Hi! I'm Sefika Ozturk. I was born on the coast of the Mediterranean in a sunny city called Antalya. I moved to the US on my own at 18 to study at Vanderbilt as an Ingram Scholar.
My academic interests are in CS, Math and Data Science. In my free time, I think about cities, communities, religions and culture — complex systems comprised of humans and our byproducts, with all their emergent properties and beauty.
Books that have shaped my thinking include: Guns, Germs, and Steel, The Origin of Species, Brave New World, The Time Regulation Institute, I Am a Strange Loop, and more!
Famous role models: Richard Feynman (taught me to think from fundamentals), Canan Dağdeviren (taught me to shoot for the moon), Çağrı Mert Bakırcı (inspired the 6th grader Sefika to read any science book she can get her hands on). (Though, most of my role models are friends and family, primarily L, J, K, D.)
My favorite city in the entire world is NYC - I love the "world is your oyster" energy!
My favorite pastime is going on long walks to think — so much so that I've been captured outside by the Google Maps cars a few times. You can find me on Google Maps! :D
I love meeting new people and joining/cultivating communities. If you're reading this, let's chat sometime!! Book a time to meet or email me.
