Although I was born in Chicago, my childhood was filled with constant moving. I spent my early years between Chicago and Milwaukee before relocating to Cleveland for middle school. Born to two lovely Turkish parents, I was blessed (or cursed!) with a sister when I was around four. Despite our moments of sibling rivalry, we are now inseparable. In hindsight, all the moving was the best thing to happen to me. However, if you had asked 12-year-old me, I would have said my life was over! My true passions for life, a career, and a future blossomed in Ohio.
Enrolled at Avon High School
Worked in Dr. Kausomov's lab learning about Diabetes and its impact on the aceylation of mitochondrial DNA in the liver.
Underwent my first of 11 retinal surgeries
Became an instructor for an after school program for 1st and 2nd graders at Avon East Elementary School
Began the humanitarian project to raise $4,500 to build a water well
Started my Associates of Science Degree at Lorain County Community College
Hired at Retina Associates to work under my surgeon
Began taking classes at Case Western Reserve University as a CCP student in the PPSP program
Began the humanitarian project to raise $2,500 to provide 25 individuals from Africa with cataract surgery
Finished my Associates of Science with a 3.96 GPA
Graduated in top 5% with a 4.56 GPA
Started double majoring in Computer Science and Biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University
Became apart of PhiDE - a professional medical fraternity
Started Diabetic Retinopaty research at the Veterans Affairs Hospital with Dr. Samuels
Became a sales associate at Lululemon
Nominated by Embrace Relief for over 200 hours of service to receive the Presidential Service Award
Began to run the social media accounts and manage outreach for Women in Tech organization
Began volunteering at Learn To Be to teach foster children ELA and Math
Worked at Horizon Denison Academy to tutor Title 1 children math and ELA
Received a Silver Medal for completing 200 hours of public service
After being clear for 2 years, an emergent surgery took place
Currently an intern under Discovery Accelerator, IBM and Cleveland Clinic's partnership, working for Dr. Tandon in a Pediatric Cardiology lab
Completed the 4 step IBM quantum journey
My journey into the world of healthcare began unexpectedly with a routine Visionworks appointment that revealed a macular hole. This discovery led to a series of nine retinal surgeries and numerous doctor visits. These experiences, though challenging, sparked my interest in the medical field. What initially began as a necessity evolved into a passion as I became increasingly fascinated by the complexities of ophthalmology and the human eye.
During my recovery, I found solace and excitement in coding. Teaching myself Python and exploring Java, I discovered a new passion for technology. This intersection of healthcare and technology quickly became my focus. I realized that combining these fields could lead to innovative solutions that significantly improve patient outcomes.
Driven by these experiences, I decided to double major in Computer Science and Biochemistry when I entered college. As I delved deeper into each field, I realized that their intersection held revolutionary potential. In the summer of 2024, I explored this potential at the Discovery Accelerator, a partnership between IBM and Cleveland Clinic. There, I participated in pediatric cardiology research using IBM’s powerful neural network resources. Witnessing firsthand how IBM's technology impacted the field of research validated my passion and strengthened my resolve to push the boundaries at this intersection.
My ultimate goal is to leverage technology to advance healthcare and I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of others through this integration. Whether it's through developing software to improve medical diagnostics or creating algorithms to enhance patient care, I am committed to exploring and implementing innovative solutions that bridge the gap between these two fields. Although my vision isn't 20/20, my commitment to merging technology and medicine is crystal clear.