Experience

Participating in McKinsey Forward allowed me to build next-generation career skills through a 10-week online journey. I developed adaptability, problem-solving, and impactful communication through interactive courses and virtual events. The program's focus on practical skills prepared me to navigate the digital landscape and foster meaningful workplace relationships. Completing the Core Skills level awarded me a digital badge and membership in a global learning community. This experience has been instrumental in improving my life and work toolbox.

As an ML Engineer Intern at Metasoft, I undertook a project to design a predictive model for dental procedures, working with over 6 million data entries to create a forecasting system. My work involved testing various deep learning architectures, such as combinations of GRU, LSTM, and attention layers, ultimately achieving 80% accuracy for predicting the top ten likely next procedures. I trained these models on Google Colab TPU over 50 epochs, gaining hands-on experience in optimizing large-scale neural networks. Collaborating closely with the SQL server manager, I helped integrate the model into Metasoft's database infrastructure, ensuring seamless interaction between the prediction model and existing data systems.

At Tam Finans headquarters in Sisli-Mecidiyekoy, Istanbul, under the mentorship of Erkal Biyiklioglu, I gained a comprehensive understanding of corporate organization, financial asset risk management, and R&D in finance. This experience deepened my insight into financial exposure and the challenges it presents. I actively contributed to discussions on applying machine learning to automated risk management, gaining valuable perspectives on strategies to reduce asset vulnerabilities. In my role, I analyzed call center data using Excel to uncover trends, providing actionable insights to enhance customer satisfaction and inform decision-making. Additionally, I collaborated on Qlik and SQL projects to support the development of business intelligence dashboards, transforming complex datasets into strategic insights. This experience provided practical exposure to BI tools and strengthened my ability to communicate data insights effectively within cross-functional teams.

During my time at Bilkent UNAM, I had the opportunity to collaborate closely with Professor Won Mi Ahn on research in nanoplasmonics. My involvement included proposing and spearheading a research initiative that was subsequently funded by Tubitak's 2209-B grant. Under Professor Ahn's guidance, I honed practical laboratory skills and deepened my understanding of scientific reasoning and academic writing. This collaboration fostered a strong foundation in teamwork, as I worked alongside a diverse group of peers with unique perspectives. The experience was immensely enriching and significantly shaped my approach to scientific inquiry and collaboration.

Guided by Philipp Sandner and the expert team at the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center through DeFi Talents, I deepened my understanding of decentralized finance in an 18-week curriculum, engaging with protocols like Aave, Compound, and Uniswap. Under their mentorship, I refined blockchain technology skills, enhanced strategic thinking for financial applications, and collaborated with peers worldwide. This experience expanded my technical expertise and sharpened my vision for future financial technologies.

As a columnist at Gazete Bilkent, I explored rapidly evolving fields of science and technology. This role allowed me to delve into emerging advancements and share these insights with a curious audience. Through my articles, I aimed to make complex scientific concepts accessible and relevant, helping readers understand how developments affect daily life and the future. My goal was to inform and provoke thought, whether discussing AI ethics, implications of new research, or the future of synthetic foods.

Along with my collaborator C. R. Karakoc, we co-founded Polyhedron, a venture born from a shared vision to create a diverse and inclusive platform. Our goal was to cultivate content spanning philosophy, fiction, and beyond, envisioning a space where the mind could move from existential questions to symbolic fiction. We hoped to make Polyhedron a haven for thinkers and dreamers alike, where one could enjoy a well-spun yarn or a thought-provoking treatise.