The project titled "Detection of Addiction with Oct Images: Estimation of Methamphetamine and Heroin Use", conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Baygın, a faculty member of the Computer Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture of Erzurum Technical University (ETU), has been awarded support within the scope of the TUBITAK 1001 Scientific and Technological Research Projects Support Program.

The project, which offers innovative methods for the detection and treatment of drug addiction, is being advised by Prof. Dr. Sengul Dogan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Turker Tuncer, faculty members of the Department of Forensic Computer Engineering at Fırat University, while Specialist Dr. Nilifer Gurbuzer from the Department of Psychiatry at Erzurum City Hospital, Alev Lazoglu Ozkaya from the Department of Biochemistry, Specialist Dr. Bahadır Utlu from the Department of Ophthalmology, and Assistant Professor Nursena Baygın from the Department of Computer Engineering at ETU are participating as researchers.

Making statements regarding the developed project, Project Manager Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baygın stated that they offered an innovative approach for early detection of methamphetamine and heroin use using Optical Coherence Tomography imaging technology and said: “Our project will last 36 months and will be provided with a budget support of 1.7 million TL. The TUBITAK 1001 program supports basic research projects and has an acceptance rate of approximately 15% in the recent period. We believe that our project, which has been successful in this difficult process, will provide important scientific contributions in the field of combating addiction.”

Corporate Communications Directorate, 11.09.2024