窪蹋勛圖厙

 

Exploring what makes us human

Grad profile: Emre Fertan, Faculty of Science

- May 27, 2015

Faculty of Science graduate Emre Fertan. (Danny Abriel photo)
Faculty of Science graduate Emre Fertan. (Danny Abriel photo)

When recalling some of the reasons he was drawn to Halifax for university, Emre Fertan described his desire for a change of pace. Halifax was a stark contrast to the busy and often chaotic city of Istanbul where Emre grew up, which made it the perfect place to call home and focus on his Bachelor of Science degree.

Halifax is very welcoming, especially when people find out youre an international student, says Emre, noting that strangers in front of him in line somewhere wouldnt turn around and strike up a conversation in Istanbul.

But it was Emres second year studying at 窪蹋勛圖厙that he calls his turning point in Canada. Emre began working in Richard Browns behavioural neuroscience lab and instantly knew he would dedicate his career to working with the human brain. What makes us human is our cognitive function, he says.

In Dr. Browns lab, Emre has been studying mouse models of Alzheimers disease. Once your brain starts to fade, youre no longer you anymore and thats a huge deal, he says, noting the significance of the life-changing disease.

He says he learns the most in the lab, but his volunteer experience with the QEII Health Sciences Centre gives him a unique perspective as well. Emre walks with geriatric patients so they can get exercise and interact with people from outside the hospital. Some of the patients have dementia, and its a reminder of why we do what we do, and why its so important, he says.

Building off his undergraduate degree in neuroscience, the honours student will continue to work with Dr. Browns research team in pursuit of a masters degree. After that, Emre has his sights on medical school.

In the last four years, Ive learned how the smallest molecules in the brain regulate the most complex behaviours, says Emre. I have Dal to thank for that.

This article is part of our series of profiles on the graduates of the Class of 2015. These profiles are also published in the Convocation Keepsake which is distributed at Convocation ceremonies. For more information (including live webcasts),.