Zeynep is a 5th year medical student at Istanbul University who is completing an independent, master’s-level research project in the Hamilos Lab at the Whitehead Institute.

Zeynep’s rich background in biomedical science, curiosity and drive have led her to pursue three main independent research directions in the lab, 1) how dopaminergic circuits contribute to learning, 2) how the brain and body interact to influence decisions, and the 3) the molecular, cellular and behavioral basis of Parkinson’s disease. Zeynep is excited to pursue a residency and career as a physician-scientist. She is currently exploring a career in neurology.

Publications:

• AE Hamilos, IC Wijsman, Q Ding, P Assawaphadungsit, Z Ozcan, and JA Assad. A mechanism linking dopamine’s roles in reinforcement, movement and motivation. biorXiv, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.04.04.647288

Education:

• 2027 (anticipated): BS and MD, Medicine, Istanbul University, Turkey.