• What do you like most about working on SERSing? 

Besides the interesting scientific challenges of the project, the idea of group of international scientists, with different backgrounds, that have teamed up to work on such an important topic is intriguing. As scientists and engineers, we all are working together to help the society in our own way. Specifically, the way that the entire team have been able to collaborate with such an efficiency during the Covid-19 pandemic quite fascinating.  

• What is the coolest thing about your field? 

Well I guess everything about my field is cool to be honest. I have been working on various micro- and nanofabrication projects since I was a student, and everyday in the cleanroom I face new challenges, which makes me feel passionate about my field. But in the end if I have to choose, I would say that coolest thing about my field is the final product. I spend hours and hours in the cleanroom (sometimes up to 11-12 hours on a single day) to fabricate and develop a microchip that is going to be used in the simplest way by the oridanry people in the end. 

• What do you want to achieve with your research? 

I firmly believe that as researchers, the ultimate achievement of our research should be focused on delivering better and yet simpler solutions to the everyday challenges of our societies. Of course gaining more knowledge has always been a great motivation for doing my research, but the greater image can be summarized in “Sustainibility”. 

• Name a value that drives you? 

For me, discipline has been a core value that has been driving me since I was at high school. One may be successful by being smart, lucky, and hardworking. If those three are the key elements of success, they can only be connected to each other through discipline. It helps us to train our minds and body, and enables us to focus on our goals and to regulate our emotions. It helps to preserve society’s peace and order. 

• Share a turning point or defining moment in your work as a scientist? 

During my previous job as research assistant, I was working on fabricating nanostructures on the surface of Titanium-based dental implants to enhance their antimicrobial properties. The defining moment in my work as a scientist, was when my grandma asked me about my job and she grasped its core idea after I explained the ultimate goal to her. That moment I realized that despite all the complexities that I am dealing with my everyday life as a scientist, the most enjoyable thing about my research is that it can have a sensible impact on people’s lives.  

• What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

My main hobbies are photography, tennis, and music. I’m an amateur street and landscape photographer, and I started playing tennis since I was 12. I also play electric and acoustic guitar everynow and then. Besides those, I enjoy cooking and brewing beer, as well as reading about psychology and philosophy in my free times.  

• Name a favorite book/movie/podcast? Why is it so good? 

Interstellar by Christopher Nolan is one of my favorite movies. Despite its fine sci-fi aspects and the way they had simulated a blackhole, the movie has a deeper layer, and that’s how they had depicted the concept of family. I think above being a sci-fi movie, Interstellar shows how important the true meaning of family and how much one would be keen on sacrificing to save the next generations.    

• What is your favorite quote?  

“Every science begins as philosophy and ends as art; it arises in hypothesis and flows into achievement.” -Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy