Mr. Semih Akkoç | Semantic Communication | Best Researcher Award

Mahmut Semih Akkoç is an exceptional undergraduate researcher and double-major student in Electrical & Electronics Engineering and Physics at Bilkent University, Türkiye. With a strong academic record and hands-on experience across top R&D institutions, Semih is a rising innovator in semantic signal processing, computational electromagnetics, and quantum systems. His interdisciplinary background, including an exchange program at the National University of Singapore, highlights his global perspective and commitment to cutting-edge research. He is the first author of a peer-reviewed article in The Journal of the Franklin Institute, demonstrating practical advancements in semantic communications using affordable hardware.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Education 🎓📚

• B.Sc. in Electrical & Electronics Engineering
  Bilkent University, Türkiye | Sep 2021 – May 2025 (anticipated)

• Double Major in Physics
  Bilkent University, Türkiye | Sep 2022 – May 2025 (anticipated)

• Exchange Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering
  National University of Singapore | Jan 2024 – May 2024
  Focus: Quantum Communication & Cryptography, Quantum Mechanics, Probability

Professional Experience 🧑‍🏫💼

• Undergraduate Researcher – Bilkent University (Feb 2023–Present)
  Semantic Signal Processing & Computational Electromagnetics

  • Demonstrated semantic signal processing using Raspberry Pi setups

  • Simulated electromagnetic wave scattering using Method of Moments

• R&D Intern – Huawei Türkiye (Jun 2023 – Aug 2023)

  • Built a goal-oriented semantic camera network using Raspberry Pi and TCP

  • Achieved 143% data reduction and 67.2% fusion accuracy improvement

• Summer Intern – Aselsan (Aug 2024 – Sep 2024)

  • Simulated a ring resonator for dielectric material measurement using MATLAB and CST Studio

  • Designed a reusable lookup-based estimation tool for antenna materials

• Summer Intern – BİTES Defence & Aerospace Technologies (Jun 2022 – Aug 2022)

  • Developed a multithreaded file transfer system using C++ and design patterns

Research Interest 🔬📈

• Semantic signal processing & goal-oriented communications

• Quantum communication and information theory

• Computational electromagnetics

• AI-assisted sensor fusion

• VHDL and embedded systems for communication

• Low-cost hardware implementation of advanced protocols

Publications Top Noted

📝 Title:

Practical Hardware Demonstration of a Multi-Sensor Goal-Oriented Semantic Signal Processing and Communications Network

👨‍💼 Authors:

Mahmut Semih Akkoç, A. Çınar, B. Ercan, M. Kalfa, O. Arıkan
(Equal contribution by first author)

🏛️ Published In:

The Journal of the Franklin Institute, Volume 362, Issue 1, 2024/2025

Conclusion 🌟🎯

Mr. Mahmut Semih Akkoç is an exceptional and well-rounded candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His rare combination of academic brilliance, hands-on innovation, cross-disciplinary agility, and early publication success positions him as a future leader in semantic communications and next-generation network systems.

His work has already contributed significantly to making semantic processing more practical and hardware-implementable, especially in low-cost and scalable configurations, which aligns with the goals of future intelligent communication systems like 6G and IoT.