Deniz Berfin Karakoc

Anthony Bourdain once said, “Food may not be the answer to world peace, but it’s a start.”

Good food may have the power to transform the human experience, but not all of us have equal access to it. According to the 2023 Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, approximately 28 million Americans did not have enough to eat last week.

Industrial engineer and rising leader in the study of agri-food flow networks, Deniz Berfin Karakoc, is out to tackle challenges like these on both a national and global scale.

“The ultimate goal of my research is to provide practical, implementable strategies that make food affordable and available for everyone — at all times,” she says.

Karakoc joins the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, as assistant professor in industrial engineering. She was awarded her doctoral degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and was an invited attendee at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Rising Stars early career workshop at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now at ASU, she will play a key part in the rapid growth of the school’s highly ranked industrial engineering program.

The early-career researcher has already been as busy as popcorn on a skillet. Her work on enhancing the multi-dimensional resilience of agri-food trade networks, transportation systems and interdependent infrastructures has appeared in numerous publications, including the peer-reviewed journal Nature Food.

Karakoc was drawn to industrial engineering by the field’s ability to deliver real solutions that can impact social good and improve people’s day-to-day lives. She believes her new home at ASU is the perfect place to continue her impactful work.

“It’s the ideal place for me,” Karakoc says. “The School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence offers valuable faculty support, a collaborative environment, a strategic location in regard to my research focus and strong leadership in sustainability initiatives.”

Her teaching efforts will begin in the spring. Meanwhile, Karakoc looks to recruit motivated doctoral students who are passionate about finding solutions to issues related to food insecurity.

“My students can expect to become a part of a diverse and collaborative research group where they will be fully supported to achieve their goals,” she says.

In her spare time, Karakoc loves to travel. Thus far, she has visited 15 countries on four continents.

“And still counting!” she adds.

Meet the newest faculty members of the Fulton Schools of Engineering here.

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Written by Kelly deVos