Tulbek Joins NCI

FARGO - Jan 11/06 - SNS -- Mehmet Tulbek has joined the Northern Crops Institute (NCI) in Fargo, North Dakota, where he will provide technical assistance to processors and end-users of non-cereal crops, such as soybeans, corn, lentils, dry peas, flax, chickpeas, and dry edible beans.

He will also develop and conduct educational programs that identify market opportunities to promote the sales of non-cereal crops. The new position developed in response to the increasing diversity of crops produced in the four-state region.

Tulbek's research includes evaluation of North Dakota chickpea quality, and the characterization of fermented chickpea for dough and bread. He has evaluated physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of roasted flaxseed, and the use of flaxseed oil in yogurt making. His additional research has been in the evaluation of roasted durum wheat quality and field pea roasting applications for dairy calf breeding.

Tulbek will complete requirements for his Ph.D. degree in cereal science at North Dakota State University this spring. He has a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Ankara, Turkey, and an M.S. degree in food engineering from the Istanbul Technical University.