10/04/2026
What a privilege to attend and be one of the sponsors of the Turkish American Scientist and Scholars association , TASSA Annual Conference 2026, surrounded by some of the most brilliant scientists, scholars, innovators, and inspiring minds in our community.
Themed : “Bridging Innovation in the Era of AI: Transnational Impact Across the U.S. and Türkiye,”
It was an extraordinary honor to be at the Sancar Turkish Cultural & Community Center in North Carolina and also to celebrate Nobel Laureate Prof. Aziz Sancar and his 80th birthday a life and legacy that continue to make all of us so incredibly proud.
And my dear Prof. Canan Dağdeviren… Canan Dagdeviren you took us on such an emotional journey. You have this beautiful ability to bring science, humanity, culture and heart into the same room. There were moments we were inspired, moments we laughed, and moments when there wasn’t a dry eye around us.
Meeting Çiğdem Özer, Çiğdem Özer the granddaughter of legendary Turkish folk poet Âşık Veysel, was another unforgettable moment. Listening to her stories and personal memories of Âşık Veysel felt as though we were transported to another era, bringing his words, spirit, and legacy to life in such a meaningful way.
My everyday world may be real estate helping people buy, sell, invest, and find a place to call home …but being in a room like this reminds me how connected all of our worlds really are. Whether we are building homes, building businesses, building technology or building the future, it is ultimately about people, community, and the impact we leave behind.
