Aysegul Yilmaz, PhD Student

  email                                                                 aysegul@umd.edu

  phone                                                                       (301) 405 8229

Aysegul Yilmaz joined us from Ankara, Turkey. She holds a master's degree in Science and Technology Policy Studies and a bachelor's degree in Geological Engineering, both degrees from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. Before joining the program, Aysegul used to work for the Turkish Research Council for the Advancement of Science and Technology as a policy analyst, and earlier as a science writer. Aysegul is interested in local economic development in less-developed countries, with a focus on the conservation of natural resources and community development (community-based conservation). She is also interested in the preservation of natural and cultural heritages and how these assets could serve as potentials for economic development in a sustainable way. In the past Aysegul had done extensive research on the innovation systems theory, regional innovation systems and innovation policies. Aysegul has been assisting Professor Marie Howland in teaching the course Urban and Regional Economic Development Planning.