Mehmet Tulbek began his duties as Crop Quality Specialist at Northern Crops Institute (NCI) on January 3. 
           
Tulbek 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.
           
"Mehmet comes to us with excellent experience that enables him to provide technical assistance and promotion of non-cereal crops," says Dr. Pat Berglund, NCI Director.  "He is an outstanding complement to the technical services that we already provide in cereals and feed grains."
           
The new position developed in response to the increasing diversity of crops produced in the four-state region.  "Several regional commodity organizations, as well as the state of North Dakota, committed funds for this position," Berglund commented.
           
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. 
           
He is a member of the American Association of Cereal Chemists and the Institute of Food Technologists.