2013 News

TASSA Announces New Web Platform

TASSA announces a new platform for connecting TASSA members and institutes. The new web portal TASSA-Connect provides job search, interview scheduling, research news and many more exciting features to connect its members. Become a member today at TASSA-Connect to explore this new website.   full story

İnsan Beyni Projesinde (HUMAN BRAIN PROJECT - HBP) Projesinde Yer Alma Fırsatları

İnsan Beyni projesi kapsamında açılan “Comptetitive Call” çağrısı ile bu konsorsiyumun üyesi olmayan kuruluşları bir araya getirerek uzmanlıklarını bütünleştirecek bir yapı oluşturulması hedeflenmiştir. Başarılı bulunan proje tekliflerinde yer alan kurumlar İnsan Beyni projesinde doğrudan ortaklık statüsü kazanacaklardır. Çağrı toplam bütçesinin 8.3 Milyon Avrodur.   full story

Crossing the Bridge - September 2013

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recently published FY 2014 solicitation for “Catalyzing New International Collaborations” (CNIC). It can be considered as another great tool to connect US-based researchers with Turkey-based researchers.   full story

Turkish Science Diaspora in the United States

In this report we provide some demographic characteristics of the Turkish scholars and scientists in the United States. The analysis uses TASSA’s contact database. We provide summary information regarding geographical distribution, institution type, and technical groups.   full story

From The President: Fall 2013

How exciting it is to let you know that the date of the TASSA Biennial meeting is set. It is going to BE on March 22-23, 2014. The 2012 meeting was a huge success and we will do our best to make the 2014 conference another success. Registration and further information will be on the next issue of The Bridge.   full story

Funding Opportunities to Connect U.S. and Turkish Universities

Here's a recent list of programs and funding opportunities to bring U.S. Student and Faculty Researchers to Turkey, and also to bring Turkish Student and Faculty Researchers to the United States.   full story

Young Scholar Profile: Conversation with Alp Simsek

I came to the US when I was 17 to study at MIT. I didn't make a deliberate plan to come to the US at an early age -it was to some extent a chance event. I went to high school in Izmir Fen Lisesi (IFL). I enjoyed my time at IFL, not the least because it introduced me to math olympiads. I won a medal in a national competition organized by TUBITAK. I knew one past olympiad winner, also from IFL, who had continued his education at MIT. Although my main plan was to study in Turkey, I also decided to apply to MIT and got admitted through the waiting list. It was then an easy decision to come to the US since MIT is an excellent university.   full story

Gizem Donmez on Brain Aging

Brain aging is associated with many biological, physiological and pathological changes. Aging affects the structure and function of our brains. These age-related changes lead to a decline in learning and memory together with psychological changes. Most importantly, aging is the major risk factor for almost all of the neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s Diseases. 1 in 3 people over age 80 have Alzheimer’s Disease. Unfortunately, there is still no cure or effective treatment for these diseases.   full story

A conversation with Nihal Altan-Bonnet

I was born in Ankara. My father was a member of the Turkish Foreign Service and because of his postings I got to travel a lot and live in different countries as a child. When I was 14 we moved to New York City. Even though my family stayed for 5 years and then moved back to Turkey. I was interested in pursuing a scientific career so I decided to stay and continue on to college and graduate school in the US. I received my PhD from The Rockefeller University in 1998 and then went on to do post-doctoral training at the National Institutes of Health. I then became an Assistant Professor at Rutgers University in 2006. Since this September I have a new position as lab head at the National Institutes of Health.   full story

From The President:Summer 2013

This issue of The Bridge features many recognitions of Turkish scientists in the United States. Their accomplishments make us all proud and bring us some happiness during these tough days. The Turkish Science Diaspora work very hard for the betterment of life on earth and it is very pleasing to see that their hard work receive the recognition they deserve. And please note that, the successes we feature are only a sample so to give a more complete representation please share your accomplishments with us. Let us feature them and let the whole world know about your hard work.   full story

Crossing the Bridge - July 2013

TUBITAK Science and Society Department has launched two new programs to create and publish web-based high quality educational materials in Turkish and hence to improve the quality of undergraduate education in Turkey: TUBITAK 5001-Call for e-Books and TUBITAK 5002-Call for e-Courses.   full story

A Conversation with Dr. Hayat Onyuksel

I have received my Pharmacy (BSc) degree from Ankara University, Ph.D. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from London University, and I did my post-doctoral studies at the University of Michigan, College of Pharmacy. Prior to my current affiliation at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of pharmacy, I worked as a faculty member at the Ankara University, School of Pharmacy more than 6 years.   full story