Theme: The Journey of Self Discovery

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Gebze Teknik Üniversitesi Kongre ve Kültür Merkezi Kırmızı Salon
Gebze Teknik Üniversitesi Sağlık Kültür ve Spor Dairesi Başkanlığı Kongre ve Kültür Merkezi Binası P.K : 41400 Gebze / KOCAELİ
Ground floor
Kocaeli, Kocaeli, 41400
Turkey

Bergen Özüaydın

Philosopher, Psychologist, and Educator

Doç. Dr. Bergen Coşkun Özüaydın is a philosopher, psychologist, and educator at Maltepe University. She completed her undergraduate studies at Istanbul University’s Business Administration Faculty in 1998, followed by dual major studies in Philosophy and Psychology at Maltepe University, where she graduated as the second in her faculty in 2008. Bergen completed her master's in Ethics and Applied Ethics, again topping her class. She received her Ph.D. in Philosophy in 2015. She teaches courses on Ethics, Human Philosophy, Human Rights, 20th Century Philosophy, and Existentialism. She has also been actively involved in voice acting and theater. Bergen is a content creator focused on researching ways to live a better and happier life through philosophy and psychology. She is also known for her educational work, particularly through the Arkhé Project, where she led programs like "Desire and Jealousy."

Can Kayacılar

Entrepreneur, Biotechnologist, and Food Innovation Expert

Can Kayacılar is an entrepreneur and researcher in food and biotechnology with over 20 years of experience. He graduated in Biology from Abant İzzet Baysal University and completed a Master's in Neuroscience at Istanbul University’s Experimental Medicine Research Institute. He also holds a doctoral qualification in Advanced Neurological Sciences from Istanbul University. In 2012, he won first place in Turkey's Technological Entrepreneurship Program for his project on improving the bioavailability of plant-derived phytochemicals through nanobiotechnology. Can founded Turkey's first nanobiotechnology company, creating innovative products. He also played a key role in establishing pioneering functional food companies. Can has presented at national and international conferences and published research in scientific journals. His expertise includes food biotechnology, entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability, with a goal to revolutionize the food industry in Turkey.

Cansu Tarım

Content Creator, Actress & Musician

Cansu Tarım is a content creator, actress, and musician with a dynamic presence across social media and stage performances. After graduating from the Department of Music Education at Marmara University, she began her career in theater with notable roles in productions such as "The Little Prince" and "Sugar Orange" at Bozok Theater. Her social media presence has garnered her a substantial following, with over 322,000 followers on Instagram and recognition as a nominee in the "Comedy Content Creator of the Year" category on TikTok. Additionally, she has collaborated with well-known artists like Oğuz Kalak on the song "Sen Kal Yanımda" and Arda Aydoğdu on "Hislerim Ateş." Cansu is known for her comedic skits, musical projects, and vibrant personality, becoming a key influencer in the digital content space while continuing to pursue her passion for theater and music.

Daron Yöndem

Tech Lead at Microsoft, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Professional Scrum Master, Microsoft Certified Trainer

With over 20 years of experience in solution architecture, team building, and engineering leadership, Daron Yöndem currently serves as a Tech Lead at Microsoft, spearheading the innovation of Azure AI-infused applications across the CEMA region, which encompasses 109 countries over three continents. He is an Azure Solutions Architect Expert, a Professional Scrum Master, and a Microsoft Certified Trainer, with skills in SaaS development, cloud-native architecture, and software development. Daron is also passionate about coaching and wellness, focusing on physical health, mental health, and career outcomes with a holistic approach. As a speaker at international conferences, he shares his expertise and insights on cutting-edge topics such as engineering culture, serverless technologies, DevOps, AI, and IoT. He has authored a book on Microsoft's global database service, CosmosDB. Daron's mission is to help individuals and organizations thrive in the digital era.

Doğan Kabak

Automotive Journalist and Content Creator

Doğan Kabak is a well-known automotive journalist, content creator, and YouTuber with over 16 years of experience in the automotive industry. He has worked as the editor-in-chief of notable automotive magazines such as EVO and Autocar and is currently the publisher of TopGear Turkey. In addition to his journalistic work, Doğan Kabak has a large following on YouTube, where he shares car reviews, test drives, and insights about the automotive world. He also gained fame as a contestant on the reality show Exatlon Challenge. His expertise lies in automotive journalism and content creation, making him a respected voice in the field.

İpek Şenoğlu Turna

Professional Tennis Player, Sports Manager, Speaker

Born in 1979, İpek Şenoğlu Turna is a trailblazing Turkish tennis player. She was the first Turkish female athlete to compete in Grand Slam tournaments, including Wimbledon, Roland Garros, the US Open, and the Australian Open, reaching a career-high doubles ranking of 52 in the world. Representing Turkey 176 times, she became a 42-time national champion. After retiring, she managed a sports consultancy firm for nine years, served as the General Manager of Clubsporium, and was a Board Member at Asaş Group. She continues to contribute to sports by mentoring young athletes, giving motivational speeches, and organizing the Bridgestone İpek Şenoğlu Cup. She is also working on a book titled The Road to Success.

Onur Okan Demirci

Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist & Trainer

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Okan Demirci is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist based in Istanbul, Turkey. He graduated from İnönü University Faculty of Medicine and specialized in psychiatry at Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health Hospital. Dr. Demirci has expertise in treating trauma-related psychiatric disorders and uses techniques like EMDR and Hypno-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (HCBT). He is the founder of Zi&oN Psychiatry Academy, offering training to professionals and corporate clients. He also teaches at Istanbul Gelişim University, contributing to mental health education. Dr. Demirci is dedicated to advancing mental health care and regularly participates in international conferences.

Sabri Can Onay Yontar

Chess Player, Content Creator, and Engineer

Sabri Can Onay Yontar is a Turkish chess player, content creator, and engineer. He was born in 1993 and graduated from Pertevniyal High School before studying Space Engineering at Istanbul Technical University. Sabri Can is actively involved in chess, with a FIDE rating of 1935. He creates educational content related to chess, which he shares on his YouTube channel and various social media platforms. In addition to his chess expertise, Sabri Can shares his knowledge of engineering and technology through online content. His social media presence includes engaging with his audience on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, where he shares his insights and experiences.

Tuana Yılmaz

Product Designer, Musician & Content Creator

Tuana Yılmaz, born on June 22, 1994, is a product designer, singer, and content creator. She graduated from Istanbul Technical University with a degree in Industrial Design and then pursued a master’s degree in technology-integrated products at Politecnico di Milano. After graduation, she worked at a product development company in Italy. Yılmaz has a keen interest in innovation and user experience design. She enjoys traveling and has visited several countries, including Norway, Sweden, France, and Italy. Passionate about skateboarding, ATV riding, and singing, she also creates music and shares it on platforms like YouTube and Spotify. As a content creator, Yılmaz produces creative and engaging content, blending design and music to reach a diverse audience.

Uzay Çetin

Computer Engineer, AI Expert, and Educator

Dr. Uzay Çetin is a computer engineer and artificial intelligence expert currently working as a faculty member at Galatasaray University's Computer Engineering Department. He completed his master's in artificial intelligence at Pierre and Marie Curie University and his Ph.D. in Complex Systems at Boğaziçi University. Dr. Çetin is also the co-founder of the startup Summarify. He regularly organizes free machine learning courses for young people with the Sarıyer Municipality and provides machine learning consultancy for various companies. His research focuses on algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and pattern recognition, and he has published numerous papers in academic journals and conferences. In addition to his academic career, he organizes multidisciplinary workshops on complex systems and data science.