About Me

I am an international scholar from Türkiye, now based in the United States. I studied American Culture and Literature as an undergraduate. Examining culture systematically made me curious about media and its influence on society, which led me to communication. During my master's studies at Hacettepe University, I became interested in digital inequalities and researched how older adults and communities experienced them, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. I also worked as a full-time research assistant at Hacettepe before moving to the United States for my Ph.D. The University of South Carolina gave me the opportunity to pursue what I was most curious about: how we interact with technology, particularly artificial intelligence. Today, I study these interactions to understand how AI can be used ethically and effectively in strategic communication, and how everyone can benefit from it in health contexts.

I also love teaching; it is one of the most rewarding parts of being in academia. I help students think critically about media as a force that shapes how we understand ourselves and each other, and as a strategic tool that can inform attitudes and influence behavior.

Outside work, I love to travel, cook, garden, recharge with my pets, play video games (very badly), and experiment with AI and code.

I have visited eight countries and more than 40 cities. I travel for the food, music, and architecture (brutalism is fascinating!).

I am also a devoted foodie who loves to try new dishes and cooks often, mostly Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. Coming from Türkiye, where cats are the true kings of the streets, I have always loved animals. I had two cats back home and was an animal welfare activist.

I speak Turkish, English, and Azerbaijani.