The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society (IEEE CS) has elected Professor Damla Turgut, the chair of the UCF Department of Computer Science, to its Board of Governors. She will serve a two-year term, playing a pivotal role in guiding strategy and direction for the organization that furthers the interests of its 375,000 members worldwide.
Turgut brings a wealth of valuable experience to the board, including serving back-to-back terms as the organization’s chair for the technical community on computer communications (TCCC) since 2022. In addition to sponsoring a number of conferences focusing on computer networks and communication each year, TCCC fosters activities, facilitates information exchange, and encourages the development of systems that integrate communication capabilities with computing technologies.
“I am honored and humbled to be elected to the Board of Governors of the IEEE Computer Society. I look forward to contributing to the strategic decisions that shape the future of the society and its role in advancing technology,” Turgut says. “I believe my experience as an academic researcher and department chair, as well as my roles in the TCCC and N2Women will be beneficial towards achieving the Computer Society’s strategic plan.”
Turgut’s decision to take on a more senior role through board involvement was influenced by the highest of recommendations: those from her peers. She says several colleagues on the TCCC executive committee encouraged her to apply.
“I am well-positioned to support the engagement of more students and early-career professionals,” says Turgut. “This has always been one of the central themes of my professional service activities. Furthermore, my current work aims to empower and diversify the volunteer base by promoting broader involvement in the society’s activities.”
Turgut received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her research interests include wireless ad hoc, sensor, underwater and vehicular networks, cloud computing, smart cities, IoT-enabled healthcare and augmented reality, as well as considerations of privacy in the Internet of Things.
She is also interested in applying big-data techniques for improving STEM education for women and minorities and leads the broadening participation in computing efforts in the department. Her honors and awards include the Women of Distinction Award by the UCF Faculty Excellence Center for Success of Women Faculty, the UCF Research Incentive Award, and the University Excellence Award in Professional Service. She was also featured in the UCF Women Making History series.
Turgut joined UCF in 2002 as an assistant professor, was selected as the chair of the department in 2022 and was named a Pegasus Professor, the highest faculty honor bestowed at UCF, in 2024. She serves as the PI for the NSF REU site on Research Experiences on Internet of Things (IoT) as well as the Co-PI for NSF RET Site on Collaborative Multidisciplinary Engineering Design Experiences for Teachers (CoMET) programs.
She has published in 53 journals, 130 conferences, written six book chapters and one book. She has more than 6,500 citations and an h-index of 35 in Google Scholar. Turgut has received funding from a variety of agencies, including the National Science Foundation, U.S. Army, Department of Energy and the Gates Foundation.
Story by Bel Huston