Our faculty consists of dedicated academics plus industry professionals who are all acclaimed experts in their respective fields; they are all committed to contributing to high-quality education with the primary objective of educating members of the next generation to take their place in the tourism industry.
Jamel Ben Chafra, Senior Lecturer, Chair
Jamel Ben Chafra is the chair and a 1994 graduate of the department. He obtained his MBA degree from the Bilkent University Faculty of Business Administration, and was a recipient of the university’s distinguished teaching award in 2003. Jamel’s research focuses on leadership and finance; he has publications in journals that include the European Journal of Finance, the Journal of Health Organizations and Management, Management Research Review, and the American Journal of Business.
He teaches Finance, Hospitality Industry Accounting, Front Office Operations, Rooms Division Management, and Service Operations Management. Jamel speaks French and Arabic fluently. His hobbies include snooker, table tennis, and football; he is a passionate supporter of the Beşiktaş football team.
Office location: RA214
Phone number: + 90 312 290 5023
Email: chafra@bilkent.edu.tr
Ayşe Collins, Associate Professor & Associate Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences
Ayşe Collins has a Ph.D. from the Middle East Technical University (Ankara), where her thesis won the “Best Qualitative Ph.D. Thesis Award.” Her research interests cover human resources management, total quality management, labor law, and curriculum development and evaluation; she has publications in leading journals in the field, including Tourism Management, the Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, and the International Journal of Contemporary Hotel Management. She has also authored a book chapter concerning the rights of the disabled in the context of labor law.
In the department, Ayşe offers the Human Resources Management, Organizational Behavior, and Social Psychology and Research Methods courses. Ayşe is a nature lover; her hobbies include outdoor sports, skiing, and travel.
Office location: RA116
Phone number: + 90 312 290 5043
Email: collins@bilkent.edu.tr
Elif Denizci, Instructor
Elif Denizci has a degree from Gazi University, where she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. studies and writing a thesis on sustainable food preparation. She is a celebrity in Turkey, known for her gastronomy and culinary culture programs on TRT TV, and a winner of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’ 2009 National Young Commis Rôtisseurs Competition. Before joining Bilkent University, Elif was assistant to the executive chef at the Sheraton Ankara Hotel and Convention Center. As Chaîne des Rôtisseurs vice-conseiller culinaire of the bailliage, Region d’Ankara, and board member of Turkish Culinary Federation, Elif participates in national and international Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competitions as a judge.
Elif teaches International Cuisines in the department’s Practice Kitchen. Besides providing instruction in basic knife skills, she teaches the fundamentals of culinary skills and the techniques, procedures, and principles involved in preparing various types of foods from all over the world in the context of a weekly international menu served to guests in the department’s Practice Restaurant. Her course offers a comprehensive culinary education that is derived from a sound understanding of the hospitality industry.
Office location: RC206
Phone number: + 90 312 290 5017-5229
Email: elif.denizci@bilkent.edu.tr
Eda Gürel, Assistant Professor
Eda Gürel is a 1994 graduate of the department. She completed her master’s degree in tourism marketing as a Chevening and Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) Scholar at the tourism school of the University of Surrey, one of the highest-ranked programs in the field in the UK. She also holds a Ph.D. degree from Hacettepe University in Ankara.
In the department, Eda offers the Principles of Marketing, Principles of Economics, and Strategic Marketing for the Hospitality Industry courses, and serves as an advisor to all students. Her research interests include tourism and services marketing, museums, public relations, consumer and business ethics, and entrepreneurship; she has conducted research at London Metropolitan and Oxford Brookes universities in the UK. Eda has publications in leading journals that include the Annals of Tourism Research, the Journal of Business Ethics, and the European Journal of Marketing. In 2010, she was presented with the “Best Young Academic” award by the tourism student club at Bosphorus University. An active external consultant for the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), Eda is also a board member and representative of Turkey on the Council of Hospitality and Tourism Educators in Europe (EuroCHRIE). Her hobbies include visiting museums, driving, and dancing. If she is not in her office or out running, you can find her in a museum.
Office location: RA119
Phone number: + 90 312 290 5026
Email: gureleda@bilkent.edu.tr
Güneş Karamullaoğlu, Instructor, Assistant Chair
Güneş Karamullaoğlu has a master’s degree from Gazi University in Ankara and vast experience in the travel industry, with specialization in international conventions and tour organizations. She has been a member in a government committee charged with adapting Turkish statistics to European Union standards and holds a professional tour guide certificate from Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Güneş teaches Dynamics of Tourism, Introduction to Business, Tourism Policies and Sustainability, and Events Management. She serves as the department coordinator for exchange students. Her hobbies include painting and sports.
Office location: RA212
Phone number: + 90 312 290 5008
Email: karamul@bilkent.edu.tr
Kamer Rodoplu, Instructor, Advisor to the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Technology and Management and Dean of Student Affairs of Bilkent University
Kamer Rodoplu is a graduate of the Galatasaray Lycée in İstanbul and has an engineering diploma from the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon in France. In 1998, he was awarded with the order of Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de Chirac.
Kamer, who teaches Calculus, speaks fluent French. His hobbies include classical music, jazz, travel, and sports. He is also a passionate supporter of the Galatasaray football team.
Office location: RA 202
Phone number: + 90 312 290 5035
Email: rodoplu@bilkent.edu.tr
Esin Şenol, Instructor
Esin Şenol has a master’s degree from Atılım University in Ankara. Her area of expertise covers tourism standards, budgeting, cost control for food and beverage operations, purchasing, and related software packages. Her experience in the tourism industry includes working as the cost controller in the Divan Antalya Hotel; she has also worked at the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Swift Drilling Engineering, and Çankaya University.
Esin teaches Food and Beverage Cost Control, Purchasing, and Food and Beverage Computer Applications. Her hobbies are music, sports and travel.
Office location: RA106
Phone number: + 90 312 290 5019
Email: senole@bilkent.edu.tr
Ali Ünal, Instructor
Ali Ünal is a 1994 graduate of the department and also holds a master’s degree from Başkent University in Ankara. Ali has won second and third prizes in the Turkish Chefs Competitions with the Bilkent Gastronomy Group, which involves the students of the department.
As the gracious host of the department’s Practice Restaurant, Ali teaches hospitality and courtesy through his own example. He teaches Restaurant Service in the Practice Restaurant and Food and Beverage Services Management courses. Ali has a passion for cars, motor sports, good food, and coffee culture.
Office location: RC205
Phone number: + 90 312 290 5022-5029
Email: ali.unal@bilkent.edu.tr
Semih Sait Yılmaz, Asistant Professor
After receiving his Ph.D. from University of Florida, Semih Yılmaz worked as Assistant Professor at California State University, East Bay. He previously served as a specialist for Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, during which he worked on several UN and EU projects related to sustainable tourism and tourism education. He also holds a BA in Tourism Management from Boğaziçi University and an MBA from Bilkent University.
Yılmaz has presented his studies at many international conferences and published in academic journals such as Journal of Travel Research. His research focuses on sustainable tourism & hospitality, tourism ethics and sustainable consumer behavior. He is mainly interested in experimental investigations.
Yılmaz is a fan of arthouse cinema and a perpetual sufferer of cats. He is fascinated by immersive technologies and always open for culinary exploits.
Office Location: RA108
Phone Number: +90 312 290 50 98
Email: semihsaityilmaz@bilkent.edu.tr
Nefike Gunden Sorathia, Asistant Professor
Dr. Nefike Gunden Sorathia, a former Fulbright Scholar, completed her PhD at the University of Houston in December 2021. She served as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida (USF) Muma College of Business, teaching undergraduate and graduate-level hospitality courses. Prior to this, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management from Gazi University and earned a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue her master’s degree in Hospitality Management from USF in 2017. Additionally, she worked as an International Staffing and Programs Manager at McKibbon Hospitality, where she was responsible for reviewing, hiring, processing, and onboarding J1 and H2B candidates.
In addition to her teaching role, she has published numerous articles and received citations in reputable journals such as the International Journal of Contemporary Hotel Management, the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, and the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research. Her research interests primarily revolve around technology, specifically online food delivery systems.
Currently, Dr. Sorathia teaches food and beverage management courses and aspires to expand her teaching responsibilities to include classes in the tourism and hotel management departments. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and kids.
Office Location: RA107
Phone Number: +90 312 290 50 34
Email: nefike@bilkent.edu.tr