Hello There!
A passionate innovator at the intersection of technology and creativity. Born and raised in Istanbul, I've always been fascinated by artistic expressions and the ways technology assists us artists to push the boundaries of our work. My journey has taken me from tinkering with sound systems to exploring the frontiers of audio engineering. With a knack for problem-solving and an eye for detail, I bring a unique perspective to every project I undertake.
One absolute fact about me: I'm driven by the desire to produce and create something extraordinary.
Early Life
My academic journey began at Uskudar American Academy (UAA), where I completed a rigorous double diploma program, a pivotal experience that laid the groundwork for my future success. This intensive high school education instilled in me fundamental skills that have proven invaluable throughout my career. From mastering research techniques and database utilisation to honing my writing abilities for essays and technical reports, I gained a comprehensive toolkit for academic and professional life. The academy also cultivated essential soft skills, teaching me the art of interviewing, presentation, and idea pitching. During my time at UAA, I was accepted into a summer engineering program at Imperial College London. This experience was a significant checkpoint in my life, allowing me to make international connections, explore opportunities in the UK, and truly grasp what engineering meant: the art of elevating quality of life through thoughtful design, while minimising risks and maximising benefits.
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My fascination with sound, both in nature and music, sparked a passion for DJing and music production at the young age of 11. This early interest naturally led me to appreciate the technologies behind it - CDJs, mixers, speakers, and headsets. I found myself wondering: Could I create more capable equipment? What lies beneath these cool designs? These questions, coupled with insightful guidance from a UCL professor and a University of Nottingham alumnus, steered me towards pursuing an Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree at UoN. This academic journey provided me with a deeper understanding of various industries and offered invaluable hands-on experience through practical group projects. These collaborative endeavours not only honed my technical skills but also taught me the importance of teamwork, fostering long-lasting professional relationships that continue to enrich my career. While my high school education equipped me with a vision and fundamental skills, UoN broadened my horizons, instilling in me a sense of professionalism and industry awareness.
Academic Life
Embarking on my university journey in a new country was both daunting and exhilarating. The prospect of becoming a 'third culture kid' was as intimidating as it was promising. Drawing confidence from my previous international experience at Imperial College London, I quickly found myself at home among a diverse group of engineering students. This multicultural environment not only broadened my perspective on human psyche but also taught me the value of seeking help when needed.
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A defining moment of my first year was the laboratory group project on developing an autonomous vehicle. This experience proved crucial in establishing my foundation in engineering, fostering connections with coursemates and professors, and providing a glimpse into an engineer's mindset. I began to truly understand what it meant to think and work like an engineer. As my initial year at UoN drew to a close, the onset of the global pandemic introduced unexpected challenges, setting the stage for a unique academic journey ahead.
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The pandemic-induced shift in my second year unexpectedly provided a window for self-reflection, allowing me to align my professional aspirations with my personal passions. Due to my interest in audio engineering, I immersed myself in Analogue Electronics, Power Electronics, and Digital Electronics – crucial building blocks for studio equipment development. Furthermore, I realized the importance of programming for audio data manipulation, so I utilized the increased flexibility of online learning to hone my MATLAB skills.
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Despite the challenges, hands-on learning persevered through in-person laboratory projects. Our work on a Doppler radar system became a practical workshop for analogue electronics circuitry and digital signal processing, while an energy project delved into power electronic circuitry and system modelling. These experiences bridged the gap between theory and application, reinforcing my growing expertise.
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The pandemic also offered an unexpected lesson in global collaboration. With one team member based in China, our projects became exercises in remote teamwork and workload management across time zones – skills that would prove invaluable in an increasingly interconnected world.
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My third year brought an exciting change of pace with a placement at Diodes Zetex Semiconductors Ltd. in Oldham. This experience satisfied my curiosity about the inner workings of discrete devices – transistors and diodes. From conducting comprehensive characterization tests to exploring silicon crystallography, every day brought new insights. Highlights included inspecting immaculate white-room manufacturing processes and reverse-engineering a competitor sample, where we analysed the device structure with Scanning-Electronic Microscope, identified its trade-offs, and engineered a new fabrication process to develop our version.
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This placement provided invaluable insights in test engineering, process engineering, quality assurance, and failure analysis. It honed my data analysis skills and ability to thrive in fast-paced environments. The experience also emphasized my interest in data analysis, influencing my final year module choices: Analogue Electronics, Power Electronic Applications & Control, and Sensing Systems & Signal Processing.
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The latter module proved particularly enlightening, equipping me with techniques for acquiring, conditioning, and interpreting data – skills that proved crucial for my dissertation. My final year project related to identifying frequency clashes of different instruments in a track, and identifying which one surpassed the other one and how can this be balanced so that both can be heard. This individual project was a true calling, and I suddenly knew the career I wanted to seek.
Present Life
After graduation, I focused on finding audio engineering jobs and building connections in the industry. London seemed ideal for this, offering both career opportunities and a vibrant social life. Unlike many engineering jobs in isolated areas, London promised a balance of work and social experiences. I moved to Greater London, looking for roles in software and test engineering. The job market was tough and living costs high, so I took on various jobs including bar work and helping my sister with her SEO projects. Eventually, I landed a full-time position as an attendance officer at a college.
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This job has been unexpectedly rewarding. I am flooded with opportunities to connect with learners from diverse backgrounds with different occupations. Every day it reminds me there are different personalities and more mindset to be discovered, which add value to my current journey and interpersonal skills. While I enjoy this role, I'm still on the lookout for opportunities in data analysis and programming. I'm flexible and eager to take on new challenges, always ready to learn and grow in my career.
Future Aspirations
I aspire to become a mixing and mastering / audio engineer, and I wish to contribute to the audio engineering community by conducting research and developing third-party software (VST plug-ins) for Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Logic Pro X and Ableton Live.
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Ultimately, my goal is to integrate my personal and professional interests to benefit the audio engineering society. This includes designing sound, conducting frontier research, developing audio manipulation algorithms, and engineering studio equipment.
