Career and Science Journey Narrated at Science Cafe

Within the scope of the Science Cafe meetings implemented by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Üsküdar University academics met with students from Sancaktepe Nurettin Topçu Anatolian High School. TRGENMER Director Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan and TRGENMER R&D Officer Beyza Aydın shared their work, ranging from scientific research to space biology, artificial intelligence to genetic engineering, and offered important advice to young people on career planning and scientific production processes. 

11th and 12th-grade students attended the event held at Sancaktepe Nurettin Topçu Anatolian High School. Within the scope of the program, Üsküdar University Science Communication Office Coordinator and Faculty of Communication, Department of Advertising Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Cihan Becan, TRGENMER Director Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan, and TRGENMER R&D Officer Beyza Aydın met with the students.

At the event, which aims to bring science to society, raise young people's scientific awareness, and contribute to their career planning, future professions, biotechnology, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, space biology, and scientific research processes were discussed. 

By listening to the experiences of academics and young researchers, students had the opportunity to get to know the world of science closely and gain important information for their career goals.

Assoc. Prof. Cihan Becan: “We want to explain the professions of the future through real stories”

Assoc. Prof. Cihan Becan, Science Communication Office Coordinator and Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication, Department of Advertising faculty member, delivered the opening speech of the event and stated that the Science Cafe meetings aim to contribute to young people's career planning. Becan said; “Today we are here to talk about the professions of the future, scientific research and career planning. We want to share experiences that will inspire our students in many fields, from molecular biology and genetics to health technologies, biotechnology to space studies. Through real stories and real experiences, we aim to explain what skills are needed in these areas and how young people can develop themselves.”

Following the opening speech, TRGENMER Director Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan and TRGENMER R&D Officer Beyza Aydın gave their presentations.

Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan: “We are altering the genetics of cancer cells using genetic engineering methods”

TRGENMER Director Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan provided information about their scientific studies. Taştan said; “Cells that can self-replicate, move, and move within your body are what we call cancer cells. However, these cancer cells are still cells that your body once recognized. Your body's immune system cells, your soldier cells, cannot attack the 'zombified' cancer cells in your body. But what do we do? We take those soldier cells from your body. In a laboratory setting, we alter their genetics using genetic engineering methods like CRISPR, and those soldier cells' eyes open. Suddenly, we have developed a method that can recognize and kill cancer cells in your body that do not obey commands, and thus can treat cancer. Therefore, when we return this to people's bodies, their immune system can very easily recognize and kill cancer. This is just one of the areas we work on,” he said.

“We believe robotics and artificial intelligence will particularly change biology”

Taştan also mentioned that the center conducts studies in various research areas; “For example, we changed the genetics of cotton. We asked, ‘Can we produce burgundy or red colored cotton by changing its genetics?’ Currently, we are growing cotton in one of our laboratories. In the adjacent laboratory, we are conducting cancer treatments. In our other adjacent laboratory, we have robots and artificial intelligence systems. Our robots conduct experiments on cells and alter their genetics without any human touch. Because we believe robotics and artificial intelligence will particularly change biology. Our fourth system is Space Biology. This time, we have now gone beyond the limits of the laboratory,” he stated.

“People who ask the right questions and develop the right ideas can achieve great things”

Taştan, emphasizing the importance of scientific curiosity and offering advice to students, said; “In high school and at university, I was someone my friends found very annoying. Because I asked too many questions. When you become a scientist, you understand why this is important. Because we try to turn a problem in the world into a question; that question into a solution; and that solution into a product, a treatment, or a remedy. Especially in this era, where books are no longer even necessary, and artificial intelligence is developing almost the entire world, the importance of information will decrease. People who ask the right questions and develop the right ideas can achieve great things. Therefore, focus on constantly asking questions,” he said.

Beyza Aydın: “Studying at university is not just for acquiring a profession…”

TRGENMER R&D Officer Beyza Aydın also shared her career journey and Üsküdar University experience with the students. Aydın said; “Indeed, throughout a person's development, studying at a university is not just for studying and acquiring a profession; it is very necessary for the construction of a culture, an experience, and a civilization. Our university is also a university that works on this vision and strives to educate its students. During my undergraduate journey, my paths crossed with our Professor Cihan. I benefited greatly from him and his knowledge. And there was more than one path and door before me. Afterward, I came to Professor Cihan, but I always pursued it. I pursued it in undergraduate, I pursued it in high school, I set a goal in primary school and pursued it,” she said.

“I said I can do science here”

“I must be a remedy for something and be able to heal something, to touch people's lives. If I cannot do this, I do not know what my life will mean. This department was as if it was created just for me. By getting acquainted with the vision of our university and our professor, I said, ‘Yes, I can do science here.’ Today, I continue my academic journey and our work by participating in dozens of projects at our university,” she stated.

The event, which garnered significant interest from students, continued with a Q&A session.

Participants had the opportunity to ask experts questions they had about scientific research processes, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, space biology, and career planning.