umut toprak, ph.d. -...

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

Umut Toprak, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Principal Investigator E-mail: [email protected]

Molecular Entomology Lab. Phone (Office): 01190 (312) 596-1018

Department of Plant Protection

Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University Fax: 01190 (312) 318-7029

06110 Diskapi Ankara-Turkey Skype: umuttoprak79

1. Academic Credentials

02.01.2006-21.03.2011 Ph.D., University of Saskatchewan, Dept. of Biology,

Saskatoon, SK, Canada.

Thesis Title: Molecular architecture of Mamestra

configurata peritrophic matrix

07.09.2001-29.07.2004 M.Sc., Ankara University, Dept. of Plant

Protection/Entomology, Ankara, Turkey (Grade point

average, 93.63/100).

Thesis Title: Characterization and comparative biological

activites of local and foreign Spodoptera littoralis

nucleopolyhedrovirus isolates on noctuid pest species

15.09.1997-23.06.2001 B.Sc., Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of

Plant Protection, Ankara, Turkey (Graduated with the

highest grade point average, 91.21/100).

2. Work Experience

14.06.2019-present Owner & CEO, “Agri-Ancyra Biotech” Company at Ankara

University Technopark, Ankara Turkey

23.10.2015-present Associate Professor, Ankara University, Faculty of

Agriculture, Dept. of Plant Protection/Entomology, Ankara,

Turkey.

Principal Investigator, Molecular Entomology Laboratory,

Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.

02.12.2013-23.10.2015 Assistant Professor, Ankara University, Faculty of

Agriculture, Dept. of Plant Protection/Entomology, Ankara,

Turkey.

Principal Investigator, Molecular Entomology Laboratory,

Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.

10.10.2011-02.12.2013 Associate Research Scientist&Lecturer, Ankara

University, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of Plant

Protection/Entomology, Ankara, Turkey.

07.11.2005-21.03.2011 Research Assistant/Ph.D. Student, University of

Saskatchewan, Dept. of Biology, Saskatoon SK, Canada;

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research

Centre, Molecular Genetics Section, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.

mailto:[email protected]

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

23.01.2002-29.07.2004 Research-Teaching Assistant/M.Sc. Student, Ankara

University, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of Plant

Protection/Entomology, Ankara, Turkey.

3. External Research Experience

April, 2018; March, 2019 Visiting Research Fellow, Purdue University, Dept. of

Entomology, West Lafayette, IN, USA.

Augut, 2008 Visiting Research Fellow, Pennsylvania State University,

Dept. of Plant Sciences, State College, PA, USA.

August, 2005 Visiting Research Fellow, Iowa State University, Dept. of

Entomology, Ames, IA, USA.

October-November, 2003 Visiting Research Fellow, Christian Albrechts University,

Dept of. Biotechnology and Biological Control, Germany.

4. Honors & Awards

2016 Early Career Award, Ankara University, Turkey.

2014 Early Career Award, The Union of the Chambers of

Turkish Engineers and Architects, The Chamber of

Agricultural Engineers, Turkey.

2010 Mauro E. Martignoni Student Award, Society for

Invertebrate Pathology, USA.

2010 Pest Management Research Graduate Student Award-

Canadian Society of Agronomy, Canada.

2008 Arthur R. Brooks Award, Entomological Society of

Saskatchewan, Canada.

2006 Second Best Student Poster in Virus Division, 39th

Annual

Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, Wuhan,

China.

2005 Research Affiliate Program Ph.D. Scholarship,

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada.

2005 Graduate Student Travel Award, Ankara University,

Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara, Turkey.

2001 Honors of Ankara University, Ankara University, Faculty

of Agriculture, Ankara, Turkey.

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

5. Areas of Research

● Development of Innovative Pest Control Strategies

● Molecular Pest Control (RNAi, Recombinant Peptides)

● Microbial Pest Control (Baculovirus, Bacillus thuringiensis)

● Host (Insect)-Pathogen Interaction (Insect Immunity & Host Defence against Baculovirus,

Bacillus thuringiensis)

● Molecular Insect Physiology & Biochemistry (Insect Digestive System & Lipid Metabolism)

6. Publications (849 total citations and h-index:10 according to Scopus)

Peer-Reviewed Articles

30. Erlandson, M., Toprak, U., Hegedus, D.D. 2019. Role of the peritrophic matrix in

insect-pathogen interactions. Journal of Insect Physiology, 117:103894

29. Hegedus, D.D., Toprak, U., Erlandson, M. 2019. Peritrophic Matrix Formation. Journal

of Insect Physiology, 117:103898.

28. Toprak, U., İnak, E., Özdemir, E. 2019. Use of molecular techniques in the studies of

insecticide resistance. Proceedings of The Symposium for Phosphine Resistance in

Stored Grain Pests. In Press.

27. Kaydan, M.B., Toprak, U. 2018. Molecular insights into plant protection. TarlaSera

98:76-78.

26. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Baldwin, D., Karcz, S., Wan, L., Coutu, C., Gillott, C.,

Hegedus, D.D. 2016. Identification of the Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera:

Noctuidae) peritrophic matrix proteins and enzymes involved in peritrophic matrix chitin

metabolism. Insect Science, 23:656-674.

25. Toprak, U., Hegedus, D.D., Baldwin, D., Coutu, C., Erlandson, M. 2014. Spatial and

temporal synthesis of Mamestra configurata peritrophic matrix through a larval stadium.

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 54:89-97.

24. Guz, N., Toprak, U., Dageri, A., Gurkan, M.O., Denlinger, D.L. 2014. Identification of a

putative antifreeze protein gene that is highly expressed during preparation for winter in

the sunn pest, Eurygaster maura. Journal of Insect Physiology, 68:30-35.

23. Toprak, U., Coutu, C., Baldwin, D., Erlandson, M., Hegedus, D. 2014. Development of

an improved RNA interference vector system for Agrobacterium-mediated plant

transformation. Turkish Journal of Biology, 38:40-47 (Turkish Journal of Biology is an

international journal indexed in ISI Thompson Reuters Web of Science, Elsevier-Scopus,

Science Citation Index Expanded Journal List).

22. Toprak, U., Guz, N., Gurkan, M.O., Hegedus, D.D. 2014. Identification and coordinated

expression of perilipin genes in the biological cycle of sunn pest, Eurygaster maura

(Hemiptera: Scutelleridae): Implications for lipolysis and lipogenesis. Comparative

Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Molecular Biology Part B, 171:1-11.

21. Toprak, U., Baldwin, D., Hegedus, D.D., Erlandson, M. 2013. Per os feeding with

antisera specific to peritrophic matrix proteins stimulates larval growth in Mamestra

configurata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Turkish Journal of Entomology, 37:203-

212 (Turkish Journal of Entomology is an international journal indexed in ISI Thompson

Reuters Web of Science, Elsevier-Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded Journal List).

20. Toprak, U., Baldwin, D., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Harris, S., Hegedus, D.D. 2013. In

vitro and in vivo application of RNA interference for targeting genes involved in

peritrophic matrix synthesis in a lepidopteran system. Insect Science, 20:92-100.

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

19. Susurluk, H.,Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O. 2013. Concentration of sodium dodecyl sulphate

used in the occlusion body extraction affects Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus

biological activity. Turkish Journal of Biology, 37:171-175 (Turkish Journal of Biology

is an international journal indexed in ISI Thompson Reuters Web of Science, Elsevier-

Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded Journal List).

18. Toprak, U., Harris, S., Baldwin, D., Theilmann, D.A., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D.D.,

Erlandson, M. 2012. Role of enhancin in Mamestra configurata nucleopolyhedrovirus

virulence: Selective degradation of host peritrophic matrix proteins. Journal of General

Virology, 93:744-753.

17. Terenius, O., Papanicolaou, A., Garbutt, J.S., Eleftherianos, I., Huvenne, H., Sriramana,

K., Albrechtsen, M., An, C., Aymeric, J-L., Barthel, A., Bebas, P., Bitra, K., Bravo, A.,

Chevalier, F., Collinge, D.P., Crava, C.M., de Maagd, R.A., Duvic, B., Erlandson, M.,

Faye, I., Felföldi, G., Fujiwara, H., Futahashi, R., Gandhe, A.S., Gatehouse, H.S.,

Gatehouse, L.N., Giebultowicz, J., Gómez, I., Grimmelikhuijzen, C.J., Groot, A.T.,

Hauser, F., Heckel, D.G., Hegedus, D.D., Hrycaj, S., Huang, L., Hull, J.J., Iatrou, K.,

Iga, M., Kanost, M.R., Kotwica, J., Li, C., Li, J., Liu, J., Lundmark, M., Matsumoto, S.,

Meyering-Vos, M., Millichap, P.J., Monteiro, A., Mrinal, N., Niimi, T., Nowara, D.,

Ohnishi, A., Oostra, V., Ozaki, K., Papakonstantinou, M., Popadic, A., Rajam, M.V.,

Saenko, S., Simpson, R.M., Soberón, M., Strand, M.R., Tomita, S., Toprak, U., Wang,

P., Wee, C.W., Whyard, S., Zhang, W., Nagaraju, J., ffrench-Constant, R.H., Herrero, S.,

Gordon, K., Swevers, L., Smagghe, G. 2011. RNA interference in Lepidoptera: an

overview of successful and unsuccessful studies and implications for experimental

design. Journal of Insect Physiology, 57:231-245.

16. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Hegedus, D. 2010. Peritrophic matrix proteins. Trends in

Entomology, 6:23-51.

15. Erlandson, M., Hegedus, D., Baldwin, D., Noakes, A., Toprak, U. 2010.

Characterization of the Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larval midgut

protease complement and adaptation to feeding on artificial diet, Brassica species and

protease inhibitor. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 75:70-91.

14. Toprak, U., Baldwin, D., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Harris, S., Hegedus, D. 2010.

Expression patterns of genes encoding proteins with peritrophin A domains and protein

localization in Mamestra configurata. Journal of Insect Physiology, 56:1711-1720.

13. Toprak, U., Baldwin, D., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2010. Insect intestinal

mucins and serine proteases associated with the peritrophic matrix from feeding, starved

and molting Mamestra configurata larvae. Insect Molecular Biology, 19:163-175.

12. Hegedus, D., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Toprak, U. 2009. New insights into peritrophic

matrix synthesis, architecture, and function. Annual Review of Entomology, 54:285-302.

11. Toprak, U., Baldwin, D., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hou, X., Coutu, C., Hegedus, D.

2008. A chitin deacetylase and putative insect intestinal lipases are components of

Mamestra configurata peritrophic matrix. Insect Molecular Biology, 17:573-585.

10. Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O., Bayram, Ş. 2007. The impact of a Turkish isolate and a

plaque purified variant of SpliNPV-B on larval stage development of Spodoptera

littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Boisd. Pest Management Science, 63:564-568.

9. Toprak, U., Susurluk, H., Gürkan, M.O. 2007. Viral-enhancing activity of an optical

brightener for Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) nucleopolyhedrovirus.

Biocontrol Science and Technology, 17:423-431.

8. Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Gürkan, M.O. 2006. Comparative biological activities of a

plaque-purified variant and a Turkish native isolate of SpliNPV-B against Spodoptera

littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Pest Management Science, 62:57-63.

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

7. Susurluk, I.A., Toprak, U. 2006. Molecular identification of three entomopathogenic

nematodes from Turkey by PCR-RFLP of the ITS regions. Phytoparasitica, 34:17-20.

6. Toprak, U., Susurluk,I.A., and Gürkan, M.O. 2005. The partial sequence comparison of

lef-8 gene obtained from a Turkish SpliNPV-B with several baculoviruses. Journal of

Agricultural Sciences, 11:384-390.

5. Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Gürkan, M.O. 2005. Gross pathology of SpliNPVs and

alterations in Spodoptera littoralis Boisd. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) morphology due to

baculoviral infection. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 11:65-71.

4. Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Gürkan, M.O. 2005. Baculoviruses as biological control agents,

do they have a future in Turkey? Çukurova University Agricultural Faculty Journal,

20:33-43.

3. Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O. 2005. A different strategy in agricultural pest control,

entomopathogenic microorganisms. Turkish Agriculture, 163:50-51.

2. Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O. 2004. First record of a NPV isolated from Spodoptera

littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Turkey and its molecular identification

according to the partial lef-8 gene. Turkish Journal of Biology, 28:71-77.

1. Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O. 2004. Negative effects of pesticides to environment and

human beings. Green World, 2:16-17.

Book Chapters

1. Hegedus, D.D., Toprak, U., and Erlandson, M. 2016. Lepidopteran peritrophic matrix

composition, function, and formation. In “Short Views on Insect Genomics and

Proteomics”, Vol 2, pp 63-87, Eds: Raman, C., Goldsmith, M.R., Agunbiade, T.A.,

Springer, Switzerland, ISBN: 978-3-319-24244-6.

Dictionary (In Press)

1. Toprak, U. 2019. Turkish Academy of Sciences, Scientific terms dictionary, Entomology

Core Section. Ed. by Sankur, B., Ankara, Turkey.

Conference Presentations

International Conferences:

78. Doğan, C., Güney, G., Bayram Ş., Toprak, U. 2019. A chicken or egg question in lipid

research: Does calcium homeostasis affect lipid metabolism or lipid metabolism affect

calcium homeostasis? Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, St. Louis,

USA, November 17-20.

77. Güney, G., Hänniger, S., Heckel, D.G., Toprak, U. 2019. Peritrophin knock out induces

baculovirus infection in Spodoptera littoralis. Entomological Society of America Annual

Meeting, St. Louis, USA, November 17-20.

76. Doğan, C., Hänniger, S., Heckel, D.G., Hegedus, D.D., Bayram Ş., Toprak, U. 2019.

Functional analysis of the Store-Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE) in lipid metabolism of

Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, St.

Louis, USA, November 17-20.

75. Doğan, C., Hänniger, S., Heckel, D.G., Hegedus, D.D., Bayram Ş., Toprak, U. 2019.

Characterization of Seipin and Neuropeptide F genes in Leptinotarsa decemlineata.

Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, St. Louis, USA, November 17-20.

74. Cedden, D., Bayram, Ş., Toprak, U. 2019. Further characterization of clock genes in

Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae).

Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, St. Louis, USA, November 17-20.

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

73. Cedden, D., Güney, G., Amutkan, D., Suludere, Z., Toprak, U. 2019. SEM and light

microscopy of the fat body and digestive system in overwintering Colorado potato beetle,

Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Entomological Society of

America Annual Meeting, St. Louis, USA, November 17-20.

72. Cedden, D., Bayram, Ş., Babaroğlu, N., Toprak, U. 2019. Identification of novel

hemiptericins in sunnpest, Eurygaster maura (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae). Society for

Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting, Valencia, Spain, July 28 - August 1.

71. Özdemir, E., Bayram, Ş., Toprak, U., Evlice, E. 2019. Identification of

entomopathogenic nematodes in Central Anatolia with a comparison of two barcoding

loci. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting, Valencia, Spain, July 28 -

August 1.

70. Doğan, C., Bayram, Ş., Toprak, U. 2019. Identification of antimicrobial peptides in

wheat stink bug, Aelia rostrata (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Society for Invertebrate

Pathology Annual Meeting, Valencia, Spain, July 28 - August 1.

69. Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Baldwin, D., Coutu, C., Güney, G., Güney, E., Sezen, K.,

Hegedus, D.D., Heckel, D., Kaydan, M.B. 2019. Temporal midgut transcriptome of

Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) larvae in response to Bacillus

thuringiensis ssp. tenebrionis infection. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual

Meeting, Valencia, Spain, July 28 - August 1.

68. Güney, G., Hänniger, S., Heckel, D.G., Bayram, Ş., Coutu, C., Hegedus, D.D., Sezen, K.,

Güney, E., Cedden, D., Toprak, U. 2019. Silencing ABC and Cadherin genes in

Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) treated with Bacillus

thuringiensis ssp. tenebrionis Cry δ-endotoxin. Society for Invertebrate Pathology

Annual Meeting, Valencia, Spain, July 28 - August 1.

67. Güney, G., Bekkaoui, D., Baldwin, D., Coutu, C., Hegedus, D.D., Hänniger, S., Heckel,

D.G., Bayram, Ş., Kaydan, M.B., Toprak, U. 2019. Characterization of major proteins

involved in the lipid metabolism of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa

decemlineata. 1st

International Molecular Plant Protection Congress, Adana, Turkey,

April 10-13.

66. Doğan, C., Hänniger, S., Heckel, D.G., Hegedus, D.D., Bayram, Ş., Kaydan, M.B.,

Toprak, U. 2019. Characterization of calcium-binding proteins in the fat body of

Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. 1st

International Molecular Plant

Protection Congress, Adana, Turkey, April 10-13.

65. Cedden, D., Bayram, Ş., Toprak, U. 2019. Identification of circadian timekeeping genes

in Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). 1st

International Molecular Plant Protection Congress, Adana, Turkey, April 10-13.

64. Köse, E., Toprak, U. 2019. Diet, obesity and beyond: Lessons from Insects. 1st


63. Aydın, A., Toprak, U., Durmuşoğlu, E. 2019. Bacillus-based bioinsecticides in

mosquitoe control: Mode of action and resistance scenarios. 1st

International Molecular

Plant Protection Congress, Adana, Turkey, April 10-13.

62. Doğan, C., Bayram, Ş., Kaydan, M.B., Toprak, U. 2019. Identification of fatty acid

binding and transport proteins in Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera:

Noctuidae): Potential target sites in pest control. 1st

International Molecular Plant

Protection Congress, Adana, Turkey, April 10-13.

61. Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Güney, G., Doğan, C., Babaroğlu, N., Ertürk, S., Kaydan,

M.B., Baldwin, D., Coutu, C., Hegedus, D.D. 2019. 1st

Comparative midgut proteomics

from feeding and hibernating Sunnpest, Eurygaster maura (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae). 1st


Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

60. Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Güney, G., Doğan, C., Babaroğlu, N., Ertürk, S., Kaydan, M.B.,

Baldwin, D., Coutu, C., Hegedus, D. 2019. Comparative fat body transcriptomics and

proteomics from feeding, aestivating and hibernating wheat stink bug, Aelia rostrata

(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) adults. 1st

International Molecular Plant Protection Congress,

Adana, Turkey, April 10-13.

59. Hegedus, D., Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C. 2017. Insight into the structure and

formation of the lepidopteran peritrophic matrix based on studies of the bertha

armyworm (Mamestra configurata). Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting,

Denver, USA, November 5-8.

58. Caner, E., Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Hegedus, D., Baldwin, D., Coutu, C., Erlandson, M.,

Heckel, D. 2017. The molecular architecture of Leptinotarsa decemlineata peritrophic

matrix: Implication of the first model in a beetle system. Entomological Society of

America Annual Meeting, Denver, USA, November 5-8.

57. Toprak, U. 2017. Mass production and storage possibilities of the biocontrol agent,

Turkish Strain of Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus. 28th

International Scientific-

Expert Conference of Agriculture and Food Industry, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

September 27-29.

56. Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Hegedus, D. 2017. Silencing chitin deacetylase, insect intestinal

mucin and response to pathogen genes in Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae):

Increases and decreases in the biological activity of baculoviruses. Society for

Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting, San Diego, USA, August 13-17.

55. Toprak, U. 2017. First report of iflavirus infection in Spodoptera littoralis

(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae). Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting, San Diego,

USA, August 13-17.

54. Caner, E., Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Hegedus, D., Baldwin, D., Coutu, C., Erlandson, M.,

Heckel, D. 2017. Modeling peritrophic matrix defense against pathogens infecting per os

in Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae). Society for Invertebrate

Pathology Annual Meeting, San Diego, USA, August 13-17.

53. Toprak, U., Hegedus, D., Erlandson, M. 2016. New insights into lepidopteran

peritrophic matrix synthesis. In the symposium “Insect biocomposites: cuticles and

peritrophic matrices”. International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL, USA,

September 25-30.

52. Ozdemir, E., Toprak, U., Çavdar, S., Bekkaoui,D., Hegedus, D. 2015. New target sites

in pest control: Examining the role of REPAT Proteins in defence against baculoviruses.

Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada, August 9-13.

51. Toprak, U., Hegedus, D., Ozdemir, E., Baldwin, D., Coutu, C., Bekkaoui, D., Bayram,

Ş., Gurkan, M.O. 2015. Peritrophic matrix proteomics of the cotton leaf worm,

Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae): Targets for pathogens infecting per os.

Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada, August 9-13.

50. Toprak, U., Çavdar, S. 2014. Enhancing baculoviral activity by synergistics targeting

insect midgut physiology. International Conference on Biopesticides 7 (ICOB 7),

Antalya, Turkey, 19-25 October.

49. Guz, N., Toprak, U., Hegedus, D., Coutu, C., Dageri, A., Mousavi, M., Bayram, Ş, and

Gurkan, M.O. 2012. Comparative fat body transcriptome analysis of sunn pest in

overwintering and summer populations. 24th

International Congress of Entomology,

Daegue, South Korea, 19-26 August.

48. Hegedus, D., Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Baldwin, D. 2011. Synthesis and

architecture of the Mamestra configurata peritrophic matrix. 6th

International Symposium

on Molecular Insect Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2-5 October.

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

47. Toprak,U., Baldwin, D., Hegedus, D., Gillott, C., Harris, S., Theilmann, D., Erlandson,

M. 2010. Mamestra configurata nucleopolyhedrovirus enhancin substrate specificity and

insect intestinal mucin structural types. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual

Meeting, Trabzon, Turkey, July 11-15.

46. Toprak, U., Baldwin, D., Hegedus, D., Gillott, C., Erlandson, M. 2010. A new target in

insect control: peritrophic matrix. Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of Agronomy,

Saskatoon, Canada, June 20-24.

45. Toprak, U., Baldwin, D.,

Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2009. Mucins “on

guard”?: Impact of a baculovirus metalloprotease on Mamestra configurata insect

intestinal mucins. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Indianapolis,

USA, December 13-16.

44. Hegedus, D., Erlandson M.A., Toprak, U., Gillott, C., Karcz, S. 2009. Recent insights

into the structure of the Mamestra configurata Type I peritrophic matrix. 8th

International

Workshop on Molecular Biology and Genetics of the Lepidoptera, Orthodox Academy of

Crete Kolympari, Crete, Greece, August 23-29.

43. Erlandson, M.A., Ethier, S., Toprak, U., Hegedus, D., Theilmann, D.A. 2009.

Baculoviruses associated with Mamestra configurata (bertha armyworm): Role of viral

enhancing factor (vef) in the infection process. 8th

International Workshop on Molecular

Biology and Genetics of the Lepidoptera, Orthodox Academy of Crete Kolympari, Crete,

Greece, August 23-29.

42. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2008. Characterization of new

proteins from the Mamestra configurata midgut. International Symposium on Insect

Midgut Biology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China, April 7-11.

41. Toprak , U., Baldwin, D., Erlandson, M.,

Gillott

, C., and Hegedus, D. 2008. Mucins

“always on guard”: Characterization of insect intestinal mucins in Mamestra configurata

(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae). Entomological Society of Saskatchewan Annual Meeting,

Saskatoon, Canada, December 5.

40. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2007. Characterization of seven new

proteins from Type-I lepidopteran peritrophic matrix. Entomological Society of America

Annual Meeting, San Diego, USA, December 9-12.

39. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2007. Characterization of six new

Mamestra configurata peritrophic matrix proteins and interaction of MacoNPV enhancin

with insect intestinal mucins. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting,

Quebec City, Canada, August 12-16.

38. Erdoğan, T., Gürkan, M.O., Toprak, U. 2007. Detoxification enzymes of Spodoptera

littoralis Boisd. infected with a baculovirus. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual

Meeting, Quebec City, Canada, August 12-16.

37. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2007. Characterization of three new

insect intestinal mucins from lepidopteran peritrophic matrix and interaction of

MacoNPV enhancin with McIIM1. Entomological Society of Canada Annual Meeting,

Saskatoon, Canada, Sep 29-Oct 3.

36. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2007. Characterization of six new

proteins from the lepidopteran peritrophic matrix: A new structural model. PUBS Annual

Meeting, Regina, Canada, February 22-24.

35. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2006. Towards a functional model

for Type-I lepidopteran peritrophic matrix. Entomological Society of America Annual

Meeting, Indianapolis, U.S.A., December 10-13.

34. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D., Li, Q. 2006. Characterization of

MacoNPV enhancin and its interaction with Mamestra configurata peritrophic matrix

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

proteins. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting, Wuhan, China, August 27-

September 1.

33. Susurluk, H., Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O. 2006. Impact of SDS in baculovirus occlusion

body purification buffer on biological activity. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual

Meeting, Wuhan, China, August 27-September 1.

32. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2006. A new model of lepidopteran

peritrophic matrix. Entomological Society of Saskatchewan Annual Meeting, Saskatoon,

Canada, December 7.

31. Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O. 2005. Enhancement in activity of Turkish SpliNPV-B to

Spodoptera littoralis Boisd. (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) by an optical brightener. Society for

Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting, Anchorage, USA, August 7-11.

30. Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O. 2005. A friendly insect pest control strategy for environment:

The Baculoviruses. II. International Environmental Protection Symposium, Dumlupınar

University, Kütahya, Turkey, September 8-10.

29. Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O. 2005. An alternative management model of Spodoptera

littoralis Boisd. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to chemical control. II. International

Environmental Protection Symposium, Dumlupınar University, Kütahya, Turkey

September 8-10.

National Conferences:

28. Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş., Güney, G., Doğan, C., Sezen, K., Heckel, D. 2019. Cathepsins

are downregulated in Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) larvae

during Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. tenebrionis infection. 7th

Entomopathogens and

Microbial Control Congress, Kayseri, Turkey, September 11-13.

27. Toprak, U., Bayram, Ş. 2019. The antimicrobial lysozymes are active in hibernating

wheat stink bug, Aelia rostrata (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). 7th

Entomopathogens and


26. Yusuf Idan, A., Bayram, Ş., Toprak, U. 2019. Identification of midgut lysozymes in

sunn pest Eurygaster maura (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae). 7th

Entomopathogens and


25. Gürkan, M.O., Baldwin, D., Toprak, U. 2019. Identification of a new Spodotera exigua

nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate from Turkey. 7th

Entomopathogens and Microbial Control

Congress, Kayseri, Turkey, September 11-13.

24. Aydın, A., Durmuşoğlu, E., Toprak, U. 2019. An Evaluation on the resistance of select

insects against Bacillus-based biopesticides. 7th


Congress, Kayseri, Turkey, September 11-13.

23. Toprak, U. 2018. Use of molecular techniques in the studies of insecticide resistance.

The Symposium for Phosphine Resistance in Stored Grain Pests, Plant Health Central

Research Institute, Ankara, Turkey, July 11.

22. Veli, A., Caner, E., Güney, G., Bayram, Ş., Toprak, U. 2017. Identification of putative

coleoptericins in Leptinotarsa decemlieneata (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae). 6th

Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Congress, Tokat, Turkey, September 14-16.

21. Toprak, U. 2017. Comparison of liquid and powder formulations of Turkish strain of

Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus on Spodoptera littoralis

(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae). 6th

Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Congress, Tokat,

Turkey, September 14-16.

20. Güney, G., Caner, E., Gömeç, S., Gürkan, M.O., Toprak, U. 2017. Effect of synergistics

targeting peritrophic matrix on baculoviral activity under laboratory conditions. 6th


Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

19. Caner, E., Bayram, Ş., Toprak, U. 2017. A novel immunity related protein of the

peritrophic matrix that enriches the innate defense against per os infective

entomopathogens. 6th

Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Congress, Tokat, Turkey,

September 14-16.

18. Caner, E., Toprak, U. 2017. Resistance mechanisms of insects against Bacillus

thuringiensis endotoxins: Perspectives and recent insights. 6th

Entomopathogens and

Microbial Control Congress, Tokat, Turkey, September 14-16.

17. Kayretli, D., Güney, G., Caner, E., Bayram, Ş., Toprak, U. 2017. Identification of

retroviral elements expressed in Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) midgut.

6th


16. Köse, E., Doğan, C., Güler, A., Güney, G., Toprak, U. 2017. Entomopathogenic viruses

as biological control agents in Turkey. 6th


Congress, Tokat, Turkey, September 14-16.

15. Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O., Gömeç, S., Özdemir, E., Caner, E. 2015. Efficacy of

different formulations of Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus with synergistics

targeting midgut defense under greenhouse conditions. 5th

Entomopathogens and

Microbial Control Congress, Ankara, Turkey, September 9-11.

14. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Hegedus, D. 2015. Relating peritrophic matrix structure and

function to baculovirus efficacy. 5th

Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Congress,

Ankara, Turkey, September 9-11.

13. Gömeç, S., Özdemir, E., Caner, E., Hegedus, D., Toprak, U. 2015. Modeling midgut

defense in response to pathogens in Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae). 5th

Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Congress, Ankara, Turkey, September 9-11.

12. Özdemir, E., Toprak, U., Bekkaoui, D., Hegedus, D., Gömeç, S., Caner, E., Canlı, H.

2015. Insect intestinal mucins in Spodoptera littoralis: Sacrifices of baculoviral

infections. 5th

Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Congress, Ankara, Turkey,

September 9-11.

11. Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O., Erlandson, M. 2015. Morphological, biochemical, and

phylogenetic analyses of Turkish isolate of Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus.

5th

Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Congress, Ankara, Turkey, September 9-11.

10. Toprak, U., Guz, N. 2014. Four important actors of lipid metabolism in sunn pest,

Eurygaster spp. (Hemiptera:Scutelleridae): Adiphokinetic hormone, protein kinase,

trigliceride lipase, lipophorin. 5th

Plant Protection Congress, Antalya, Turkey, February

3-5.

9. Guz, N., Toprak, U. 2014. Molecular characterization of genes related to metabolic

resistance in sunn pest. 5th

Plant Protection Congress, Antalya, Turkey, February 3-5.

8. Dağeri, A., Guz, N., Toprak, U., Gürkan, M.O. 2014. Molecular aspects of sunn pest

embryo development: The Vitellogenins. 5th

Plant Protection Congress, Antalya, Turkey,

February 3-5.

7. Toprak, U., Demirci, Y., Guz, N., Hegedus, D.D., Coutu, C., Baldwin, D., Yurtkuran, Z.,

Gürkan, M.O., Bayram, Ş. 2014. Potential midgut genes that could be targeted in the

control of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). 5th

Plant Protection Congress,

Antalya, Turkey, February 3-5.

6. Toprak, U., Guz, N., Demirci, Y. 2014. Midgut genomics of overwintering sunn pest. 5th

Plant Protection Congress, Antalya, Turkey, February 3-5.

5. Toprak, U., Hegedus, D.D., Erlandson, M.A., Theilmann, D. 2013. Baculovirus-insect

peritrophic matrix interaction: Can we develop more effective baculoviruses using the

knowledge on enhancin-insect intestinal mucin substrate specificity? 4th

Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Symposium, Artvin Çoruh University, Artvin,

Turkey, September 11-14.

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

4. Toprak, U., Yurtkuran, Z., Aşutlu, G., Demirci, Y., Gürkan, M.O. 2013. An alternative

to chemical insecticides in pest control: The baculoviral biopesticides and their

formulation. 4th

Ecology Congress, Tekirdağ, Turkey, Mayıs 2-4.

Other Conferences:

3. Toprak , U., Baldwin, D., Erlandson, M.,

Gillott

, C., Hegedus, D. 2009. Mucins “always

on guard”: Characterization of insect intestinal mucins in Mamestra configurata

(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). University of Saskatchewan, Biology Department Graduate

Student Symposium, Saskatoon, Canada, April 9.

2. Toprak, U., Erlandson, M., Gillott, C., Hegedus, D. 2007. The newer model of

lepidopteran peritrophic matrix with six new proteins. University of Saskatchewan,

Biology Department Graduate Student Symposium, Saskatoon, Canada, April 10.

1. Toprak, U., Gillott, C., Erlandson, M., Hegedus, D. 2006. The role of enhancin in

baculovirus pathogenesis and its interaction with the peritrophic matrix. University of

Saskatchewan, Biology Department Graduate Student Symposium, Saskatoon, Canada,

April 4.

7. Grant History

Toprak, U. (Principal), Bayram, S., Hegedus, D., Heckel, D.

“Determination of potential target genes involved in lipid metabolism in the control of

Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae)”.

Funding: The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (2019-2022).

Toprak, U. (Principal), Bayram, S., Hegedus, D., Heckel, D.

“Comparative peritrophic matrix proteomics and functional midgut genomics from larval

and adult stages of Colorado potato beetle”.

Funding: Ankara University Internal Funding (2017-2019).

Toprak, U. (Principal), Hegedus, D.

“Fat body functional genomics and proteomics in Colorado potato beetle”.

Funding: Higher Education Council International Project-Based Mevlana Program

(2018-2019).

Toprak, U. (Principal), Bayram, S., Gurkan, M.O., Hegedus, D.

“Determination of potential target midgut genes for the control of Egyptian cotton

leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)”


Toprak, U. (Principal), Gurkan, M.O.

“Formulation and mass production model of the biocontrol agent, Spodoptera littoralis

nucleopolyhedrovirus Turkish Isolate”

Funding: Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (2012-2015).

Erdogan, C. (Co-Principal), Toprak, U. (Co-Principal), Gurkan, M.O.

“Biochemical and molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance in Bemisia tabaci

(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations in vegetable greenhouses”


8. Research Collaborations

Dr. Dwayne Hegedus, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon, Canada.

Dr. Martin Erlandson, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon, Canada.

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

Dr. David Heckel, Dept. of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology,

Jena, Germany.

Dr. Guy Smagghe, Dept. of Crop Protection, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Dr. Michael Scharf, Dept. of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA.

Dr. Russel Groves, Dept. of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA

Dr. Gokhan Hotamışlıgil, Dept. of Genetics & Complex Diseases, Harvard University,

USA.

Dr. Charlotte Foerster, Lehrstuhl für Neurobiologie und Genetik, Julius Maximilian

University of Würzburg, Germany.

Dr. Kazım Sezen, Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey.

9. Teaching&Advisory Experience

Undergraduate Level Courses (at Dept. of Plant Protection, Ankara University from 2013-to

date):

Horticultural Insect Pests

Insect Morphology

Plant Protection

Graduate Level Courses (at Ankara University from 2013-to date):

Insect Molecular Biology (In English at the International Plant Protection Master

Degree Programme at Ankara University)

Insect Biochemistry (In Turkish at the Plant Protection Ph.D Degree Programme and in

English at the International Plant Protection Master Degree Programme at Ankara

University)

Introduction to Insect Physiology (In Turkish at the Plant Protection Master Degree

Programme at Ankara University)

Insect Physiology (In English at the International Plant Protection Master Degree

Programme at Ankara University)

Integrated Pest Management (In English at the International Plant Protection Master

Degree Programme at Ankara University)

Undergraduate Level Laboratory Courses (at Ankara University from 2001-2005 and 2011-

2013):

The Pests of the Vegetables and Ornamental Plants

Stored Product Pests

Insect Taxonomy

Entomology

Insect Morphology

Agricultural Control Methods

Graduate Student Service

Supervisor: Gözde Güney (Ph.D. Candidate, Ankara University, 2019- present).

Supervisor: Başak Coşkun (Ph.D. Candidate, Ankara University, 2019- present).

Supervisor: Emrah Kayış (Ph.D. Candidate, Ankara University, 2019- present).

Supervisor: Aslı Erol (M.Sc. Candidate, Ankara University, 2019- present).

Supervisor: Cansu Doğan (M.Sc. Candidate, Ankara University, 2019- present).

Supervisor: Gözde Güney (M.Sc., Ankara University, 2016-2019, completed).

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

Supervisor: Demet Kayretli (M.Sc., Ankara University, 2016-2019, completed).

Supervisor: Emre Caner (M.Sc., Ankara University, 2014-2017, completed).

Graduate Advisory Committee Member: Şahin Kök (Ph.D., Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart

University, Entomology, 2016-2019).

Graduate Advisory Committee Member: Şevkiye Balcı (Ph.D., Ankara University,

Entomology, 2015-present).

Thesis Examiner: Dönüş Gençer (Ph.D., Karadeniz Technical University, Biology,

2019).

Thesis Examiner: Zeynep Bayramoğlu (Ph.D., Karadeniz Technical University,

Biology, 2018).

Thesis Examiner: Nazife Eroğlu (Ph.D., Ankara University, Entomology, 2015).

Graduate Student Search Committee Member: Ankara University, Dept. of Plant

Protection (2015 Fall, 2019 Fall).

Supervising Undergraduate Research Projects (Ankara University)

Project title: Insect Hibernation, by Doğa Cedden, Övgü Yaman, Mert Bekir Dündar

(2019).

Project title: Livers of Insects: The fat body, structure and functions, by Esra Kose and

Cansu Doğan (2018).

Project title: Comparative morphology of the digestive systems in lepidopterans and

coleopterans, by Rıdvan Sağlam (2017).

Project title: Entomopathogenic viruses and conducting lethal dose and lethal time

bioassays in lepidopterans, by Sadık Kuşat, Alperen Abdullah Türkekul, Gözde Güney,

Begüm Acar (2016).

Project title: RNA interference and determination of the dosage for successful gene

silencing, by Faruk Hokkaömeroğlu, Hulusi Erdik, Yusuf Konur (2015).

10. Other Evidence of Impact and Contributions

Editorial Boards

Special Issue Editor: “Insect Lipid Metabolism” in “Insect Biochemistry & Molecular

Biology”, Eds: Toprak, U., Musselman, L., planned to be published in September 2020

(estimated).

Special Issue Editor: “The Peritrophic Matrix” in “Journal of Insect Physiology”, Eds:

Toprak, U., Wang, P., Smagghe, G., planned to be published in Early Issues of 2019-

Volume 112 or 113 (estimated).

Special Issue Editor: “Molecular insights into Insect Physiological Systems” in

“Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology”, Ed: Toprak, U., planned to be

published in Late Issues of 2019-Volume 100 (estimated).

Section Editor (Insect Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology):

-“Turkish Journal of Entomology” (an international peer-reviewed journal indexed in

ISI Thompson Reuters, Elsevier-Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded Journal List,

2018-………. )

-“Turkish Bulletin of Entomology” (2014-………..)

-“Bulletin of Plant Protection” (2018-……….).

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

Managing Editor: “Journal of Agricultural Sciences”, an international peer-reviewed

journal indexed in ISI Thompson Reuters, Elsevier-Scopus, Science Citation Index

Expanded Journal List (2015-2017)

Invited Editor: “Turkish Journal of Biology”, an international peer-reviewed journal

indexed in ISI Thompson Reuters, Elsevier-Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded

Journal List (2014).

Journal Reviewing as Peer-reviewer

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Insect Molecular Biology

Journal of Insect Physiology

Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology

PLoS One

BMC Genomics

BMC Microbiology

Insect Science

Arthropod Structure & Development

Frontiers in Physiology

Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology

Scientific Reports

Gene

Genomics

Pest Management Science

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Phytoparasitica

Biological Control

Biocontrol Science and Technology

Journal of Applied Entomology

Biotechnology Advances

Euphytica

Advances in Applied Agricultural Sciences

Mediterranean Agricultural Sciences

Turkish Journal of Biology

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Turkish Journal of Entomology

Turkish Bulletin of Entomology

Atatürk University Agricultural Faculty Journal

Suleyman Demirel University Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences

Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Service on Funding Agency Panels

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

Reviewer: The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

Research&Development Projects (2013-to date).

Reviewer: Uludağ University Research&Development Projects (2018).

Reviewer: Çukurova University Research&Development Projects (2017).

Reviewer: General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies

Research&Development Projects (2017).

Reviewer: Ankara University Technopark Research&Development Projects (2014).

Conference&Symposium Organization

Steering Committee Member: XII European Congress of Entomology-ECE 2022,

Hersonissos Crete, Greece, October 17-21 (2022)

Organizer: Section Symposium “From Fat to Fact: Recent Insights on Insect Lipid

Metabolism” at the Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Denver,

USA, November 17-20 (2019) (https://www.entsoc.org/events/annual-

meeting/symposia#ss).

Organizer: Cross-Divisional Symposium (Virus and Bacteria Divisions) “The multiple

layers of Host-Pathogens Interactions”, at the Annual Meeting of Society for Invertebrate

Pathgology, Valencia, Spain, July 28 - August 1 (2019).

Organizer & Co-Chair: 1st International Molecular Plant Protection Congress, Adana,

Turkey, April 10-13 (2019) (http://www.imppc2019.org/).

Organizer: Section Symposium “The Peritrophic Matrix: From Past to Future” at the

Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Denver, USA, November 5-8

(2017) (https://esa.confex.com/esa/2017/meetingapp.cgi/Session/30152).

Scientific Committee Member: 6th

International Entomopathogens and Microbial

Control Congress, Tokat, Turkey, September 14-16 (2017).

Organizer: 5th

International Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Congress, Ankara,

Turkey, September 9-11 (2015) (http://emc2015agri.en.ankara.edu.tr/).

Scientific Committee Member: International Conference on Biopesticides 7 (ICOB 7),

Antalya, Turkey, October 19-25 (2014) (http://www.icob7.org/).

Scientific Committee Member: 4th

International Entomopathogens and Microbial

Control Congress, Artvin, Turkey, September 11-14 (2013).

Administrative Service

Regional Ambassador: Society for Invertebrate Pathology (2019-……..).

Member at Large: Society for Invertebrate Pathology Virus Division (2017-2019).

Member: Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Committee of International

Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Agricultural Sciences (2018- ).

Member: Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Research & Education Comission

(2018- ).

Director: Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Research and Demonstration Farms

(2015-2017).

Chair: Ankara University Technology Transfer Office Agricultural Division (2014-

2016).

Chair: Turkish Republic Higher Education Council Mevlana Exchange Program Office

of Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture (Mevlana Exchange Program has been

signed between the Agricultural Colleges of Ankara University, Turkey and University of

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

Saskatchewan, Canada, and will be supported financially by Turkish Higher Education

Council until 2018).

Member: Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Campus Animals Health and Safety

Comission (2013- 2017).

Vice Chair: Ankara University International Relations Committee for Canadian

Universities (2013- ).

Vice Chair: Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Double Major and

Undergraduate Study Abroad Program Committee (2013-2015).

Member: Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Commision of International

Relations (2012- ).

Chair: Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Collaborations with American and

Canadian Universities Committee (2012-2015).

Founder and President: Entomological Society of Ankara University (2002-2005).

11. Invited Lectures and Seminars

Seminar: “A new model to study Non-Alcholohic Fatty Liver Syndrome: The Colorado

potato beetle”

Ankara University Biotechnology Institute, Ankara, Turkey (02.10.2019).

Seminar: “A New Model Organism to Study Lipid Metabolism: The Story of the

Colorado Potato Beetle”

Harvard University, Dept. of Genetics & Complex Diseases, MA, USA (20.12.2018).

Seminar: “The Peritrophic Matrix: Structure, functions and its potential as a target site

in pest control”

Michigan State University, Dept. of Entomology, MI, USA (18.12.2018).


in pest control”

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dept. of Entomology, IL, USA (07.12.2018).



University of Michigan, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, MI, USA (06.12.2018).



Western Michigan University, Dept. of Biology, MI, USA (04.12.2018).


in pest control”

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Dept. of Entomology, WI, USA (20.04.2018).

Seminar: “RNAi Applications in Pest Control”

Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of

Agricultural Research and Policies, Antalya, Turkey (23.02.2018).


in pest control”

Purdue University, Dept. of Entomology, IN, USA (27.10.2017).

Seminar: “Lipid metabolism and hibernation in exotic bugs”

Harvard University, Dept. of Genetics & Complex Diseases, MA, USA (17.10.2017).

Session lecture: “Development of a new target site in pest control using biotechnology:

The peritrophic matrix”

Vth

Çukurova Biotechnology Symposium, Adana, Turkey (27.03.2017).

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

Seminar: “Discovery of new target sites in pest control using biotechnology”

Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of

Agricultural Research and Policies, Antalya, Turkey (15.02.2017).

Session lecture: “New insights into lepidopteran peritrophic matrix synthesis”

Section Symposium “Insect biocomposites: cuticles and peritrophic matrices”,

International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL, USA (27.09.2016).

Seminar: “Development of improved baculoviruses targeting insect defense”

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan (18.05.2015).

Seminar: “The discovery of obesity, leanness and anti-freeze genes in insects”

University of Saskatchewan, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Saskatoon,

SK, Canada (17.04.2015).

Seminar: “New strategies and use of molecular techniques in pest control”

Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Plant Health Central

Research Institute, Ankara, Turkey (27.11.2014).

Session lecture: “Baculovirus-insect peritrophic matrix interaction: Can we develop

more effective baculoviruses using the knowledge on enhancin-insect intestinal substrate

specificity?”

4th

International Entomopathogens and Microbial Control Symposium Artvin,

Turkey (13.09.2013).

Seminar: “Insects of the Steppes”

Society of Rural Area and Forestry Issues, Ankara, Turkey (04.06.2013).

Seminar: “From entomology towards biotechnology: New approaches in pest control”

Uludağ University, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of Plant Protection, Bursa, Turkey (16.05.2013).

Seminar: “Pest of ornamental plants”

Municipality of Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey (05.04.2013).


Entomological Society of Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey (28.03.2013).


University of Wisconsin, Platteville, WI, USA (25.09.2012).


Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara, Turkey (26.01.2012).

Session lecture: “A New target in insect control: The peritrophic matrix”

Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of Agronomy, Saskatoon, Canada (21.06.2010).

Session lecture: “Mucins, always on guard? Characterization of insect intestinal mucins

from Mamestra configurata midgut”

Entomological Society of Saskatchewan Annual Meeting, Saskatoon, Canada (05.12.2008).

Seminar: “Molecular architecture of the insect peritrophic matrix”

Pennsylvania State University, Dept. of Plant Science, State College, PA, USA (12.08.2008).

12. Public Relations

Grade school student lectures: “A good bug and a bad bug”

Umut Toprak, Ph.D.

Organized by: GardenScape Little Green Thumbs School Tour Program, Saskatoon

Prairieland Exhibition, SK, Canada (March 2006-2011, March 2014)

Newspaper articles: Scientific magazine articles in “Köy-Koop Haber”, the first

monthly agricultural newspaper of Turkey (2012-2013).

-Toprak, U. 2013. Have you ever used a baculovirus? Köy-Koop Haber, September, pg

13.

-Toprak, U. 2013. Biotechnology miracle: Is the definiton of agriculture changing? Köy

Koop Haber, August, pg 9.

-Toprak, U. 2013.The site where the Redriver stops:Kalecik. Köy-Koop Haber, July, pg

9.

-Toprak, U. 2013. Field of dreams: Iowa. Köy-Koop Haber, June, pg 9.

-Toprak, U. 2013. The land of living skies: Saskatchewan. Köy-Koop Haber, May, pg 11.

-Toprak, U. 2013. An evening in Daegu: The memories towards Wigglesworth. Köy-

Koop Haber, April, pg 11.

-Toprak, U. 2013. A Nobel Prize in agriculture? Köy-Koop Haber, Marrch, pg 11.

-Toprak, U. 2013. The father of insects: Ibrahim Akif Kansu. Köy-Koop Haber,

February, pg 10.

-Toprak, U. 2013. Diary of a ladybug V. Köy-Koop Haber, January, pg 9.

-Toprak, U. 2012. Diary of a ladybug IV. Köy-Koop Haber, November, pg 9.

-Toprak, U. 2012. Diary of a ladybug III. Köy-Koop Haber, October, pg 9.

-Toprak, U. 2012. Diary of a ladybug II. Köy-Koop Haber, August, pg 9.

-Toprak, U. 2012. Diary of a ladybug I. Köy-Koop Haber, July, pg 9.

-Toprak, U. 2012. Who says bugs don’t get sick? Köy-Koop Haber, June, pg 10.

-Toprak, U. 2012. A letter from the field: “Mr. Mantis”. Köy-Koop Haber, May, pg 10.

-Toprak, U. 2012. Agriculture in space? Köy-Koop Haber, April, pg 10.

-Toprak, U. 2012. Agriculture in 2050? Köy-Koop Haber, March, pg 10.

-Toprak, U. 2012. Genetically modified organisms: A rescuer or a nightmare scenario?

Köy-Koop Haber, February, pg 16.

13. Membership in Professional Societies

Entomological Society of America

Society for Invertebrate Pathology

Entomological Society of Saskatchewan

Entomological Society of Ankara University

Insect Genetic Technology Research Coordination Network

The Union of the Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects, The Chamber of

Agricultural Engineers

Entomological Society of Turkey

14. Hobies

History (first world war; general situation of Ottoman Empire by end of 19. Century)

Literature (writing on daily science topics in scientific magazines for public)

Music (playing electro guitar and composing songs; worked as a chorist in Turkish Radio

Television (1999/2001) Chorus ve Mersin State Opera and Ballet (1995/1996) Chorus.

umut toprak, ph.d. -...

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