Prof. Dr. Mahfuz Elmastas | Phytotherapy | Best Innovation Award
Professor | University of Health Sciences | Turkey
Prof. Dr. Mahfuz Elmastas is an accomplished academic and researcher with extensive contributions to biochemistry, phytochemistry, and natural product research. He has built his career across leading Turkish universities, combining teaching, research, and administrative leadership. He is currently a Professor at Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Hamidiye Eczacılık Fakültesi, where he continues to advance studies in phytotherapy, biochemistry, and natural medicinal compounds. His career has been distinguished by significant achievements in both academic and applied sciences, especially in the fields of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory research. Beyond research, Prof. Elmaştaş has taken on major administrative responsibilities, serving as faculty board member, department chair, and director of research centers. He has also been a key figure in scientific committees and national research projects, bridging academia and policy. His dedication to advancing knowledge and mentoring young scholars has established him as a leading authority in his field and a highly respected educator.
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Education
Prof. Dr. Mahfuz Elmastas began his academic training with a degree in Chemistry from Yıl University, where he gained a strong foundation in chemical sciences. He then pursued graduate studies at Karadeniz Technical University, completing a master’s program in Biochemistry at the Institute of Health Sciences. His research during this period focused on the biochemical analysis of biomolecules and their applications in health sciences. He later advanced to doctoral studies in the same institute, earning his Ph.D. in Biochemistry, with a focus on the structural and functional properties of natural products and their biological activities. His academic path combined experimental laboratory research with theoretical approaches, which enabled him to develop a multidisciplinary perspective spanning chemistry, biology, and medicine. The combination of this strong educational background provided him with the expertise necessary to integrate natural product chemistry into health-oriented biochemical research, laying the foundation for his future scientific and academic success.
Experience
Prof. Dr. Mahfuz Elmastas has held diverse academic and administrative positions throughout his career. He started as a research assistant at Gaziosmanpaşa University, where he spent more than a decade developing his expertise and contributing to teaching and research activities. After completing his doctorate, he was appointed as Assistant Professor, later advancing to Associate Professor and eventually Professor in the Faculty of Science and Letters at the same university. He subsequently joined Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Hamidiye Eczacılık Fakültesi, where he continues as a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry. In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities, he has served as Senate Member, Department Chair, and Director of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Application and Research Center. His administrative duties have also included leading commissions, contributing to ethical review boards, and shaping institutional policies. These experiences demonstrate his strong capacity for academic leadership, research excellence, and institutional development.
Research Interest
The research interests of Prof. Dr. Mahfuz Elmastas center on biochemistry, phytotherapy, natural product chemistry, and functional foods. He has conducted extensive studies on the isolation, characterization, and biological activity of phytochemicals from medicinal plants. His focus includes evaluating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and pharmacological properties of plant-based compounds with potential health benefits. His research also explores the ethnopharmacological aspects of traditional herbal medicine, linking them to modern biochemical and pharmaceutical applications. He is particularly interested in chromatography and metabolite profiling methods to identify and analyze bioactive molecules. In addition, he has expanded his work into nanotechnology-based approaches, investigating the synthesis of nanoparticles from plant extracts for therapeutic use. His multidisciplinary research strategy integrates experimental biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and applied medicine, bridging traditional and modern scientific approaches. The long-term goal of his research is to develop evidence-based phytotherapeutic products that can complement conventional treatments and contribute to human health.
Awards and Recognition
Prof. Dr. Mahfuz Elmastas has received recognition for his contributions to scientific research, academic leadership, and service to the scientific community. He has actively participated in national and international congresses, serving as a keynote speaker, scientific committee member, and congress chair. His leadership was particularly visible when he chaired the Chromatography Congress held in Tokat, which highlighted his expertise in separation sciences and natural product chemistry. He has been a board member and advisor in national scientific committees, including those of TÜBİTAK and the Ministry of Agriculture, where he contributed to the evaluation of medicinal plants and food additives. His guidance in these committees has influenced national research policies and the regulation of natural health products. In addition, he has been entrusted with leading multiple research projects funded by TÜBİTAK and university-based grants. These awards and responsibilities reflect his dual role as both a leading researcher and a policy-shaping academic.
Top Noted Publications
Prof. Dr. Mahfuz Elmastas has an extensive record of publications in internationally recognized journals, focusing on natural products, phytotherapy, and biochemical sciences. His work has been cited widely and has influenced multiple fields including pharmacology, phytochemistry, and food sciences. Selected publications include:
Title: Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench. and Antennaria dioica (L.) Gaertn. Flowers
Journal: Molecules (MDPI)
Year: 2018
Title: Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Helichrysum arenarium Extracts: A Comprehensive LC-MS/MS and Antioxidant Analysis
Journal: Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım ve Doğa Dergisi
Year: 2025
Title: Phenolic Compounds and Biological Activity of Selected Mentha Species
Journal: Plants (MDPI)
Year: 2021
Title: Anti-Inflammatory Phytoconstituents of Origanum majorana
Journal: Journal of Food Quality (Wiley)
Year: 2022
Title: Bio-active compounds and major biomedical properties of basil (Ocimum basilicum, Lamiaceae)
Journal: Likely Phytochemistry
Year: 2024
Conclusion
Prof. Dr. Mahfuz Elmastas stands out as a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Innovation Award. His career reflects a unique combination of academic excellence, leadership, and impactful research in biochemistry and phytotherapy. He has pioneered studies on medicinal plants, bioactive compounds, and their therapeutic applications, building a bridge between traditional knowledge and modern science. With his proven track record of securing research funding, mentoring young scientists, and establishing vital research laboratories, he exemplifies innovation in both theory and practice.