Our Team

Emir Arda Deger graduated from Robert College of Istanbul in 2020. As an incoming freshman at UCLA, he is going to study Mathematics/Economics. He also considers a specialization in computing and a minor in entrepreneurship. His research mainly covered topics related to carbon taxation and the creation of social movements. In 2018, he participated in Yale Young Global Scholars International Affairs and Security Program, and in 2017 he worked at Manufacturing and Automation Research Center (MARC) as a part of the Koc University Summer Research Program. Previously, he received Brandeis Book Award for Social Action and Civic Engagement, Clarkson Achievement Award, and Robert College Alumni Award for Creating a Difference in the Community (Robert Kolej Mezunlar Derneği Fark Yaratanlar Ödülü). As a tennis player that competes in international tournaments, Emir Arda Deger took the 2nd and 4th place in Turkish Nationals as a part of the Robert College Tennis Team. 

Gamze Sart, Co-Founder of the Mentorloops, studied at Boğaziçi University, Stanford University, and Columbia University. She is an Angel Investor and Board Member at Keiretsu Forum and the Board Member of the Intellectual  Property & Licencing Commision at Istanbul University Cerrahpasa. She specializes in Higher Education, Licencing and Patents, and Startups/Spinoffs.

Asrın Sevinç is a rising sophomore at University of California, Berkeley studying Bioengineering.  She has graduated from Robert College of Istanbul in 2019. She is considering double majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She is interested in Biotechnology and Business. Previously, she completed research on Breast Cancer and Increasing Women’s Inclusion in STEM Related Disciplines.  She was also an intern for Acibadem University Hospital Radiation Oncology Department and the fintech startup Moneye developing PFM chapel to establish a new personal finance education for women. She has received many awards for pioneering social innovation and community involvement projects including the Anatolian Maker Movement. She is the Vice President of External Affairs at the Turkish Student Association of Berkeley. She is a competitive sailor, and is currently a member of the UC Berkeley Sailing Team.

Kaan Aksoy is a senior student in Robert College of Istanbul and will graduate in 2021. He is currently preparing for unıversıty in which he plans to study bioengineering. Aksoy has been involved in various summer courses in Oxford on business and leadership, neuroscience and experimental psychology. In addition, he won a bio-design competition in Acibadem University’s summer program with his team. He has been a member of Robert College Science and Medicine Club organizing various events on up to date topics such as Covid-19 and 2019 Nobel Prizes.

Melike Şen is an 11th grade student in Uskudar American Academy. She is a member of many associations and involved in social service projects. She is a volunteer in TEMA and Istanbul Youth Platform. She is on the executive board of Fenerbahçe Childhood and Youth Sports Club. She is an assistant ballet teacher in Tan Sagturk Academy. She is also a member of many clubs in her school. She is the president of the Model United Nations Club. She is a member of the National Honor Society and school choir. Moreover, she was a member in the student council as the 9th grade class representative. She  is interested in physics and chemistry. Also as the daughter of a successful law professor she is interested in criminal law and private law. She is fluent in Turkish and English. She has limited working proficiency in German.

Baran Abali graduated from Robert College of Istanbul in 2018, and he currently continues his undergraduate education at UC Berkeley where he majors at Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and minoring in Energy & Resources. He aspires to become an activist engineer by acquiring the knowledge about technical, environmental, political and legal implications of renewable energy project development, and by facilitating community involvement for the democratization of sustainable technologies. His fields of interest are: Electric Power Systems, Control Systems, Data & Environment, Renewable Energy Project Development, Environmental Economics & Policies, Social Entrepreneurship, Community Development. He previously interned at the Research & Development department of Vestel Electronics, where he wrote reports on Vestel’s Smart City initiatives and observed the testing and auditing processes of consumer electronics. This summer, he will join Entek Electric (Koç Holding) as a renewable energy project management intern. He serves as the current presidents of Berkeley Energy & Resources Collaborative Undergraduate (BERCU) and Berkeley Turkish Student Association.

Deniz Ece Aydın is a rising senior at Robert College, Istanbul. While taking the higher level science classes at her school, she realised her interest in biology. She is currently preparing for her university studies in bioengineering. On top of her academic background, she is invested in arts and photography as well as community involvement. Participating in more than 250 hours of community work in the past four years both in the rural areas of Turkey and in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, Ece has found incredible joy in the act of helping and forming bonds with others. She has original poetries and photographs published on numerous school magazines. She is currently the co-founder of an upcoming international online magazine that focuses on bringing together high school students on a platform where they can share their ideas, feelings and voices in the unprecedented times of the pandemic.