Ulku Yaylacicegi Clark

Dr. Ulku Clark is a Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Systems at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and Director of the Center for Cyber Defense Education (CCDE). She also serves as Principal Investigator of the Maritime Cybersecurity Applied Research, Technology, and Education Center (MCARTEC), an interdisciplinary initiative focused on advancing cybersecurity research, workforce development, and operational resilience across the maritime transportation sector.

Her research focuses on maritime cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. Dr. Clark leads multiple federally funded research and workforce development initiatives addressing cybersecurity challenges in maritime and transportation systems.

At UNCW, she collaborates across the Cameron School of Business and the College of Science and Engineering to develop interdisciplinary cybersecurity education programs and applied research initiatives. She also organizes national events including the UNCW Annual Cybersecurity Conference and the Maritime Cybersecurity Hackathon, which bring together academia, government, and industry to address emerging cybersecurity risks.

Education

Ph.D. in Management Science with MIS Concentration, The University of Texas Dallas
M.S. in Information Technology and Management, The University of Texas Dallas
B.S., Bogazici University

Professional Service

Director, Center for Cyber Defense Education (CCDE), UNCW
Principal Investigator, Maritime Cybersecurity Applied Research, Technology and Education Center (MCARTEC)

Community Engagement

Dr. Clark works with maritime industry stakeholders, government agencies, and academic institutions to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities in the transportation sector. Her initiatives bring together partners from industry, government, and academia to address cybersecurity challenges affecting maritime systems and critical infrastructure.