about me
This page was last updated in April 2007. I'm leaving the warning paragraph here because I update it far too infrequently. If this is old, follow the links from my home page for more up-to-date information. If it's recent, you will find some vital statistics—hopefully enough that if you've just stumbled across my blog it gives you some context—here: Born 21^st of November 1977, in Istanbul Lived Istanbul for 2 years North London (various suburbs) until 1996 Brighton until 2002 Bristol for one summer Out of a backpack from September 2002 till mid-2003 Cleveland, Ohio from August 2003 to June 2005 Seattle, Washington from July 2005 onwards Edumacated A private school just outside London that combined some educational merits with an absurd disciplinary fustiness, and an excessive "do it this way because we told you to" ethos. A levels in English Literature, French and German, and an AS in Philosophy. Made my escape in 1996. Psychology BA at Sussex, near Brighton. Graduated in 1999 Evolutionary & Adaptive Systems MSc at Sussex. Studied part time, graduated in 2002. Computer Science PhD at Case. Started 2003, will probably graduate in 2007 or 2008. My lab has moved to Indiana University, Bloomington, but I am still registered at Case for administrative purposes. Worked Various IT teaching jobs, ranging from half-day introductory Windows classes to fairly involved web site development courses. Intermittently (usually part time) from 1998 to 2002. Quality Assurance, user manual writing, web interface development and basically everything that the experienced people in the company didn't want to touch. Between my BA and my MSc, and hopefully never again, though it taught me a lot. Research Intern. I was lucky enough to be hired by a very cool research group at HP Labs in Bristol, where I did the thesis portion of my MSc. 2002. University Teaching Assistant. One term as an undergrad, and all through my PhD so far. The most interesting semester was Fall 2004, when I worked on an introductory computer programming class. Web developer. But I never was any good at that, and now that the market is competitive I don't stand a chance. Hobbies Cycling, skiing, hiking, music, photography, cooking. Ethnicity Jewish (Ashkenaz and Sefarad). Religion None. Nationality Take your pick. It's a silly concept anyway. Drinks Tea (unsullied by milk or sugar), whisky (unsullied by ice or blending), wine, ale.

about me

This page was last updated in April 2007. I'm leaving the warning paragraph here because I update it far too infrequently. If this is old, follow the links from my home page for more up-to-date information. If it's recent, you will find some vital statistics—hopefully enough that if you've just stumbled across my blog it gives you some context—here:

Born

21^st of November 1977, in Istanbul

Lived

Istanbul for 2 years
North London (various suburbs) until 1996
Brighton until 2002
Bristol for one summer
Out of a backpack from September 2002 till mid-2003
Cleveland, Ohio from August 2003 to June 2005
Seattle, Washington from July 2005 onwards

Edumacated

A private school just outside London that combined some educational merits with an absurd disciplinary fustiness, and an excessive "do it this way because we told you to" ethos. A levels in English Literature, French and German, and an AS in Philosophy. Made my escape in 1996.
Psychology BA at Sussex, near Brighton. Graduated in 1999
Evolutionary & Adaptive Systems MSc at Sussex. Studied part time, graduated in 2002.
Computer Science PhD at Case. Started 2003, will probably graduate in 2007 or 2008. My lab has moved to Indiana University, Bloomington, but I am still registered at Case for administrative purposes.

Worked

Various IT teaching jobs, ranging from half-day introductory Windows classes to fairly involved web site development courses. Intermittently (usually part time) from 1998 to 2002.
Quality Assurance, user manual writing, web interface development and basically everything that the experienced people in the company didn't want to touch. Between my BA and my MSc, and hopefully never again, though it taught me a lot.
Research Intern. I was lucky enough to be hired by a very cool research group at HP Labs in Bristol, where I did the thesis portion of my MSc. 2002.
University Teaching Assistant. One term as an undergrad, and all through my PhD so far. The most interesting semester was Fall 2004, when I worked on an introductory computer programming class.
Web developer. But I never was any good at that, and now that the market is competitive I don't stand a chance.

Hobbies

Cycling, skiing, hiking, music, photography, cooking.

Ethnicity

Jewish (Ashkenaz and Sefarad).

Religion

None.

Nationality

Take your pick. It's a silly concept anyway.

Drinks

Tea (unsullied by milk or sugar), whisky (unsullied by ice or blending), wine, ale.