Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hamza Goktas is a faculty member in the Department of Food Engineering at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Türkiye. He completed his Ph.D. in Food Engineering at Yıldız Technical University in 2021. His research interests include food microbiology, fermentation biotechnology, postbiotics, microbial exopolysaccharides, and the development of functional and sustainable food ingredients. A major area of his research is the production and characterization of postbiotics, with particular emphasis on using plant-based substrates as alternative resources for microbial fermentation. His research explores the potential of plant-derived food materials to support microbial growth and the production of bioactive metabolites, as well as their applications in food preservation and the development of innovative food products. His research also includes isolating and characterizing lactic acid bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms, producing microbial exopolysaccharides, and assessing the technological properties of microbial biopolymers. His academic interests also focus on plant-based and vegan foods, as well as halal food, with an emphasis on food formulation, ingredient functionality, and the technological challenges involved in developing suitable products.