Winners of the Amgen Türkiye Science Competition Announced

Winners have been announced in the IamGenius Biotechnology Ideas Competition, held for the first time this year by Amgen Turkey to help young people unlock their potential in science. In the competition, where the most creative ideas on "Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence for Health" were evaluated and more than 200 students applied; in the university category, Elif Çisem Çöldür from Akdeniz University came first, Kübra Aydemir from Uludağ University came second, and Batuhan Hekimler from Koç University came third. In the high school category, Buket Mortaş from Ankara Science High School and Ece Arslan from Kocaeli Science High School shared first place, while Esila Özdemir from Izmit Science and Art Center came second. Osman Melih Bal from Izmit Science and Art Center and Selin Aşık from Okyanus College shared third place. Working with a philosophy of "pioneering science, vital medicines" to discover and develop treatments for people and place them in service of medicine, Amgen Turkey announced the winners of the IamGenius Biotechnology Ideas Competition, organized with the goal of instilling a passion for science in young people. In the competition, where projects on "Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence for Health" from high school, undergraduate and graduate students were evaluated, in the university category; Elif Çisem Çöldür from Akdeniz University came first, Kübra Aydemir from Uludağ University came second, and Batuhan Hekimler from Koç University came third. In the high school category, Buket Mortaş from Ankara Science High School and Ece Arslan from Kocaeli Science High School shared first place, while Esila Özdemir from Izmit Science and Art Center came second. Osman Melih Bal from Izmit Science and Art Center and Selin Aşık from Okyanus College shared third place. Winning students will have the opportunity to participate in internships and projects at Amgen Turkey and Gensenta, take part in seminars on the LabXchange platform designed with Harvard University, and participate in a mentorship program with Amgen employees from abroad during the September-November period.  

The students' projects were evaluated by a jury consisting of Dr. Devrim Demir Dora, Assistant Professor from the Department of Pharmacology, Internal Medical Sciences Division, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University; Prof. Dr. Ali İhsan Ertenli from the Department of Rheumatology, Hacettepe Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Dr. Erdem Göker from the Department of Medical Oncology, Tülay Aktaş Oncology Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University; Prof. Dr. Osman İlhan from the Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University; Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Necla Birgül İyison from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University; Prof. Dr. Ayşe Gülten Kantarcı from the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University; Associate Prof. Dr. Nilay Keskin Samancı from the Biology Education Department, Division of Mathematics and Science Education, Necmettin Erbakan University; Prof. Dr. Dilşad Sindel from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University; Dr. Elif Adıbelli Şahin, Education Expert from Kalkınma Atölyesi; Associate Prof. Dr. Urartu Şeker from the Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University; Prof. Dr. Uygar Tazebay from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gebze Technical University, as well as General Manager Güldem Berkman, Factory Director Dr. İrem Yenice and Market Access, Health Policy and Corporate Relations Director Dr. Bilgen Dölek from the Management Team of Amgen Turkey and Gensenta.

"We are passionate about science and spreading the horizon-expanding secrets of science"

Güldem Berkman, General Manager of Amgen and Gensenta, stated that with the IamGenius Biotechnology Ideas Competition, which they held for the first time this year, they aim to make science and especially biotechnology more appealing to more people, help young people unlock their potential in science, and contribute to their education in this field. Berkman said, "I congratulate all the students who participated in our competition. As a brand passionate about science and spreading the horizon-expanding secrets of science, we particularly aim to create a passion for science in our young people who will shape the future of our country. Through the competition, we also aim to inspire the next generation and strengthen science literacy. As Amgen Turkey, we will continue to launch new projects and initiatives in the field of biotechnology and science with our vision of instilling a passion for science for a sustainable world."