10/06/2026
Sabancı University graduate Efe Öztaban was accepted to do a PhD in Computational Astrophysics at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany, one of the world's leading research institutions. Öztaban will continue his studies on galaxy clusters and cosmology in Munich starting from September.
Efe Öztaban, who started studying at Sabancı University in 2017, majored in Electronics Engineering as well as a double major in Computer Science and Engineering and a minor in Physics during his undergraduate education. Öztaban, who then continued his master's degree at Sabancı University Physics Program, completed his master's degree this semester.
Öztaban, who worked on the X-ray detector of the SharjahSat-1 satellite at Sabancı University High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory during his undergraduate education, did an internship at DTU Space in Denmark in 2021, within the scope of the ATHENA mission carried out by the European Space Agency.
Öztaban, who worked on dust scattering halos seen in X-ray observations in his master's studies, the three-dimensional structure of interstellar molecular clouds and how these structures can be used to determine the distances of X-ray binary systems, carried out his research under the supervision of Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences faculty member Prof. Dr. Emrah Kalemci. In this process, he particularly focused on the application of artificial intelligence methods to astrophysics problems.
Öztaban, who will conduct research on galaxy clusters and cosmology during his doctoral studies at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, will examine these issues using computational methods, simulations, artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, and large-scale data analysis.
Efe Öztaban, who evaluated the doctoral program he was accepted to, stated that the years he spent at Sabancı University provided him with a versatile development environment and said:
"Sabancı University was a versatile experience for me, not only academically but also socially. During my undergraduate and graduate years, I worked as an assistant in different courses for a long time, took part in research groups, and had the opportunity to take part in student clubs and social responsibility projects. I stayed in the dormitory for about eight years, and Sabancı became not only a university where I studied, but also a place where I felt like home. This process gave me the opportunity to improve myself by trying different fields, work with different people and share what I learned."
