Career and Science Journey Narrated at Science Cafe

Within the scope of the Science Cafe meetings initiated 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, while offering important advice to young people on career planning and scientific production processes.

Students from the 11th and 12th grades attended the event held at Sancaktepe Nurettin Topçu Anatolian High School. Within 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 aimed to bring science to the public, increase 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. 

Students had the opportunity to listen to the experiences of academics and young researchers, getting to know the world of science up close and gaining important information for their career goals.

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

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

Following the opening speech, TRGENMER Director Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan and TRGENMER R&D Officer Beyza Aydın made a presentation.

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

TRGENMER Director Asst. Prof. Cihan Taştan provided information about their scientific studies. Taştan said; “We call cells that can multiply on their own, move, and move in your body cancer cells. However, these cancer cells are still cells that your body once recognized. Your body's immune system cells, i.e., 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 environment, we change their genetics using genetic engineering methods like CRISPR, and the eyes of those soldier cells are opened. Suddenly, we have developed a method that can recognize and kill cancer cells that disobey orders in your body, thus being able to treat cancer. Therefore, when we return this to people's bodies, their immune system can easily recognize and kill cancer. This is just one of the areas we work on.”

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

Taştan also mentioned that the center carries out studies in different 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 laboratory, we have robots and artificial intelligence systems. Our robots conduct experiments on cells and change their genetics without any human touch. Because we believe that 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.”

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

Taştan, emphasizing the importance of scientific curiosity and advising students; “In high school and 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 now, in a place 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 asking questions constantly.” 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 acquiring a profession; it is very necessary for building a culture, an experience, a civilization. Our university is also a university that works on this vision and strives to educate its students. During my undergraduate journey, my path crossed with Cihan Hodja. I greatly benefited from him and his knowledge. And there were multiple paths and doors before me. Afterward, I came to Cihan Hodja, 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 don't know what my life would mean. This department felt like it was made 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 both my academic journey and our work by participating in dozens of projects at our university.” she stated.

The event, which attracted great interest from students, continued with a question-and-answer session. Participants had the opportunity to ask experts their questions about scientific research processes, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, space biology, and career planning.