Yasarer
Even before Hakan Yasarer joined the University of Mississippi faculty last fall, the civil engineering instructor already felt that he would enjoy working here.
“I was impressed by the history of the university and I enjoyed the campus atmosphere,” Yasarer said. “Most importantly, I found a work environment as I had always imagined. An environment with respectful people, who are willing to help and share, who are passionate about their work and have a high degree of professionalism.”
Yasarer teaches ENGR 309, Statics, CE 207, Surveying, and three civil engineering laboratories. His research interests include developing prediction models using the Artificial Neural Network approach in CE applications and decision-making in engineering prediction systems.
“I have the opportunity to work with faculty who are scholarly recognized, and at the same time friendly and accommodating,” he said. “Seeing the faculty and staff’s effort to improve the quality of engineering education and to help students develop their careers and be successful after finishing their degree is what I like most about my job and my department.”
Yasarer has gained the respect of his new UM colleagues.
“Hakan is a fantastic and much-needed addition to the civil engineering family,” said Yacoub “Jacob” Najjar, chair and professor of civil engineering. “Hakan, since joining our department, has successfully taught an array of CE and engineering courses. Our students will surely enjoy his teaching style and benefit greatly from his devotion to teaching.”
Yasarer received his bachelor’s degree at Mustafa Kemal University in Turkey, and his master’s and doctoral degrees at Kansas State University. Before coming to UM, he was employed at KSU as a graduate teaching and research assistant for six years.
“During my graduate studies, I received the Transportation Center “Ph.D. Student of the Year” award and scholarship,” Yasarer said. “But my most fulfilling achievement was receiving excellent teaching evaluations over the six years as a graduate teaching assistant.”
Yasarer and his wife, Lindsey, live in Oxford. His hobbies include music and photography.
“I play jazz, classical and flamenco guitar, the ney (a Turkish folk flute), the Western flute and several other traditional flutes,” he said. “I also compose music and I’ve played jazz guitar with the K-State big band and jazz combos.”
In photography, Yasarer uses both film and digital cameras. He had two photo exhibitions of his collected work in Kansas.
“I’m looking forward to exploring Mississippi with my camera,” Yasarer said. “So far, my experience here has been wonderful.”