Main Focus
I work on computational solar and stellar astrophysics, bridging MHD simulations and forward modelling with observational data analysis and machine learning. My research centres on how magnetic flux is generated in the solar/stellar interior (dynamo action) and how it emerges and is transported at the surface, and on forward-modelling observable diagnostics so that they can be compared directly with space-photometry and spectroscopic data. I collaborate closely with S. Solanki, N. Krivova, R. Cameron, and A. Shapiro (MPS), as well as international partners in Turkey, Japan, and Spain.
Curriculum Vitae
Education & Employment
2026/02–present: Guest Scientist, MPS
2023/08–2026/01: Scientist, MPS
2019/08–2023/08: Associate Professor, Computer Science,
Turkish-German University, Istanbul
2016/09–2019/08: Research Fellow, MPS (Habilitation,
2017)
2009/11–2016/09: Assistant Professor, Physics, Istanbul
Kultur University
2008/01–2008/10: Postdoctoral Researcher, MPS,
Katlenburg-Lindau
2005/01–2008/01: PhD Scholar, MPS /
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Roles & Recognition
- Vice President, IAU Commission E4, "Impact of Magnetic Activity on Solar and Stellar Environments" (2024–present)
- Co-convener, ISSI Workshop "Magnetic Activity and its Impact on (Exo)planets", June 2025, International Space Science Institute, Bern, Switzerland
Selected Publications
Işık, E., Solanki, S.K., Krivova, N.A., Shapiro, A.I. 2026, The rotation-magnetism relationship in solar-type stars: Constraining magnetic flux emergence rates, A&A, 711, A48. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202558620
Karapınar, N., Işık, E., Krivova, N.A., Şenavcı, H.V. 2026, Quantifying sunspot group nesting with density-based unsupervised clustering, Sol. Phys. 301, 34. doi:10.1007/s11207-026-02632-2
Işık, E., Solanki, S.K., Cameron, R.H., Shapiro, A.I. 2024, Low-latitude Magnetic Flux Emergence on Rapidly Rotating Solar-type Stars, ApJ 976, 215. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202556616
Işık, E., Shapiro, A.I., Solanki, S.K., Krivova, N.A. 2020, Amplification of Brightness Variability by Active-region Nesting in Solar-like Stars, Astrophys. J. Lett. 901, L12. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/abb409 — see the MPS press release, "Starspots: Revving up the Variability of Solar-like Stars" (22 Sep 2020)
Işık, E., Solanki, S.K., Krivova, N.A., Shapiro, A.I. 2018, Forward modelling of brightness variations in Sun-like stars. I. Emergence and surface transport of magnetic flux, Astron. & Astrophys. 620, A177. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201833393