Hulya Kirkici is Professor and the Department Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of South Alabama. She received B.S. and M.S. in physics from Middle East Technical University (METU), Turkey; and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Polytechnic University (currently NYU), NY. Previously, Dr. Kirkici was Professor of electrical and computer engineering at Auburn University (1992-2016), visiting scholar / consultant and Summer Faculty Fellow at the Air Force Research Laboratory – Wright Patterson Air Force Base, (2014-2015), and visiting scientist/engineer at NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL (1999-2000).
Dr. Kirkici is a Fellow of IEEE for “contributions to high frequency, high field dielectric breakdown and electrical insulation for space and aerospace power systems” (class of 2017), a recipient of the IEEE Eric O. Forster Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor given by the Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society (2015), IEEE William G. Dunbar Award “for continuing contribution to high-voltage and high frequency insulation research and engineering education,” (2014) and a recipient of the IEEE Sol Schneider Award “for continuing technical and administrative leadership in the power modulator and high voltage communities,” (2010).
Dr. Kirkici’s research interests span from electrical insulation and high-frequency dielectric breakdown to repetitive pulsed power. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal and conference articles and given plenary and invited talks nationally and internationally (USA, Turkey, Japan, S.Korea, and China). Dr. Kirkici is members of IEEE, American Physical Society (APS), Sigma Xi Scientific Honor Society, Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society, and American Association of University Women (AAUW).
Dr. Kirkici is a member of the IEEE-HKN Bridge Magazine Editorial Board (2020 – present) and a Governor –at-Large of the IEEE-HKN Board, member of IEEE N&A Committee, and Chair of the PSPB N&A (2020, 2021), and have served on the IEEE Access Editorial Board (2014 – 2019). Dr. Kirkici was the IEEE Vice President – Publications (2019); President of IEEE DEIS (2009-2010), Vice President of IEEE Sensors Council (2014-2015), Treasurer/Finance Chair of Publication Services and Products Board (PSPB) and a member of IEEE Finance Committee, among other volunteer services.