My name is Gizem, and I am currently a sophomore at Bowdoin College pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physics and government and legal studies with a concentration in international relations. Although I study at Brunswick, ME and love to spend my holidays in DC, I am originally from Istanbul, Turkey. I aspire to have a career in public service focusing on science policy and defense technologies. I believe sciences, physics in particular, possess immense potential for technological advancements to improve standards of living all around the world.

At Bowdoin, I work as the Maine Votes Democracy Ambassador, raising civic engagement on campus and I am a proud member of Women in Physics. Aside from physics and politics, I act and write for the stage and was lucky enough to perform in The Wolves with a great group of women in front of an audience post pandemic. One of the plays I authored, The Ripped Flag, was put on stage by the Indie Theatre Group at Robert College in Istanbul. In this upcoming summer, I am excited work with many physicists and can’t wait to learn more about the nuances of science writing and communication at AIP Physics Today.