Prof. Dr. Yılmaz ÇATAL was born in 1978 in Kumluca, Antalya, Türkiye. He completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in Kumluca. He graduated from the Department of Forest Engineering at the Faculty of Forestry, Süleyman Demirel University, in 1999. After working in the private sector in the field of forest management planning, he began his academic career in 2000 as a Research Assistant in the Department of Forest Management at the same faculty. He was appointed Assistant Professor in 2010, Associate Professor in 2012, and Professor Doctor in 2018.
Prof. Dr. ÇATAL has authored more than 100 scientific publications, including journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters at both national and international levels in the field of forestry sciences. He also serves as Editor and Associate Editor for various academic journals. Throughout his academic career, he has participated as a principal investigator, researcher, and consultant in more than 20 scientific research projects funded by different institutions and organizations, making significant contributions to scientific research, education, and practical applications.
In addition to his academic achievements, Prof. Dr. ÇATAL has held numerous administrative positions. He served as Director of a Vocational School and Dean of the Faculty of Forestry. He has also undertaken responsibilities as Department Chair, Vice Chair, and Member of Administrative Boards in various academic units. Furthermore, he has played an active role in the management of university research and application centers, contributing to the academic and institutional development of higher education institutions.
Prof. Dr. ÇATAL has also assumed important responsibilities in national and international professional organizations. Since 2018, he has been serving as a Member of the Executive Board of the Council of European Foresters (CEF) and as Vice President of the European Forestry Academic Society (EFAS). Between 2020 and 2024, he served as a Member of the Executive Board of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), and in 2026 he has been re-elected to the same position.
Since 2025, Prof. Dr. ÇATAL has been serving as a Member of the Executive Board of the Interuniversity Council (ÜAK). He served as Chair of the ÜAK Council of Education for Science and Engineering Sciences between 2024 and 2025 and has been serving as Chair of the ÜAK Council of Education for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries since 2025. In addition, he holds leadership and board membership positions in various non-governmental organizations.
Prof. Dr. ÇATAL is married and has two children. He is fluent in English.
On September 15, 2022, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz ÇATAL was appointed as Rector of Isparta University of Applied Sciences (IUAS) by Presidential Decree No. 2022/473, with the approval of the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
02462146007
yilmazcatal@isparta.edu.tr