Written by Bilgunay Ilkin Safa, M.D.
I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, a city rich in history and culture. Growing up, my mother, a dedicated nurse, was my first inspiration. From a young age, I admired the way she helped people and it made me want to pursue a career in healthcare.
In Turkey, gaining admission to medical school is highly competitive, with thousands of students competing for limited spots. I was fortunate to be in the top 1 in 1,000 among students trying to get into university, which opened the door for me to pursue my dream. When I entered medical school, I was deeply fascinated by the science behind medicine. Up until that point I had only considered healthcare from the perspective of patient care. It was in medical school where I discovered my passion for research. I became captivated by the idea of investigating the unknown, seeking out the mechanisms behind diseases, and thinking about how scientific discoveries could directly impact patient outcomes.
It was during this time that I realized I wanted to be not just a physician, but a physician-scientist. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship for one of research projects, which allowed me to work at the İzmir Biogenome Center. This experience was transformative. I remember eagerly anticipating the end of my day at university so I could head to the lab and dive into research. It felt like living a double life—medical student by day, scientist by night. In many ways, I felt like my own version of Superman, balancing both worlds and thriving in the energy that came from pursuing my passion.
This dual identity of clinician and researcher is something I wanted to carry forward in my career. I knew that combining medicine with scientific research was where I could make the most difference, so I decided to pursue my dream in the U.S., which felt like a perfect fit for my ambitions.
Currently, I work with Dr. Mona Mashayekhi in Mashayekhi lab. Our research focuses on the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors on adipose tissue and systemic inflammation. I work closely with immune cells, exploring how these therapies can reduce inflammation and contribute to the treatment of metabolic diseases. It’s a field that combines my love for science and my dedication to improving patient care, and I’m excited to continue advancing my work in this area.