Current Position
Scientist II at Zymergen, Inc.
Emeryville, California, United States
Scientific Interest
Organelle homeostasis, mitochondria
Current Research Interests
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA copy number regulation in S. Cerevisiae.
Former Lab Affiliations
| 2009-2010 | Dr. Michael Botchan – Junior Specialist, University of California, Berkeley |
Education
| 2011 | B.S. Molecular Biology and Genetics – Bilkent University, Turkey |
| 2011-Present | Ph.D – Candidate University of California, San Francisco, USA |
The Artist
A year ago, my research project came to the point where it was time to write the scientific story. I had to pull my energy together to complete my experiments, analyze tons of data and become highly goal oriented. My mind was constantly occupied with experiments to do and several models that could be tested, but I had no time or energy to focus on those. Often, my experiments didn’t work and we had to troubleshoot and repeat. To clear my mind, work in the lab efficiently and maintain my focus, I started to paint rigorously. There were times that I started a new painting every day, maybe I would pick it up later and complete or just leave it for another time.
Painting became my explorative science; I tried different mediums, experimented with different colors, techniques, brushes – any kinds of material I found. If a medium says, “do not mix with oils” I did. I used both oil and acrylics, painted with gesso on oil paintings. I used a pipette to drip varnish on paintings. I used my fingers, usually with gloves, just the same way we work in the lab.
I am so lucky to have Peter, who is also an artist, as my Professor. He encourages me to paint and lets me paint at school. I have my own little studio! This gave me the chance to try any kind of fixative. I wasn’t able to try the smelly ones when I was painting in my bedroom.
As Peter describes the science we do in our lab, “creativity is your only limit”. This holds true for my art, too.
