Ozan Yetkin, PhD - Researcher | Developer

Summary

AI researcher, software developer, and systems designer working at the intersection of generative AI, machine learning, and human-computer interaction. PhD holder at METU with 7 international and 4 national publications on AI-integrated design systems, paired with hands-on industry experience training and evaluating frontier AI models as a data scientist and domain expert. (Ex) co-founder of two technology ventures and technical lead behind various projects, bringing a rare blend of academic knowledge and practical experience.

Featured Work

Optio

Generates and compares design alternatives from constraints.

Co-Founder · AECTech

Megscope

AI-assisted diagnostic and imaging software for digital pathology.

Co-Founder · MedTech

Develad

AR/XR platform bringing real-time mixed reality to stadium audiences.

Technical Lead · AR/XR

Cobot

AI platform for tender scanning, takeoffs, BOQ.

Technical Lead · AI

Research Interests

computational design, generative systems, data visualization, machine learning, artificial intelligence, design/objective space exploration, geometry processing, multi-objective optimization, deterministic/probabilistic/hybrid approaches

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Building Science 2020 – 2026

Middle East Technical University (METU), Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Thesis: [code]sign: A Collaborative Framework Integrating Human and Artificial Intelligence in Design

Master of Science, Building Science 2017 – 2020

Middle East Technical University (METU), Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Thesis: Design-Objective Space Exploration and Multi-Objective Optimization of Initial Design Alternatives via Machine Learning

Bachelor of Architecture 2013 – 2017

Middle East Technical University (METU), Department of Architecture Graduated as an Honor Student, ranking 3rd out of 131 students

Work Experience

Research Assistant Apr 2019 – Present

Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara Conducted advanced research in computational design and AI applications in architecture, specifically developing a PhD thesis focusing on human-AI collaboration. Published 7 international and 4 national conference papers on computational design and AI integration, with an h-index of 4. Assisted in 10+ advanced courses and contributed to TUBITAK-funded research projects with a total funding of 150,000 USD.

AI Domain Expert, Human Data Reviewer Apr 2026 – Present

micro1, Palo Alto (Remote) Prepared and reviewed over 250 complex tasks alongside specific evaluation rubrics for artificial intelligence training. Evaluated and designed benchmarks for complex CAD workflows to enhance world-leading AI models, achieving improvements in geometric consistency.

Data Scientist, Team Lead Jul 2024 – Mar 2026

Turing, Palo Alto (Remote) Led a team of 6-10 domain experts to improve world-leading AI models, reporting key performance metrics such as throughput, quality, and compliance. Executed 6 distinct AI projects encompassing code evaluations, problem creation, conversation ratings, and chain-of-thought evaluations, leading to the improvement of models.

Technical Lead Jun 2022 – Oct 2024

Develad Media Technologies, Istanbul Led end-to-end development of an innovative AR/XR sports platform, reaching over 10,000 users. Secured promotional partnerships with major entities including Göztepe, Galatasaray, and the Turkish National Football Team. Delivered real-time mixed reality experiences to large stadium audiences.

Co-Founder Oct 2022 – Jan 2024

Megscope Medical Technologies, Izmir Co-founded a medtech startup focused on AI-assisted diagnostic and imaging software. Managed product direction and technical strategy, securing a $100,000 USD seed investment offer.

Co-Founder Jul 2019 – Sep 2023

OPTIO Design Technologies, Ankara Co-founded a design technology startup for automated generation and comparison of architectural design alternatives. Secured $25,000 USD via TUBITAK-BiGG and a subsequent $75,000 USD grant through TUBITAK-1507. Engineered an automated workflow generating detailed 3D building designs within 5 minutes.

R&D Specialist Jun 2018 – Feb 2019

BY Teknik, Ankara Developed innovative solutions in building design and engineering systems. Spearheaded 5 design projects, reducing modeling times from days to hours.

Freelance Designer Aug 2017 – Jun 2018

UpWork, Remote Delivered parametric modeling, computational design, and data visualization projects for international clients across architecture and engineering domains.

Research Experience

Water Efficiency in Urban Green Areas with Image Processing Nov 2024 – Sep 2025

Project Developer, 1812–TUBITAK–BiGG Investment

Automation/Optimization/Suggestion System for Sustainable Housing Design Jan 2022 – Jul 2023

Project Developer, 1507–TUBITAK–BILTEG

AI Supported Generative System for Performative Acoustic Panels Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

Project Researcher, 1001–TUBITAK–BAP

Autonomous Building Design System Sep 2020 – Sep 2021

Project Developer, 1512–TUBITAK–BiGG

AFL Computer Olympics Oct 2010 – Jun 2012

Participant, TUBITAK

BILSEM Research Project in Physics Jan 2010 – Sep 2010

Student Researcher, 2204–TUBITAK

Publications

International Conference and Symposium Presentations

The Designer in the Loop: Navigating Informed Creativity through Human-AI Collaboration 2026

Yetkin, O. Informed Creativity and Fabrication in Architecture and Engineering, Proceedings of the 44th Annual Conference of the Association of Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2026), Lübeck, Germany.

AI-Integrated Pattern Prediction Model: Exploring the Influence of Building Fabric Morphology on Land Use Pattern 2025

Karadogan, S., Yetkin, O., Efeoglu, E., Coban, A. B. Urban Morphology in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Proceedings of the XXXII Conference International Seminar on Urban Form (ISUF 2025), Torino, Italy.

Liminality: Augmented Reality Experiences at the Boundary of the Physical and the Digital 2025

Gonenc Sorguc, A., Krusa Yemiscioglu, M., Yetkin, O. Confluence, Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Conference of the Association of Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2025), Ankara, Turkey.

Collaborating with Agents in Architectural Design and Decision-Making Process: Top-Down and Bottom-Up Case Studies Using Reinforcement Learning 2023

Yetkin, O., Surer, E., Gonenc Sorguc, A. European Alliance for Innovation, Proceedings of the Smart Objects and Technologies for Social Good (EAI GOODTECHS 2023), Leiria, Portugal.

Levels of Mapping in Nature-informed Studies: A Case Study on Informed Wall 2022

Krusa Yemiscioglu, M., Gonenc Sorguc, A., Yetkin, O. Co-creating the Future: Inclusion in and through Design, Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference of the Association of Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2022), Ghent, Belgium.

Design Space Exploration of Initial Structural Design Alternatives via Artificial Neural Networks 2019

Yetkin, O., Gonenc Sorguc, A. Architecture in the Age of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Association of Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2019), Porto, Portugal.

A Novel Approach for Classification of Structural Elements in a 3D Model by Supervised Learning 2018

Yetis, G., Yetkin, O., Moon, K.P., Kilic, O. Computing for a Better Tomorrow, Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Association of Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe 2018), Lodz, Poland.

National Conference and Symposium Presentations

Demystifying Machine Learning for Architecture Students 2022

Gonenc Sorguc, A., Krusa Yemiscioglu, Yetkin, O. XVI. Mimarlikta Sayisal Tasarim Sempozyumu (MSTAS 2022), Eskisehir.

Sayisal Tasarim Araclarinin Kisi mi Geliyor? 2020

Gonenc Sorguc, A., Yetkin, O., Krusa Yemiscioglu, M., Özgenel, Ç.F. XIV. Mimarlikta Sayisal Tasarim Sempozyumu (MSTAS 2020), Trabzon.

Zitliklardan Ara Mekanlara 2017

Yetkin, O. XI. Mimarlikta Sayisal Tasarim Sempozyumu (MSTAS 2017), Poster Presentation, Ankara.

Conflict of the Virtual/Real Space, Morphology of the Snowflake 2017

Sahinler, K., Yetis, G., Yetkin, O. XI. Mimarlikta Sayisal Tasarim Sempozyumu (MSTAS 2017), Poster Presentation, Ankara.

Organized Events

44th Annual Conference of the Association of Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, eCAADe2026 Sep 2026

Scientific Committee Member

Association of European Schools of Planning, AESOP Dec 2025

Artificial Intelligence Thematic Group Member

43rd Annual Conference of the Association of Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, eCAADe2025 Sep 2025

Scientific Committee Member

Design x Language: Exploring AI-Augmented Design Workflows, eCAADe2025 Workshops Sep 2025

Instructor

Performative Design Strategies for Extreme Conditions on Mars, DigitalFUTURES Jun 2022

Instructor

International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction Oct 2022

Coordinator

Concrete Structure Design Competition, Cement Industry Employers' Association Feb 2020

Prize Winner

Speculations on the New: Text Competition, Architects' Association 1927 Feb 2020

Prize Winner

Architectural Design Studio-IV Final Jury, TOBB University of Economics and Technology Aug 2019

Jury Member

Breaking the Walls of Sleepless Nights, DAAD Falling Walls Lab 2018 May 2018

Presenter

Home Planet's Mars Urbanization Challenge, Launch Forth Education League Aug 2017

Participant

Inside Out: Virtual Reality, Projection Mapping, and Pavilion Exhibition, METU Faculty of Architecture Jul 2017

Contributor

Flying in/on/over Boundless Boundaries: Virtual Reality Exhibition, METU Faculty of Architecture Mar 2017

Contributor

Are We Human?, 3rd Istanbul Design Biennial Oct 2016

Contributor

Assisted Courses

BS 723 - Introduction to Machine Learning in Architecture 2020 – Present