Assist. Prof. Dr. Seçil Karahüseyin | Pharmacognosy | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr., Cukurova University, Turkey

Asst. Prof. Dr. Seçil Karahüseyin is a dedicated pharmacognosist at Çukurova University’s Faculty of Pharmacy. She earned her B.S., M.S. (2011–2015), and Ph.D. (2015–2021) from Istanbul University, specializing in professional pharmaceutical sciences. During her doctoral studies, she conducted in-depth pharmacognostic research on Taraxacum mirabile and Taraxacum gracilens species, characterizing their phenolic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Since 2025, she has been serving as an Assistant Professor at Çukurova University, where she excels in both teaching and research. With seven journal articles in peer-reviewed SCI, ESCI, and AHCI-indexed publications and a book chapter on bioactive medicinal plants, Dr. Karahüseyin is emerging as a rising scholar in natural product pharmacology. She is also active in professional development and academic mentorship. Her global researcher profiles include ORCID, Publons/Web of Science, and Scopus—showcasing her commitment to research integrity and international scholarly engagement.

Professional Profile

• ORCID Profile

Education

Dr. Seçil Karahüseyin’s academic journey exhibits rigorous training in pharmaceutical sciences. She earned her Ph.D. (2015–2021) in Professional Pharmaceutical Sciences from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Pharmacy, with her dissertation titled “Pharmacognostic Studies on Taraxacum mirabile Wagenitz” (2017). Prior to that, she completed her postgraduate studies (M.S.) at the same institution (2011–2015), focusing on “Chemical Constituents of Taraxacum gracilens Dahlst. Roots” (2015). These programs involved advanced coursework and laboratory training in pharmacognosy, HPLC–MS, GC–MS, phytochemical analysis, and bioactivity assays. In addition, during her studies she completed a vocational “Trainer of Trainers” program (2020) and Occupational Health and Safety training (2015) at Istanbul University. Her education reflects comprehensive expertise in phytochemistry, natural product isolation, analytical methodologies, and safety protocols, enabling her to make significant contributions to plant-based therapeutic research.

Experience

Dr. Seçil Karahüseyin has built a strong trajectory in academia and research. She began her professional career in 2013 as a Research Assistant at Çukurova University’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, before moving to Istanbul University’s Faculty of Pharmacy (2014–2021). During her Ph.D. tenure (2015–2021), she led laboratory investigations into the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of endemic Taraxacum species. After completing her doctorate, she returned to Çukurova University as a Research Assistant (2021–2025) and was promoted to Assistant Professor in March 2025, where she continues to teach, supervise students, and manage research projects. Her roles include designing experiments, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in pharmacognosy, mentoring early-career researchers, and publishing in internationally indexed journals. She also participates in faculty training workshops on teaching methods and safety. Her academic and professional trajectory underscores her commitment to integrative education and scholarly excellence.

Research Focus

Dr. Karahüseyin’s research centers on the pharmacognosy of endemic medicinal plants, especially species of Taraxacum. Her work involves isolation and structural elucidation of phenolic compounds using HPLC–MS and GC–MS, followed by evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. She has characterized bioactive molecules in T. mirabile, T. gracilens, and other regional flora like Myrtus communis and Citrus sinensis, with a focus on their therapeutic potential. Her research bridges phytochemistry and pharmacology, contributing to natural product discovery and nutraceutical development. She also investigates traditional ethnopharmacological uses of plants – for example, treatments for diarrhea – combining modern analytical tools with cultural knowledge. Currently, her projects aim to explore medicinal plant extracts for complementary and alternative therapies, with applications in health sciences. She also engages in scholarly collaborations and contributes to book chapters on medicinal plant biotechnology, highlighting her ongoing commitment to natural product science.

Publication Top Notes

1. Investigations on the Endemic Species Taraxacum mirabile Wagenitz: HPLC–MS and GC–MS Studies, Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti‑Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Properties, and Isolation of Several Phenolic Compounds
   Plants, vol. 13, no. 23, 2024. Authors: Karahüseyin S., Özsoy N., Özbek Çelik B., Sarı A.
   Summary: Comprehensive phytochemical profiling via HPLC–MS and GC–MS revealed several phenolic compounds. Extracts exhibited potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, suggesting pharmaceutical potential.

2. Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant and Anti‑Inflammatory Activities of Taraxacum gracilens Dahlst. Aerial Parts
   Farmacia, vol. 71, no. 3, pp. 612–616, 2023. Karahüseyin S., Yılmaz‑Özden T., Özsoy N., Sarı A.
   Summary: Identified phenolic constituents in T. gracilens aerial parts and demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy in vitro, supporting its therapeutic value.

3. Antioxidant Capacity of Essential Oils Obtained from Myrtus communis L. and Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Plants Widely Consumed in Adana Region
   Cumhuriyet Science Journal, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 470–473, 2023. Nenni M., Karahüseyin S.
   Summary: Essential oils from local plants exhibited strong radical scavenging activity, pointing to nutritional and pharmaceutical applications in the region.

4. Antioxidant Activity and Three Phenolic Compounds from the Roots of Taraxacum gracilens Dahlst.
   Istanbul Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 69–72, 2022. Karahüseyhin S., Sarı A., Özsoy N.
   Summary: Isolated three key phenolics with verified antioxidant activity from T. gracilens roots, reinforcing the species’ medicinal properties.

5. Investigation of Antioxidant Activity of Taraxacum farinosum Hausskn. & Bornm.
   Istanbul University Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 13–19, 2020. Sarı A., Özsoy N., Karahüseyhin S.
   Summary: Evaluated root extracts’ antioxidant effects for T. farinosum, further confirming Taraxacum genus’ bioactive potential.

6. Plants Used in Traditional Treatment Against Diarrhea in Turkey
   Istanbul Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 33–44, 2019. Karahuseyin S., Sarı A.
   Summary: A survey-based study documenting ethnobotanical use of plants in Turkey for diarrheal treatment, providing foundational data for future pharmacological validation.

7. Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Taraxacum gracilens Dahlst. Aerial Parts
   Planta Medica, 2013. Sari A., Karahüseyhin S., Özsoy N., Özden T.
   Summary: Early investigation isolating phenolic compounds from aerial parts and confirming their antioxidant capacity.

8. Book Chapter: Medicinal Plants, Secondary Metabolites, and Their Antiallergic Activities in Biotechnology of Medicinal Plants with Antiallergy Properties, 2024.
   Summary: Co-authored a chapter reviewing bioactive metabolites with antiallergic potential, reflecting integration of natural product chemistry and immunopharmacology.

Conclusion

Asst. Prof. Dr. Seçil Karahüseyin demonstrates strong academic credentials, a focused and productive research trajectory, and growing national recognition in the field of pharmacognosy and pharmaceutical sciences. Her in-depth work on medicinal plants and bioactive compounds is both scientifically and socially relevant.