Derin Ural Ural-Serpenguzel

An increadible earthquake happened in Turkey in 1999. After I had my PhD degree in Princeton University, I turned back to my country -Turkey, to be useful in this area.

After the earthquake, I coordinated Federal Emergency Management Asossication (FEMA) education project at Istanbul Technical University (ITU). Then I established and managed Natural Disasters Management Center for over 6 years. Later on, I published Turkey's first Turkish Natural Disasters Management book by distributing and educating NGOs' and municipalities. For the very first time Natural Disasters Management master programme established in Turkey.

In order to develop Turkey's natural disaster management, I attended public adminstration politics program in Harvard University with scholarship. After I turned back I suggested to establish a Natural Disasters and Emergency Situation Presidency . I was the only women and youngest person of the Earthquake Consulting Council which is approved by the TPresident's Office and other governemental institutions.

I wrote the first National Earthquake Strategics and Action Plan, the education part that was published in official journal at 17.08.2011

I believe by carrying the Olympic Flame, I may continue to create awareness about natural disasters, and may help decrease future losses in my country in the face of natural disasters.