About

My graduate and industry research draws upon a diverse range of disciplines, including developmental psychology, philosophy, linguistics, education, and cognitive science. I’ve worked with participants ranging from infants to older adults, across various cultures and languages, in both in-person and remote settings. I employ a diverse range of research methods, primarily using eye-tracking and behavioral paradigms.

Industry work

Most recently, I’ve been applying these skills in industry as a behavioral researcher at an AI startup, where I define behavioral metrics, run iterative usability studies, and collaborate with engineers to improve product design for a continious learning tool. I also build custom AI-powered research tools using the Anthropic API.

Academic research

I am also working as a postdoctoral researcher specializing in cognitive development at the University of Washington. My work aims to help us understand how humans use tools like language and mental representations to think about abstract concepts, and how computational modeling can provide insights into cognitive processes such as memory and visual perception.

Beyond research

I can often be found in workshops or YouTube rabbit holes, learning a new skill or topic. When I’m not doing that, I like to dance, lift weights, and watch a lot of movies. I am happiest when I’m talking to people who have expertise in subjects I know little about, and hanging out with cats in my hometown, Istanbul.