforatum L. Cell Suspension Cultures (2018) • MSc, Bioengineering — Western Anatolia University (2012) • BSc, Bioengineering — Western Anatolia University (2010)

MD; MSc in Medical Pharmacology; PhD Candidate in Pharmacology At KABAE, she is pursuing her doctoral research on the potential effects of Mount Ida plant species on sleep onset and sleep maintenance, aiming to develop a standardized, early-stage drug candidate with a well-defined safety profile. Education • MD, Faculty of Medicine — Western Anatolia University (2022) • MSc, Medical Pharmacology — Western Anatolia University (2024) • PhD, Pharmacology — KABAE (2024–present)

Ekin Tuna (b. 1995) is a visiting researcher working in the fields of Ethnobotany and Bioactive Compound Discovery. Her project investigates traditional plant-use knowledge from the Mount Ida region through modern scientific methodologies, aiming to identify novel pharmaceutical agents from species used in local folk medicine. She has been conducting her doctoral studies at KABAE since 2020. Education • PhD, Pharmacognosy — KABAE (ongoing) • MSc, Biology — Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University  Thesis: An Ethnobotanical Field Study on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Edremit Gulf Region (2019) • BSc, Biology — Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (2017)

After completing her studies in Chemistry at Çanakkale Vocational High School, she earned an Associate Degree in Laboratory Technology from Western Anatolia University. She holds GLP and BSL-2 awareness certifications, as well as certificates in HPLC sample preparation and basic formulation techniques. She has been working at KABAE as a Laboratory Technician since 2011.

He graduated from the Computer Engineering program at Western Anatolia University. Since 2016, he has provided end-to-end technical support at KABAE, covering a wide range of areas from hardware repair and user support to network backup management, web security, and design optimization.

She coordinates secretarial duties, internal correspondence, and archival processes through remote work and scheduled on-site visits. She is also responsible for planning procurement, shipping, and accommodation arrangements.