With the decision of the Presidency of TÜBİTAK dated November 27, 2023, M. Mehmet Nefes was appointed as the Institute Director of TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute.

After receiving his bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Bilkent University in 2006 and his master's degree in Industrial Engineering-Engineering Management Program from THK University, Nefes started his career as an R&D engineer at TÜRKSAT A.Ş. in 2006. He also carried out his graduate studies at BİL-UZAY Research Center between 2006 and 2007.

Having served in various positions in the Satellite Design and R&D, Satellite Frequency Monitoring and Satellite Programs units within TÜRKSAT A.Ş., Nefes took an active role in many satellite and infrastructure projects, including TŪRKSAT 4A/4B, TŪRKSAT 5A/5B, the establishment of the National Space Systems Integration and Test Center, satellite ground systems installations, and our first national communication satellite TÜRKSAT 6A. M. Mehmet Nefes, who served as the Director of Satellite Programs between January 2021 and November 2023, also assumed responsibilities within the scope of satellite project management and technology consultancy and the provision of training services, and pioneered the first exports of our country in this field.

Specialized in areas such as engineering management, satellite communication systems, command and control systems, satellite production and testing processes, reliability engineering, satellite procurement and launch services management, Nefes has been representing Turkey in the NATO Resilience Committee - Civil Communication Planning Group since March 2023.

He has nearly twenty years of experience in the satellite/space industry and is married with two children.