Prof. Dr. Mehmet Citil | Veterinary Medicine | Best Researcher Award
Erciyes University | Turkey
Born in Afşin, Kahramanmaraş, he grew up in a large family as the sixth child. He completed his primary education at Afşin Efsus Primary School, secondary at Afşin Middle School, and high school at Afşin Industrial Vocational High School. His passion for animal health led him to pursue veterinary studies at Selçuk University, where he graduated as a veterinarian. With a strong academic inclination, he continued his journey in Germany after earning a prestigious state scholarship, studying internal diseases at Leipzig University. Upon returning to Turkey, he began his academic career at Kafkas University and steadily advanced through roles as specialist, assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor. Later, he joined Erciyes University as a Professor of Veterinary Internal Medicine, where he continues his research and teaching. Fluent in German, he has contributed significantly to veterinary medicine. He is married and the proud father of three children.
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Education
He began his higher education at Selçuk University, where he studied Veterinary Medicine and obtained his degree, developing a strong foundation in animal health, physiology, and clinical practice. Following his graduation, he was awarded a prestigious government scholarship under law to pursue advanced studies abroad. This opportunity led him to Germany, where he completed a doctoral program in Internal Medicine at Leipzig University. His doctoral thesis focused on carnitine concentration and associated biochemical parameters in dairy cows, with particular reference to abomasal displacement and postpartum disorders. Under the mentorship of Professor Manfred Fürll, he honed his expertise in clinical biochemistry, metabolic diseases, and advanced diagnostic approaches. His education abroad not only deepened his scientific knowledge but also broadened his cultural and academic outlook. Equipped with both national and international academic training, he returned to Turkey to contribute to veterinary science through teaching, research, and professional leadership
Experience
Mehmet Çitil’s professional journey spans academic, clinical, and administrative leadership. After completing his doctorate in Germany, he returned to Turkey and began working at Kafkas University, where he served in progressive roles from specialist doctor to professor. He contributed extensively to teaching veterinary students, mentoring doctoral candidates, and conducting applied research on livestock and companion animals. His expertise encompasses metabolic diseases, infectious disorders, respiratory illnesses, and clinical biochemistry in veterinary practice. Alongside his teaching and research, he took on major administrative roles, including vice rector, institute director, and faculty board member across multiple faculties, influencing academic policy and institutional development. He also contributed to scientific publishing as assistant editor for the Kafkas University Veterinary Journal, included in international citation indexes. Currently, he serves as a Professor at Erciyes University, where he leads the Department of Internal Medicine, guiding academic, clinical, and research activities while mentoring the next generation of veterinarians.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Mehmet Çitil has received recognition for his academic contributions, leadership, and service to veterinary medicine. He was awarded a prestigious government scholarship under Law 1416, enabling his advanced studies at Leipzig University in Germany, which laid the foundation for his specialization in veterinary internal medicine. His academic excellence earned him rapid promotion from assistant professor to associate professor and later to full professorship, reflecting his sustained research productivity and teaching achievements. He has been entrusted with high-level administrative responsibilities such as vice rector and institute director, honors that demonstrate the trust of his academic community in his leadership and vision. His role as assistant editor for the Kafkas University Veterinary Journal, indexed internationally, further highlights his contribution to advancing veterinary scholarship. Equally important are his roles as a doctoral advisor, mentoring new generations of veterinary scientists whose research adds to his academic legacy and impact.
Research Focus
Mehmet Çitil’s research centers on veterinary internal medicine, with a strong emphasis on metabolic, infectious, and respiratory diseases in large and small animals. His doctoral research investigated biochemical markers and carnitine levels in dairy cows, providing insights into the diagnosis and management of abomasal displacement and periparturient disorders. Over the years, he has expanded his work to include clinical biochemistry, hematological changes, and acute-phase proteins in animals with systemic diseases. His supervised doctoral theses have explored respiratory diseases in cattle, diagnostic markers in equine respiratory disorders, and prognostic significance of biochemical indicators in canine parvoviral enteritis. These studies highlight his focus on developing diagnostic and prognostic tools for improving veterinary practice and animal health outcomes. By integrating clinical observations with laboratory parameters, his work bridges applied veterinary medicine and research, making significant contributions to evidence-based diagnosis, treatment strategies, and preventive veterinary care across different species.
Publications
Title: Hepatoprotective effect of L-carnitine against acute acetaminophen toxicity in mice
Year: 2007
Citation count: 176
Title: The effects of dexmedetomidine on mesenteric arterial occlusion-associated gut ischemia and reperfusion-induced gut and kidney injury in rabbits
Year: 2012
Citation count: 99
Title: Determination of cardiac troponin I in the blood and heart of calves with foot-and-mouth disease
Year: 2008
Citation count: 87
Title: Use of cardiac troponin kits for the qualitative determination of myocardial cell damage due to traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cattle
Year: 2008
Citation count: 76
Title: Assay of cardiac troponins in the diagnosis of myocardial degeneration due to foot-and-mouth disease in a calf
Year: 2005
Citation count: 72
Title: Evaluation of serum sialic acid as an inflammation marker in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis
Year: 2004
Citation count: 64
Title: Serum sialic acid and oxidative stress parameters changes in cattle with leptospirosis
Year: 2008
Citation count: 60
Conclusion
Mehmet Çitil is a highly accomplished veterinary scholar whose career combines clinical expertise, impactful research, dedicated teaching, and academic leadership, making him a distinguished contributor to veterinary science and education.