Brief Profile:
***I am an international student--i.e., I am on an F-1 visa.
Spoken Languages: Fluent: Turkish, English, Spanish Intermediate: German
Research Experience ___________________________________________________
Student Research Assistant, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Hypertension Division, Summer 2005
? Assisted in a study involving the determination of the self antigens responsible for the elicitation of Autoimmune Lupus Nephritis
Student Research Assistant, University of Istanbul Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Physiology Department, Summer 2005
? Assisted in providing a reliable model for the elicitation of Sepsis in laboratory rats for use in later studies ? Ethical Committee Certificate of Approval for Conducting Research Studies Involving Laboratory Animals, University of Istanbul, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine
Co-PI, Student Research Assistant, Temple University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Summer 2006
? Assisted with the study ?Defining the Molecular Basis for the Immunomodulatory Effects of Statins in Autoimmune Nephritis? ? Attended weekly Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Section Rounds with Residents, Fellows, and Staff Physicians ? Completed the Temple University School of Medicine IUPAC Module and obtained an Approval for Conducting Research Studies Involving Laboratory Animals ? Obtained an IACUC approval for the the study ??Defining the Molecular Basis for the Immunomodulatory Effects of Statins in Autoimmune Nephritis? ? Mock reviewed NIH Grant Proposals.
Student Research Assistant, University of Istanbul Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Physiology Department, Summer 2006
? Presented a seminar titled the ?Potential Benefits of Statins in Renal Inflammation in Acute Lupus Nephritis? to the Physiology Department Faculty
Co-PI, Student Researcher, Mentored Advanced Project (MAP) Program, Grinnell College, Biology Department, Fall 2006- present ? Assisted as one of two primary investigators in the study titled ?Effects of Restraint Stress on the Regulation of REM Sleep in Rats Treated with Chlorisondamine? ? Currently working on the establishment of a dose-response curve for the effects of a nicotinic receptor agonist in the REM sleep regimen of rats as the primary investigator
Presentations, Seminars and Research Awards ___________________________________________________
? Goldie Simon Preceptorship Award Recipient, Lupus Foundation of America, Southeastern PA Chapter for the study titled ?Defining the Molecular Basis for the Immunomodulatory Effects of Statins in Autoimmune Nephritis?, Summer 2006
? Approved as a student researcher in the Grinnell College Biology Department as a Mentored Advanced Project (MAP) student by the Dean of the College, Fall 2006- present
? Presented a review seminar on the molecular mechanisms leading to Sepsis and the roles of certain markers, such as Interleukins and Tumor Necrosis Factor-? to the Physiology Department Faculty at the University of Istanbul Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Summer 2005
? Presented a seminar titled the ?Potential Benefits of Statins in Renal Inflammation in Acute Lupus Nephritis? to the Physiology Department Faculty at the University of Istanbul Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Summer 2006
? Poster presentation- Lupus Foundation of America, Southeastern PA Chapter Annual Meeting ?Defining the Molecular Basis for the Immunomodulatory Effects of Statins in Autoimmune Nephritis?, Fall 2006
? Poster Presentation- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Midwest Symposium for Undergraduate Research in Biology, Chemistry, and Neuroscience in Iowa Area ?Defining the Molecular Basis for the Immunomodulatory Effects of Statins in Autoimmune Nephritis?, Spring 2007
? Poster Presentation- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Midwest Symposium for Undergraduate Research in Biology, Chemistry, and Neuroscience in Iowa Area ?Effects of Restraint Stress on the Regulation of REM Sleep in Rats Treated with Chlorisondamine?, Spring 2007
? Poster Presentation- MidBrain Undergraduate Neuroscience Research Meeting, Macalester College, MN: ?Effects of Restraint Stress on the Regulation of REM Sleep in Rats Treated with Chlorisondamine?, Fall 2007
Co-Chair, Biology Student Educational Policy Committee (BioSEPC), Fall 2006- present
? Served as student-faculty liaison to provide faculty with student input on professors, candidates, curriculum and other department issues ? Surveyed students and summarizes opinions regarding current professors and professorial candidates Attended bi-weekly department faculty meetings and bi-weekly Student Curriculum Committee meetings ? Started a Monthly Biology Newsletter, Biorhythms, sent to all biology majors and students ? Presented a proposal to the Biology Department at a weekly faculty meeting to present a neccessary change in the Biology major curriculum. Although the proposal was not approved , the presentation received high praise from the Biology Faculty ? Organized the annual Biology Students Picnic and three study breaks with Biology-related themes
Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, Biology 251: Molecules, Cells & Organisms, Fall 2007
? Responsible for holding bi-weekly review sessions and out-of-class tutoring of students
Captain, Turkish National Junior Water Polo Team, 2004 ? Lead the team to Bronze medal in DIANA Cup Water Polo Championships, Sofia, Bulgaria, Spring 2004
Co-Coach and Co-Captain, Grinnell College Club Water Polo Team, 2006- ongoing ? Lead the team to Division III Club National Collegiate Championships Runners-Up, 2007 ? Co-Coach of the Year- Collegiate Water Polo Association Div III Club National Championships, 2007 ? Two-Time Consecutive Co-Coach of the Year- Collegiate Water Polo Association Heartland Division, 2006 and 2007
Medical Experience ___________________________________________________
Grinnell Regional Hospital Hospice Volunteer, Grinnell Regional Hospital, Grinnell, IA
? Currently in tranining with Debby Cooper, the Grinnell Regional Hospital Volunteer Coordinator Attended the World Transplant Congress 2006, Boston, MA ? Attended research seminars concerning Cell Transplantation and Xenotransplantation
? Scrubbed in for a Kidney Transplantation Operation at Haydarpasa Numune Teaching Hospital
? Olympic Torch Bearer for Turkey for the 2004 Athens Olympics ? Capped 60 times for the Turkish National Youth and the National Junior Water Polo Teams, 2002-2004 ? Co-Coach of the Year- Collegiate Water Polo Association Div III Club National Championships, 2007 ? Two-Time All-American Team Selection- Collegiate Water Polo Association Div III Club Nationals, 2005 and 2007 ? Two-Time Co-Coach of the Year- Collegiate Water Polo Association Heartland Division, 2006 and 2007 ? Three-Time Most Valuable Player- Collegiate Water Polo Association Heartland Division, 2004 2006, and 2007 ? Certified to coach athletic teams by the ?American Sport Education Program? and the ?PACE Program? by passing their respective certification exams and programs with outstanding scores- 90% or above, Spring 2007 ? Varsity Letter Winner- Grinnell College Varsity Swimming Team (2005, 2006) ? Competed in European Youth Water Polo Championships (2003) ? Silver Medalist- Junior Balkan Games Water Polo Tournament (2004) ? Bronze Medalist- Youth Balkan Games Water Polo Tournament (2002)
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 2007
Undergraduate college: Grinnell College
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
Total MCAT SCORE: 511
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 129,
C/P 129,
CARS 124
Overall GPA: 3.58
Science GPA: 3.52
Summary of Application Experience
I am an international student and that seems to be my bane throughout the process.
