Hi there, I'm Batuhan!
My research journey began with a project examining how cultural factors shape personality traits and influence future perspective. This project sparked a deeper curiosity in me about human behavior, leading me to pursue an internship in a biopsychology lab, where I became fascinated by the brain-behavior relationship.
My curiosity led me to pursue a PhD degree in neuroscience to explore this relationship, and in 2019, I moved to the United States to start my doctoral studies at Rutgers University. My doctoral research focuses on how learning reshapes visual processing, exploring how the brain changes with experience during supervised and unsupervised learning. My most recent findings suggest that positive reinforcement pushes neural networks modifications to emerge faster and aid behavioral performance.
By advocating for doctoral researchers to gain industry experience before graduation, I persuaded my program administration to enable students to pursue summer internships. With this policy change, my peers can now find opportunities and develop industry specific skillsets. I utilized this policy change by completing a research internship at Dolby Laboratories, where I applied my neuroscience expertise to improve haptic wearables by leading a perceptual study from conception to completion.
Beyond research, I'm deeply committed to advocating for LGBTI+ rights. I previously contributed to advocacy efforts by volunteering to conduct data analysis on public opinion toward LGBTIs, and supported diversity training in companies through an LGBTI+ rights association in Turkey. I strongly support legal protections against discrimination and equal rights for LGBTI+ people across the world, especially in Turkey and the greater Middle East.
I'm currently based in New York City. Besides my research, I enjoy editing short user-generated content videos. I stay active, whether it's swimming, hiking, or testing out my bouldering skills!
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