On Saturday, 11 January 2025, Ayca Aydemir Mazlumoglu, Library and Electronic Resources Director at Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University (ACU), captivated audiences at the Health Literacy Summit held at Istanbul’s Rami Library.
Representing the Horizon Europe-funded GEMSTONE Project, Ms. Aydemir Mazlumoglu delivered a highly engaging presentation titled “From Research to Practice: The Role of Librarians in EU Projects in Health-Themed Universities.” Her insights into the transformative contributions of the ACU library team to GEMSTONE’s success resonated deeply with attendees, earning widespread appreciation and opening exciting new professional opportunities.
Highlights from the panel
Ms. Aydemir Mazlumoglu’s talk detailed the comprehensive support provided by the ACU library team throughout the GEMSTONE Project’s journey. From facilitating access to essential electronic resources to ensuring the open publication of research data, her team has played a pivotal role in enabling researchers to excel. “Our support as a library team in the GEMSTONE Project has been instrumental from the beginning to the present day,” Aydemir Mazlumoglu shared during her presentation.
The audience’s response was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the depth of the library’s contributions. A particularly inspiring moment came when Ms. Aydemir Mazlumoglu’s former professor from Istanbul University’s Information and Document Management Department and another professor from Bartin University expressed their interest in inviting her to speak at career courses for undergraduate students in Information and Document Management. “It was very exciting and motivating for me to receive such recognition,” Ms. Aydemir Mazlumoglu remarked.
GEMSTONE’s commitment to excellence
The GEMSTONE Project, short for “Genetically engineering Experimental Models: enhancement of Scientific and Technological excellence and innOvation potential to study NEurodevelopmental diseases,” is dedicated to advancing ACU’s research capabilities in neuroscience and gene engineering. The project’s collaboration with Lund University and Fondazione ICONS has been instrumental in fostering knowledge exchange and enhancing ACU’s global competitiveness.
Ms. Aydemir Mazlumoglu’s contributions underscore GEMSTONE’s holistic approach to research excellence, which includes empowering support services like the library team. This synergy has enabled GEMSTONE to set new benchmarks in research management, grant acquisition, and the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
Looking ahead
Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Aydemir Mazlumoglu expressed gratitude to the entire GEMSTONE team. “I would like to thank the GEMSTONE team, who have always appreciated our library’s support and given us the opportunity to learn and implement new processes,” she said.
ACU’s participation in the Health Literacy Summit not only highlighted the ACU’s commitment to advancing health literacy but also showcased the vital role of library professionals in bridging the gap between research and practice.
Stay tuned for further updates and follow GEMSTONE’s journey on our website and social media channels.