Thesis:

[2016] Yusuf Küçükağa. “Effect of Geotextile Layer on Leachate Quality in Recirculated Landfill Bioreactor” Gebze Technical University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Environmental Engineering, Master of Science Thesis, Gebze-TURKEY.

[2023] Yusuf Küçükağa. “A Novel Hybrid Thermochemical-Biological Refinery Integrated with Power-to-X Approach for Obtaining Biopolymers”, Double Degree Doctorate (Co-tutelle):

- Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Dipartimento di Chimica "G. Ciamician", Bologna-ITALIA.

- Gebze Technical University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Environmental Engineering, Gebze-TURKEY.

Patents :

[2024 – Under Examination] “A Biotechnological Procedure for the Production of PHA” Italian Patent and Trademark Office. Designated Inventors: Yusuf Küçükağa, Cristian Torri, Giorgia Pagliano, Alisar Kiwan, Daniele Pirini, Eleonora Torricelli, Andrea Bassi, Davide Collini. Asignee: B-Plas sbrl - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna

Projects :

[2022-Devam] Yürütücü: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chiara Samorì “CROSS-LIFE: CROtonic acid from Sewage Sludge” European Council funded. LIFE Programme / LIFE21-ENV-IT-CROSS-LIFE/101074164 Kurum: University of Bologna – IT. Görevi: Research Fellow

[2019-2023] : Yürütücü: Doç. Dr. Serdar KARA “Atıkların Biyorafineri Konseptiyle Faydalı Son Ürünlere Dönüşümü: Sentez Gazından Biyoplastik Fermantasyonu” Bilimsel Araştırma Projesi (GTÜ102). Kurum: Gebze Teknik Üniversitesi. Görevi: Araştırmacı

[02/2020-09/2021] Danışman: Dr. Cristian TORRI “Organik Atıkların Biyomalzemelere Dönüştürülmesi İçin Termokimyasal-Biyolojik Hibrit Proses Geliştirilmesi” YÖK-YUDAB Araştırma Görevlileri Yurt Dışı Burs Programı. Kurum: University of Bologna – IT. Görevi: Yürütücü

[09/2021-12/2022] Danışman: Dr. Cristian TORRI “Yenilikçi Termokimyasal-Biyolojik Hibrit Sentez Gazi Biyorafinerisiyle Organik Atiklardan Katma Değerli Biyoplastik Üretimi” TÜBİTAK 2214-A Yurt Dışı Doktora Sırası Araştırma Burs Programı. Kurum: University of Bologna – IT. Görevi: Yürütücü

Papers published in peer-reviewed journals :

[2024] Petri, E., Heigl, E. M., Fasolini, A., Zeilerbauer, L., Giovannucci, M., Küçükağa, Y., Torri, C., F. Basile; Soavi, F. “Conversion of Biodigestate into Activated Carbon for Electrochemical Application: Process Performance and Life Cycle Assessment”. Carbon (Q1, IF:10.9), 119221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2024.119221

[2024] Küçükağa, Y., Facchin, A., Kara, S., Torri, C. (2024). Analytical evaluation of the performance of pyrolysis-gasification (Py-Gs) combination within hybrid thermochemical-biological biorefinery. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis (Q1, IF:6.0), 106544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2024.106544

[2023] Küçükağa, Y., Facchin, A., Stefanelli V., Constantini F., Kara S., Torri C.* “Innovative char-sparger for improving volatile fatty acids (VFA) production in homoacetogenic fermentation of H2/ CO2 with microbial mixed cultures (MMC)” Chemical Engineering Journal (Q1, IF:15.1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.144165

[2023] Facchin, A., Küçükağa, Y., D. Fabbri, Torri, C.* “Analytical evaluation of the coupling of hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis (HTC-Py) for the obtainment of bioavailable products” Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis (Q1, IF:6.0). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2023.106185

[2023] Nayır, T.Y.*, Çiftci, H.N., Konuk, S., Küçük, B., Küçükağa, Y., Kara, S. “Single-stage biopolymer production with yeast industry wastewater: effect of SRT and OLR on biopolymer production yield” Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04220-x

[2023] Development of a Novel Biochar-made Porous Monolith for Enhanced C1 and H2 Fermentation.; MethodsX. Authors: Küçükağa, Y.*, Facchin, A., Alfonsi, A., Costantini, F., Kara, S., Torri, C. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102296

[2022] Küçükağa, Y., Facchin, A., Kara S., Yılmaz Nayır T., Scicchitano D., Rampelli S., Candela M., Torri, C.* Conversion of Pyrolysis Products into Volatile Fatty Acids with a Biochar-Packed Anaerobic Bioreactor. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research. DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c02810

[2022] Cristian Torri*, Lorenzo Favaro, Andrea Facchin, Yusuf Küçükağa, Alessandro Girolamo Rombolà, Daniele Fabbri. "Could Pyrolysis Substitute Hydrolysis in 2nd Generation Biomass Valorization Strategies? A Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Approach", Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 163, 105467. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaap.2022.105467

[2022] Yusuf Küçükağa, Andrea Facchin*, Cristian Torri, Serdar Kara. "An Original Arduino-Controlled Anaerobic Bioreactor Packed with Biochar as a Porous Filter Media", MethodsX, 101615. DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2021.101615

[2021] Cevat Yaman*, Suriya Rehman*, Tanveer Ahmad, Yusuf Kucukaga, Burcu Pala, Noor AlRushaid, Syed Riyaz Ul Hassan, Ayse Burcu Yaman. “Community Structure of Bacteria and Archaea Associated with Geotextile Filters in Anaerobic Bioreactor Landfills”, Processes, 9(8), 1377. DOI: 10.3390/pr9081377

[2019] Cevat Yaman*, Yusuf Küçükağa, Burcu Pala, Gülşah Delice, Nafiz Eyüp Korkut, Abdurrahman Akyol, Serdar Kara. “Enhancement of landfill gas production and waste stabilisation by using geotextile filter in a bioreactor landfill”, International Journal of Global Warming, 17(1), 1-22. DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2019.096757

[2018] Nafiz E. Korkut*, Cevat Yaman, Yusuf Küçükağa, Megan K. Jaunich, İbrahim Demir, “Greenhouse gas contribution of municipal solid waste collection – A case study in the city of Istanbul, Turkey” Waste Management and Research, 36(2), 131-139. DOI: 10.1177/0734242X17744656

[2017] Cevat Yaman*, Yusuf Küçükağa, "Effect of a geotextile filter on leachate quality in a recirculated landfill bioreactor" Desalination and Water Treatment, 80(2017), 61-73. DOI: 10.5004/dwt.2017.20906

Conference Proceedings :

[2016] Yusuf Küçükağa, Cevat Yaman, Gülşah Delice, Burcu Pala. “Operational Start-Up of Lab-Scale Anaerobic Landfill Bioreactor” 2nd International Conference on Engineering and Natural Science (ICENS), pg. 834, Sarajevo-BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA, 24-28 May (POSTER).

[2017] Yusuf Küçükağa, Cevat Yaman, Burcu Pala, Gülşah Delice. "Usi Geotextile Filter as Biofilm Media in Anaerobic Landfill Bioreactor" 5th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management (ATHENS2017), Athens-GREECE, 21-24.

[2018] Cevat Yaman, Yusuf Küçükağa, Gülşah Delice, Burcu Pala. “Improving Leachate Quality and Landfill Gas Production in Pilot Scale Landfill Bioreactors Containing Sewage Sludge and Geotextile Biofilters” Water Environment Federation Conference (WEFTEC2018), New Orleans-LA, 29 September - 3 October.

[2020] Cevat Yaman, Yusuf Kucukaga. “Performance of NiO/YSZ anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell fueled with landfill gas stream” 2020 International Conference on Sustainable Futures: Environmental, Technological, Social and Economic Matters (ICSF), vol. 166, Kryvyi Rih-UKRAINE, 20-22 May. DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202016604007

[2021] Yusuf Küçükağa, Andrea Facchin, Serdar Kara, Daniele Fabbri, Cristian Torri “Revalorization of Biomass Through a Hybrid Thermochemical-Biological Biorefinery Concept: Pyrolysis Liquid and Syngas as Feedstock for Building Block Chemicals Fermentation” 3rd International Conference for Bioresource Technology for Bioenergy, Bioproducts and Environmental Sustainability, Online – Live and On-demand, 17–19 May.

[2021] Andrea Facchin, Yusuf Küçükağa, Cristian Torri, Serdar Kara, Daniele Fabbri. “Thermochemical-Biological Systems: Pyrolysis Products as a source of green chemicals” 5th European Chemical Society Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry (5th EuGSC), Virtual Conference, 26-29 September.

[2022] Andrea Facchin, Adriano Parodi, Yusuf Küçükağa, Cristian Torri, Daniele Fabbri. “Fermentable sugars obtainment through pyrolysis and hydrolysis of water-soluble pyrolysis products over solid acid catalyst” 23rd edition of the International Conference on Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis (PYRO 2022), Ghent-BELGIUM, 15-20 May.

[2022] Yusuf Küçükağa, Andrea Facchin, Cristian Torri, Serdar Kara. “Microbial Funneling of Pyrolysis Product for the Production of Green Chemicals: Preliminary Investigations with Microbial Mixed Cultures” 19th edition of the International Conference on Renewable Resources Biorefineries (RRB 2022), Bruge-BELGIUM, 1-3 June.

[2022] Andrea Facchin, Yusuf Küçükağa, Aaron Alfonsi, Cristian Torri, Serdar Kara. “Improvement of power to PHA pathway: Mixed culture fermentation of hydrogen within biochar based materials” 19th edition of the International Conference on Renewable Resources Biorefineries (RRB 2022), Bruge-BELGIUM, 1-3 June.

[2022] Cristian Torri, Vittoria Stefanelli, Yusuf Küçükağa, Beatrice Galaverni, Agustino Seritti, Andrea Facchin. “Hyperthermophilic fermentation of Food Waste allows the reliable recovery of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) by means of stripping” 9th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management (CORFU 2022), Corfu-GREECE, 15-18 June.

[2022] Yusuf Küçükağa, Andrea Facchin, Cristian Torri, Serdar Kara. “Inorganic Gasses into Organic Acids for Polyhydroxyalkanoates Production: An Inteted Lab-Scale System for the Syngas Fermentation Coupled PHA Production” 9th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management (CORFU 2022), Corfu-GREECE, 15-18 June.

[2023] Andrea Facchin, Cristian Torri, Yusuf Kucukaga, Daniele Fabbri. “From Biomass to Sugars, HTC-Pyrolysis Approach” EUBCE 2023 | 31st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, Bologna-ITALY, 5-8 June.

[2023] Andrea Facchin, Cristian Torri, Yusuf Kucukaga, Daniele Fabbri. “Pyrolysis’s Aqueous-Phase Liquid (APL) upgrade through Hydrothermal-Carbonization pre-treatment” Pyroliq II: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes, Vienna-AUSTRIA, 7-12 May.

[2023] Yusuf Küçükağa, Vittoria Stefanelli, Andrea Facchin, Chiara Samori, Cristian Torri “Development of a Fully Continuous Microaerophilic-Aerobic Biochemical Process for Converting VFA-rich Streams into Polyhydroxyalkanoates” 6th EuChemS Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Salerno – ITALY | 3-6 Sept

[2023] Yusuf Küçükağa, Andrea Facchin, Serdar Kara, Cristian Torri “Integration of Pyrolysis and Gasification (Py-Gs) within Hybrid Thermochemical-Biological (HTB) Biorefinery Scheme as a New Strategy to Biomass Valorization” X Workshop Nazionale Gruppo Interdivisionale: Sostenibilità nella Valorizzazione di Biomasse ed Economia Circolare. Green Chemistry - 1a Giornata Congiunta con la Divisione di Chimica Industriale | 6 October

[2024] Y. Küçükağa, A. Facchin, V. Stefanelli, S. Kara, C. Torri. "Enhanced Anaerobic Fermentation of Organic Fatty Acids from C1 and H2 Gas Sources via Novel Char-Sparger Biofilm Reactor (CBSR)" 18th IWA World Conference on Anaerobic Digestion (IWA AD18), Istanbul-TÜRKİYE, June 2-6, 2024.

[2024] Cristian Torri, Yusuf Küçükaga, Alberto Crema, Andrea Facchin, Vanessa Spadavecchia, Alessandro Girolamo Rombolà, Daniele Fabbri. "Pyrolysis-Anaerobic Digestion (Py-AD) process as a novel tool for digestate valorization: analytical evaluation of process streams" 24th International Symposium on Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis (Pyro2024), Beijing-CHINA, 19–23 May, 2024.

[2024] C. Torri, Y. Küçükağa, A. Amiza, A. Facchin. "Mixed Culture Fermentation of C1 on biochar/polystyrene composites: performances with H2/CO2 and raw syngas" symposium C1ONTACT2024 (C1 fermentatiOn: receNT Advancements, Challenges &amp; outlook 2024), IFA Tulln/Austria (Hybrid), August 29-30, 2024.&#160;</span>

• ÇMB 315 Enerji ve Çevre

Tez eş-danışmanlıklar:

[02/2023 – 10/2023] Università di Bologna, Two-year master in Environmental Assessment and Management, Student: Vanessa Spadavecchia, Thesis: Development of an innovative method to produce biomethane through anaerobic digestion of liquids byproduct of biosolids pyrolysis.

• Doktora: .
  Double Doctoral Degree (Co-tutelle):
  Italy - University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician"
  Italia - Università di Bologna, Dipartimento di Chimica "G. Ciamician"
  (2020 - 2023)
  
  Gebze Technical University, Department of Environmental Engineering
  Gebze Teknik Üniversitesi, Çevre Mühendisliği Bölümü
  (2016 - 2023)
• Yüksek lisans: .
  Gebze Technical University, Department of Environmental Engineering
  Gebze Teknik Üniversitesi, Çevre Mühendisliği Bölümü
  (2014 - 2016)
• Lisans: .
  Sweden - Umeå University, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
  Sverige - Umeå universitet, Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och geovetenskap (EMG)
  (as an exchange student, 2011 - 2012)
  
  Sakarya University, Department of Environmental Engineering
  Sakarya Üniversitesi, Çevre Mühendisliği Bölümü
  (2009 - 2014)