Meet the HONEY Pathway Team
Project Director
Vice Provost
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Kelly.Nash@utsa.edu
Co-Project Director
Ferhat Ozturk, Ph.D.
Sul Ross State University International
Program of Biology
Ferhat.Ozturk@SulRoss.edu
Affiliate: The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Physics
Ferhat.Ozturk@utsa.edu
Dr. Ozturk is the co-Project Director of the HONEY Pathway and an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He earned his Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Nevada, Reno, with expertise in gene therapy, bioinformatics, and biochemistry.
Recognized by the American Beekeeping Federation as a medicinal honey expert, Dr. Ozturk combines a strong biomedical background with a passion for exploring honey's therapeutic potential. His research investigates the biological and chemical profiles of mono-floral honeys from around the world, aiming to identify high-bioactivity U.S. honeys that rival or surpass current medical-grade options.
Dr. Ozturk leads a $2.9 million USDA-NextGen grant to support the HONEY Pathway, a national initiative to advance medicinal honey research while engaging students in hands-on education focused on local honeys. His work has been featured by Newsweek, Fortune, Science, and numerous local news channels and newspapers.
Outside of research and teaching, he enjoys spending time in nature, traveling, and participating in social responsibility projects with his wife and two children.
Co-Project Director
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Biology, Health, and the Environment
Amelia.King-Kostelac@utsa.edu
Project Coordinator
Yilmaz Ozmen, Ph.D.
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Biology, Health, and the Environment
Yilmaz.Ozmen@utsa.edu
Dr. Ozmen serves as a Program/Project Coordinator at the UTSA College of Sciences, supporting research development and strategic program initiatives. With over two decades of experience, he brings extensive expertise in grant management, international research evaluation, and science policy. His career includes leadership of regional innovation programs, oversight of more than $25 million in development funding, and evaluation of over 100 proposals under major European research frameworks. A recipient of 30+ professional certifications, including from MIT and Harvard, and author of 60+ scientific publications, Dr. Ozmen integrates academic rigor with programmatic precision to advance impactful research and institutional excellence.
Graduate Students
Amber Arooj
Ph.D. Candidate
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Amber.Arooj@utsa.edu
Anita Shayan
Ph.D. Student
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Anita.Shayan@my.utsa.edu
Undergraduate Assistants
Ana Malo
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Biology, Health, and the Environment
Ana.Malo@utsa.edu
Michelle Orieulla-Milligan
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Biology, Health, and the Environment
Michelle.Orihuela-Milligan
