It is a great pleasure to interview you, İlke!
Thank you very much for inviting me to this interview, Raffaella. I have been following your interviews closely and have learned a great deal about our colleagues through them!
Oh, I’m so happy to hear this! I would like to start from the beginning. How did you discover your passion for mathematics, and at what age?
I suppose my passion for mathematics developed gradually. Starting school at an earlier age than usual—my peers were, on average, 1.5 years older than me, which is significant at that age—I often felt out of place, which affected my learning progress. Although I performed well and always loved puzzles, I don't recall having a favorite subject back then. However, my passion became more apparent when we began covering more abstract concepts in class. I discovered a curiosity for abstract reasoning and was fascinated by ideas like irrational numbers and the existence of different types of geometries. This sparked my eagerness to explore more!
Thank you for sharing the difficult part as well. When I was preparing for this interview, I did a bit of internet stalking, and I have to say that I love how you write acknowledgements, how you make figures of snake graphs, and how you choose the titles of your papers. What are “friezes for a pair of pants”?
Thank you for the kind words! I wish I could claim credit for some of the titles and concepts in my work. Friezes, or frieze patterns, introduced by Coxeter, are infinite arrays of numbers where neighboring numbers satisfy a simple arithmetic rule. They possess symmetries and are the shadow of a richer structure. A “pair of pants” is a surface homeomorphic to a three-holed sphere, typically depicted as a pair of pants by considering one of the removed disks as the waist and the other two as the cuffs. In my paper, we provide a characterization of frieze patterns associated with a pair of pants.
Here is another historical tidbit: the terminology “snake graph” is inspired by the snake game, which was the only game available on the first popular mobile phone. This might seem ancient to some, but I'm old enough to have witnessed the global phenomenon it became! While I can't take credit for the term, we did introduce a relevant notion of “ouroboros”—an ancient symbol of a snake devouring its own tail—when boundary edges at the ends of a snake graph were identified, resembling an ouroboros. I have to admit that this term didn't catch on as much. We also introduced the notion of “grafting” snake graphs, which corresponds to gluing one snake graph onto another on an interior edge, a concept that is commonly used today.
Amazing! Did you have a role model who inspired you the most in your academic journey?
Oh, I sense a hint of internet stalking in this question! Reflecting on my academic journey, I'm reminded of the significant impact that female mathematicians had on me. Having role models who shared my identity and experiences helped me feel seen and inspired. In particular, two Hülyas from my undergraduate degree stood out for their exceptional mathematical skills and teaching abilities. They not only instilled in me a passion for mathematics but also taught me how to write proofs effectively and appreciate mathematical rigor. Moreover, they believed in my potential and encouraged me to pursue my academic goals, helping me build confidence and reignite my passion for learning.
I firmly believe that representation matters, and having female mathematicians as role models played a significant role in shaping my academic path. Interestingly, growing up in Türkiye, where the gender balance is more even, I didn't think my gender would hinder my academic progress. However, when I moved abroad, I was surprised to discover the significant gender gap in the Western world. It was a peculiar experience to be in a classroom where I was the only woman and sometimes the only person with an accent.
I would also have to say my grandma has been a great inspiration. Although she didn't directly motivate my academic journey, she always provided a space for me to express my desires and constantly encouraged me to pursue my dreams. The school holidays I spent with her in the countryside are the warmest memories I hold onto to this date.
I completely agree with what you said about representation, and I get very easily emotional with good grandmas’ stories!
Aw, that is so sweet, Raffaella, but so is my grandma!
Haha! Now, you are passionate about camping and hiking. What has been your wildest trip so far?
I've been fortunate to have had some exciting outdoor adventures, but one trip that stands out in my mind is the one I took in Greece during lockdown. We were out there wild camping in a not-so-touristy part of Greece, right when the lockdown was messing with international travel, so the place was pretty much deserted. We set up camp in various spots, sometimes just throwing up a mosquito net instead of a tent. We found all these hidden bays and chilled on empty beaches with the clearest water ever. Our last campsite was off the charts. You couldn't drive there, but we were lucky to have an inflatable kayak, so we paddled out to this cape and found this unbelievable spot. It was the real deal, totally worth the adventure, and we ended up spending the rest of our holiday right there.
Wow! Talking about lockdown, you moved to The Netherlands in 2019. Shortly after, you found yourself in lockdown. What was it like for you to start your new job this way?
Indeed, I was still getting myself settled when the lockdown hit. I had just gotten my basic furniture for my flat two weeks prior, and I found myself having Zoom meetings perched on my windowsill for hours on end. But the most challenging aspect was being in a new environment where I had no existing social network, and it seemed like there were no opportunities to meet new people. Despite being convinced that this city was the right fit for me, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being lost and alone. The struggle to adapt to this new reality was real. Huge shoutout to the friends I made during that time, who helped make the tough days a bit more bearable.
I am sorry to hear this. How was it to return to normal life afterwards?
As things gradually improved, I found my niche and connected with more people in the city, which I soon began to think of as home!
Nice! What are the things you like the most about the mathematics department at VU?
Oh, there are many great things in our department, but what really makes it special are the people, and the management which fosters and supports an inclusive environment there is in the department. It's wonderful to be part of such a diverse group, especially in a subject where the gender balance is usually quite skewed.
How does a diverse environment, like the one that we are fortunate to have in the department, impact the way you feel?
It feels good. It feels welcoming. It feels right. It makes it a place that you want to go back to.
You described it perfectly. Besides mathematics, camping, and hiking, what makes you happy?
First of all, there’s my furball, Merlin Kinzi, especially in the mornings when he turns into the most cuddly kitty. Props to my dear Karya, friends, and family who bring joy and inspiration to my life. I'm influenced by all sorts of art, particularly contemporary art, and I have future plans to collaborate with fellow artist friends. I used to be a film buff, devouring classic movies from around the world and discovering hidden gems at niche film festivals. While I still enjoy watching films with my Cineville card, my movie routine is now more relaxed.
Moreover, being close to water brings me a lot of joy and calmness. Having grown up in coastal cities in Türkiye, I naturally gravitate towards the nearest large body of water. Here, my go-to is the North Sea, and I find peace in leisurely strolls along its sandy shores.
Wonderful! Thank you for everything you shared, and for opening up on different topics!