2 Students from the Core Program in the TÜBİTAK 2232 Program!

Two undergraduate students, who were among the first students of the Core Program, were included in the project of Faculty Member of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Asst. Prof. Deniz Eroğlu within the scope of TÜBİTAK 2232 International Leading Researchers Program.

Dr. Deniz Eroğlu and his research team are trying to reveal the structure in the brain by combining data science and mathematics by converting brain EEG signals into mathematical models. Stating that they are trying to make predictions for the future by using the formulas in this model, Dr. Eroğlu says that they are trying to understand, for example, how close an epilepsy patient is to have a seizure with this study and in which situation they can have it.

Dr. Eroğlu tells the story of Core Program students Ayberk Ayhan and Murat Akın Çiçek’s involvement in the project as follows: “These two students emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary work, which is the most important and powerful feature of the Nodds group we established at our university. I was able to examine this through their work in the Core course KHAS 101 and KHAS 102. Also, I learned from their instructors that they were successful in KHAS 109 (Computational Thinking), programming/algorithm course. Then, I interviewed the students about whether they were interested in machine learning and invited them to the group. I think both of them will be very familiar with all the data science-related points that took place in our project. In addition to the scientific support they receive from the group members, they also go through an exceptional mathematics training every week under my supervision.“

Core Program student Ayberk Ayhan said that one of his primary goals was to be in a research group when he started university. When he was accepted and became a part of this group, he was very excited to realize this goal in his first year .”Even though I am at the very beginning of this process, I can’t wait to work with great devotion and improve myself on this subject,” Ayhan says, explaining the main reason he was accepted to the research group was because of the Core Program: “I think one of the reasons why Dr. Eroğlu asked me if I wanted to be a part of this project, was that he saw our interests and talents through the presentations we made in the Core Program courses. At the same time, I can say that it became easier for me to keep up with the dynamics in the project group thanks to the introductory courses in programming languages (KHAS 109) this year.“

Murat Akın Çiçek, the second Core student, selected for the project, also believes that the Core Program has made a significant contribution to the project’s inclusion. Çiçek explains the related process as follows: “My participation in this project was triggered by the work I have done since the first semester in the Core Program courses. After making the final presentation of the ‘Scientific Discoveries and Engineering’ course, Professor Deniz asked me which field I would like to work in. After telling him my areas of interest, I asked him if he had any suggestions, and he invited me to his research group. One of the best things that the Core Program has given me is to improve my research and problem-solving skills. As a result of this, people have a natural curiosity and desire to work, which I think is necessary for such projects.“