My career bridges translational research and patient-centered cancer care. After graduating from Istanbul Medical School, I moved to the U.S. to pursue research at UNC Chapel Hill in Dr. Andrew Wang’s lab, where I collaborated on nanotherapeutic studies and contributed to advancing a circulating tumor cell capture technology toward clinical application. This experience sparked my lasting interest in cancer immunotherapy and led me to join Dr. Watowich’s laboratory in the Department of Immunology at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
For nearly five years as a full-time postdoctoral researcher, I investigated immune checkpoint inhibitors in murine models and explored the gut microbiome’s influence on response and toxicity. I also integrated clinical trial data and patient samples to inform laboratory hypotheses and evaluate novel therapies. This work resulted in several publications and reinforced my commitment to translational science.
Currently, as a hematology-oncology fellow, I remain focused on immuno-oncology and aspire to continue advancing research that bridges mechanistic insights with clinical application.