Dr. Fatih Gulec has been awarded the Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship, co-funded by the EU Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. His project, titled “Healing Cities through Listening to Plants for Urban Agriculture (HERBAN),” is hosted by the University of Essex, with Maastricht University as a co-host.

His research will focus on developing AI/ML-based methods to classify plant stress, such as drought, pest infestations, and nutrient deficiencies, by analyzing airborne sound and electrical signals of plants. These expected advancements will enable real-time detection and diagnosis of plant stress factors, contributing to smarter and more sustainable urban agriculture. The project aims to optimize water usage, reduce pesticide dependence, and improve crop yields, ultimately supporting more resilient and efficient urban farming practices that foster healthier, greener cities.