This is me…
What do you do and what’s the best about it?
I'm doing my PhD in lysosomal Biology, researching a rare childhood dementia caused by defects at the cellular level. My work mixes hands-on lab experiments like fluorescence-based assays and cell imaging with computational analysis of the data we collect. The best part for me is getting to play with new experiments and constantly problem-solving: whether that's designing a new assay, catching an error in an analysis pipeline, or seeing a result under the microscope that no one's seen before. There's something really satisfying about being at the edge of what's known about a disease and trying to push that boundary forward.
What was your childhood dream?
My mom always tells the story of when I was 7 and answered a question on a school worksheet about what I wanted to be when I grew up: a scientist. So I guess it's been my dream all along, and now, spending my days trying to understand molecular pathways in the lab feels like a pretty direct continuation of that.
How do you like to start your day?
I like to start my day with coffee or tea, and snoozing my alarm at least once is a must. :)
If you were a superheroine, which superpowers would you have?
It's really hard to choose, but I think it would be either teleportation, because I'd love to see my family in Turkey instantaneously, or having the power to become microscopic, like Ant-Man, so I could watch what's happening inside a cell with my own eyes.
What is your dream job?
Once I feel fulfilled by research and everything I'm doing now, I'd really love to open a science center where I can teach kids all the cool things we do in a lab.
Why did you choose your field of study? / What’s the story behind your decision?
During my bachelor's, I enjoyed learning about different molecular pathways and always admired the people who discovered them. I also learned that if one of these pathways becomes defective, it can lead to disease. Understanding these molecular mechanisms, and figuring out how we might intervene to resolve the problem, is what brings me joy in this field.
When was the last time you felt proud of yourself?
Before starting my PhD in Innsbruck, I was working in another country and wasn't happy with my research or my life there. Recognizing that and making the decision to start over by applying, relocating, and building a new path for myself is something I'm genuinely proud of.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Since I moved to Austria, hiking has become my favourite activity. I also enjoy analog photography, watching movies, and playing video games. In winter, ice skating is my go-to.
What are you passionate about?
I am very passionate about rare diseases, and I plan to do scientific outreach activities for the general public on this topic. Helping the next generation of scientists is also very important to me, since I've experienced that kind of support myself and know how much it can change a life.
