HELLO, I'M
Ekrem
Strategic QA Lead & PhD Candidate specializing in AI-enhanced testing and scalable quality architectures.
Ekrem Erol
QA Team Lead &
Software Quality Architect
ISTQB® Certified
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PhD Candidate in Computer Engineering (AI-Driven Testing)
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MSc in Computer Engineering
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BS in Computer Engineering
About Me
Strategic Quality Assurance Lead and PhD Candidate in Computer Engineering with 10+ years of expertise in architecting robust testing ecosystems. Specialized in designing end-to-end automation frameworks and leveraging AI-enhanced methodologies to drive product excellence in high-stakes sectors. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and managing complex quality lifecycles for global-scale products.
Personal Details
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DOB: Feb 10, 1993
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Nationality: Turkish
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Driving License: Class B & Class A
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Military Service: Done
Academic Qualifications
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
2019 - Present
Doctoral Degree in Computer Engineering
Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
2017 - 2019
Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering
Istanbul University
Thesis: A Comparative Study for Evaluating Automated Software Testing Tools
2011 - 2016
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering
Istanbul University
Thesis: Smart Home Automation Systems
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ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) - Turkish Testing Board, issued Feb 2023, ID: 0223-CTFL-4061
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Diploma in Applied Generative AI, Alison, issued Sep 2025, ID: 7213-12384730
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Master Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence), Alison, issued Sep 2025, ID: 6565-12384730
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Generative AI and Large Language Models for Beginners, Alison, issued Sep 2025, ID: 6683-12384730
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Diploma in Software Testing, Alison, issued May 2023, ID: 1582-12384730
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Appium(Latest 1.8.2)-Mobile Automation Testing from Scratch - Udemy, issued Jul 2019, Credential ID UC-435EFFUA
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Automated Software Testing with Python - Udemy, issued Jul 2019, Credential ID UC-X7OUMLN6
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Selenium WebDriver With Python 3.x - Novice To Ninja - Udemy, issued Jul 2019, Credential ID UC-N3FI0AJM
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Selenium WebDriver with Java -Basics to Advanced+Frameworks - Udemy, issued Jul 2019, Credential ID UC-W56BC7UU
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Unit Test Yazma Sanatı - Udemy, issued Jul 2019, Credential ID UC-8CZ6Q0GE
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Arçelik - Unit Test Event, issued 2018, 3rd Place.
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Violin Training Program, Republic of Turkey, Ministry of National Education, 2009
CERTIFICATION
Work Experience
WHERE I’VE WORKED
2023 - Present
Digital Turbine Inc. - ISTANBUL
Team Lead, Quality Assurance Engineering
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Quality Assurance Team
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Leading and scaling the QA team to support global mobile advertising operations, ensuring 100% defect-free delivery.
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Architecting and implementing automated testing pipelines, significantly reducing time-to-market for complex ad products.
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Strategizing cross-functional collaboration between Dev, Product, Data, Creative and AdOps teams to optimize quality lifecycles.
2021 - 2023
Digital Turbine Inc. - ISTANBUL
Software Quality Assurance Engineer
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Quality Assurance Team
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Executed comprehensive test cases, performed rigorous troubleshooting, and collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality mobile advertisement products. Leveraged mobile platform expertise to optimize test execution and product reliability.
2018 - 2021
Istanbul Arel University - ISTANBUL
Research Assistant
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Computer Engineering (English) Department
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Distance Learning Coordinator in Computer Engineering (English) Department
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Arel University Rover Team (ART) Advisor
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IEEE EBBT Committee Member
2015 - 2017
Gigafun Games (Formerly Infosfer Game Technologies) - ISTANBUL
Lead QA Engineer
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Quality Assurance Team
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Worked and managed as Lead QA Engineer for over 25 mobile (Android and iOS) games' testing cycles.
2014 - 2014
Anadolu Bilisim Hizmetleri (abh) – ISTANBUL
Software Test Engineer (Internship)
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Worked as software tester for a budget tracking software.
2013 - 2013
CASPER Computer Systems – ISTANBUL
Hardware Test Engineer (Internship)
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Worked as a hardware test engineer for tablet, notebook, and desktop computers.
2012 - 2012
LEVEL Online Video-Game Magazine – REMOTE
Game Tester and Writer
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Worked as a game tester for newly released games and as a writer for reviewing these games.
Intellectual Property & Thought Leadership
MY LEGACY IN INK AND SPEECH
Academic Research & Publications
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Enhancing Software Testing Through Artificial Intelligence: A Comprehensive Review (2024)
A deep dive into the impact of AI, Federated Learning, and LLMs on modern software engineering practices.
https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/enhancing-software-testing-through-artificial-intelligence/346331
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A Comparative Study for Evaluating Automated Software Testing Tools (2022)
A performance and efficiency-oriented analysis of test automation frameworks, published in The Journal of Information Technologies (JIT).
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/gazibtd/article/1057380
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M.Sc. Thesis (2019): A comparison of software test automation tools
A foundational research on automation scalability and tool selection criteria.
Professional Speaking
& Conferences
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Speaker, TestingMind – Test Automation Summit Istanbul 2025
Delivered a technical session on Hyperautomation, covering the convergence of AI, RPA, and end-to-end orchestration in modern QA ecosystems.
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Published Books
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Canvas & Brush
ISBN: 13979-8722375940
Language: English | Pages: 165
Robert, whose greatest passion is dancing, does not know that his life will change radically when he gets a scholarship from the best art school in the country. The young dancer, who has made new friends in his new school, will have to take a side in the battle between his mind and heart. The decisions he makes are of the kind that can lead him to very different paths.
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Tuval & Fırça
ISBN: 9786257811484
Language: Turkish | Pages: 192
En büyük tutkusu dans etmek olan Robert, ülkenin en iyi sanat okulundan burs kazandığında hayatının kökten deÄŸiÅŸeceÄŸini bilmemektedir. Burada yeni arkadaÅŸlıklar edinen genç dansçı, aklıyla kalbi arasındaki savaÅŸta bir tarafı tutmak zorunda kalacaktır. Alacağı kararlar onu çok farklı yollara sürükleyebilecek türdendir.
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Awards
WHERE I SHINE
MMA Smarties MEA - Bronze Award - Spotify
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2024
2024 - MMA Smarties MEA​
MMA Smarties MENA - Silver Award - Sony PlayStation
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2023
2023 - MMA Smarties MENA​
Campaign of the Month - KOÇTAÅž & Ingage
Associated with Digital Turbine, December 2023
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212% Playable Engagement CTR
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1.9M+ Playable Engagements
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1.1M + Impressions
Campaign of the Month - Ford Trucks International
Associated with Digital Turbine, October 2023
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89% Engagement Rate
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396K+ Impressions
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364K Completed Views
Campaign of the Month - Absa Group
Associated with Digital Turbine, July 2023
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13.25% DEC Engagement Rate.
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Moat video score of 63.
Campaign of the Month - Coca-Cola
Associated with Digital Turbine, July 2023
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12% DEC Engagement Rate exceeding the 10% benchmark.
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86.9% Video Engagement Rate (Benchmark 80%).
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100% Completed Views on 1M+ videos.
Campaign of the Month - Carte D'or Gold - Unilever
Associated with Digital Turbine, June 2023
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More than 1M impressions.
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76% DEC Engagement Rate exceeding the 30% benchmark.
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+11pts Brand Consideration Uplift Rate.
Campaign of the Month - Penti - Spotify
Associated with Digital Turbine, May 2023
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1.07% Homepage Takeover CTR
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143% Audio Uplift Rate
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+5.5M Actual Impressions
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+1.4M Actual View
Campaign of the Month - Colgate-Palmolive
Associated with Digital Turbine, May 2023
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6.4% DEC Engagement Rate exceeding 1% benchmark.
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More than 254K completed views.
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More than 320K impressions.​​​​​​​​​​​​
MMA Smarties MENA - Golden Award - Almarai
Associated with Digital Turbine, May 2023
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Almarai Iced Leaf
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Customer Experience
IAB TR Mixx Turkiye Golden Award - Games & In-Game Ads - Olips
Associated with Digital Turbine, Dec 2022
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More than 983,000 views.
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Achieved 96.5% engagement.
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91% video completion rate.
IAB TR Mixx Turkiye Silver Award - Games & In-Game Ads - Durex
Associated with Digital Turbine, Dec 2022
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Over 1.3 million On-Video interactions.
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Achieved 115.9% engagement.
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1.2 million total video completion rate.
MMA Smarties Turkey - Silver Award - KazandıRio
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2022
2022 - MMA Smarties Turkey - Data Insight
‣ Over 19k downloads.
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Increasing 21% active users.
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Increasing 25% winners.
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Increasing 23% the number of gifts.
MMA Smarties Turkey - Bronze Award - Uni Baby
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2022
2022 - MMA Smarties Turkey - Data Insight
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Achieved over 8m views.
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Over 17k clicks.
MMA Smarties Turkey - Bronze Award - Nescafé Ne'App
2022 - MMA Smarties Turkey - Service Launch
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Over 1m app downloads.
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Over 12m gift-code entries.
MMA Smarties Turkey - Bronze Award - Opet-Yandex Navi
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2022
2022 - MMA Smarties Turkey - Partnership Marketing
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Over 71% interactions.
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Achieved over 60% benchmark.
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Over 1.2m views.
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Achieved 89% completed views.
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Over 149k+ hotspot interactions.
MMA Smarties Turkey - Bronze Award - KazandıRio
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2022
2022 - MMA Smarties Turkey - Personalization
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Over 19k downloads.
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Increasing 21% active users.
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Increasing 25% winners.
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Increasing 23% the number of gifts.
MMA Smarties Turkey - Silver Award - Durex
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2022
2022 - MMA Smarties Turkey - Gamification
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Over 1.3 million On-Video interactions.
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Achieved 115.9% engagement.
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1.2 million total video completion rate.
MMA Smarties Turkey - Bronze Award - Opet-Yandex Navi
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2022
2022 - MMA Smarties Turkey - Gamification
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Over 71% interactions.
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Achieved over 60% benchmark.
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Over 1.2m views.
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Achieved 89% completed views.
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Over 149k+ hotspot interactions.
MMA Smarties EMEA - Bronze Award - Opet-Yandex Navi
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2022
2022 - MMA Smarties EMEA - Partnership Marketing
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Over 71% interactions.
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Achieved over 60% benchmark.
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Over 1.2m views.
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Achieved 89% completed views.
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Over 149k+ hotspot interactions.
MMA Smarties EMEA - Bronze Award - Durex
Associated with Digital Turbine, 2022
2022 - MMA Smarties EMEA - Gamification
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Over 1.3 million On-Video interactions.
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Achieved 115.9% engagement.
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1.2 million total video completion rate.
Campaign of the Month - Sanofi
Associated with Digital Turbine, Oct 2022
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92% of video completion rate vs 80% benchmark
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10.7% dynamic end card rate vs 5% benchmark
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7.3 seconds average time spent on DEC
Campaign of the Month - Colgate - Palmolive KSA
Associated with Digital Turbine, Sep 2022
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15.4% DEC Engagement Rate exceeding 10% benchmark
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More than 535K completed views
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More than 598K impressions
Campaign of the Month - Continente Portugal
Associated with Digital Turbine, Sep 2022
Campaign of the Week (2nd time) - Nestlé South Africa
Associated with Digital Turbine, Sep 2022
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90% completed views on video pre-roll
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17.93% engagement rate on Dynamic End Card
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Consideration increased
Campaign of the Week - Nestlé South Africa
Associated with Digital Turbine, Sep 2022
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90% completed views on video pre-roll
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17.93% engagement rate on Dynamic End Card
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Consideration increased
Campaign of the Month - ESTEVE Spain
Associated with Digital Turbine, Aug 2022
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94% completion rate on 20-second pre-roll
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18% engagement rate on Dynamic End Card
Campaign of the Month - Hyundai France
Associated with Digital Turbine, Jun 2022
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100% completed views of video pre-roll
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Engagement on Dynamic End Card (DEC) is 15%
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Engagement with DEC for 9.2 seconds
Interests
OUT OF OFFICE
Reading
Creative Writing
Video-games
Gaming Photography
Tennis
Violin
Poetry