29/08/2025
Sabancı University recently hosted Rüzgar, a student from the University of Cologne, under the Erasmus+ program, reinforcing its commitment to international academic cooperation. During his stay, Rüzgar successfully completed her graduation project, which focused on stem cell differentiation in a dynamic research environment. She shares his experience in her own words.
My name is Rüzgar, and I am a senior biology student from the University of Cologne, Germany. Spending my Erasmus+ stay at the Mustafaoglu Lab at Sabancı University was one of the most transformative periods of my academic and personal life.
Coming from the University of Cologne as a biology student, I joined an interdisciplinary neuroscience lab that exposed me to a dynamic research environment, pushing me far beyond my comfort zone in the best way possible.
Academically, my time at Sabancı gave me the opportunity to work on a thesis project involving the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into neural lineages using 3D bioprinting approaches. This hands-on work allowed me to explore the intersection of bioengineering, molecular biology, and regenerative medicine. Being directly involved in experimental design, qPCR and Western blot analyses, immunostaining, and data interpretation challenged me to refine both my technical skills and my scientific reasoning.
Although navigating a fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable research setting came with its own set of challenges, each obstacle was also a chance to develop resilience and independence—skills that I know will serve me in my future career. Beyond the lab, what truly shaped my experience was the supportive and intellectually stimulating environment created by the people around me. I had the privilege of learning from and working with inspiring researchers, including my principal investigator, Nur Mustafaoglu, who consistently encouraged my growth and welcomed my questions with patience and clarity. Conversations with fellow students and lab members often turned into brainstorming sessions that sparked new ideas and perspectives.
Culturally, returning to my home country, Turkey, under the Erasmus+ program gave me a renewed appreciation for its academic potential and vibrant student life. The Sabancı campus, with its modern infrastructure, beautiful nature, and warm community, quickly felt like a second home. From Turkish coffee breaks with lab mates to intense writing sessions in the library, I found a rhythm that balanced academic focus with social connection.
This exchange reminded me that science is not just about experiments but about collaboration, dialogue, and curiosity. It also reaffirmed my passion for neurobiology and my goal to pursue a career that bridges scientific research and innovation. I leave Sabancı not only with a completed thesis and new technical skills but also with a deep sense of gratitude for the mentorship I received, the friendships I built, and the personal growth I experienced.
