I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Iowa. My research focuses on the intersection of political media habits, public opinion, and democratic engagement, with an emphasis on how everyday media consumption shapes political behavior, deepens societal divides, and affects mental well-being in the United States.

A key contribution of my work is the adaptation of the Self-Reported Habitual Index (SRHI) to measure political news habits. This dual-measure approach captures both the frequency of news consumption and its automaticity—how often people engage with political media as part of their daily routine, often without deliberate intention. I employ a range of methods, including original and panel survey data, digital diary studies that track real-time media use and emotional responses, and text analysis combined with machine learning to explore the content and dynamics of political communication.

Awards and fellowships

• Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Council on Teaching, University of Iowa, 2025
• CLAS Dissertation Writing Fellowship, University of Iowa, 2025
• Post-Comprehensive Research Fellowship, Graduate College, University of Iowa, 2025
• Lowenberg and Mans Scholarship, University of Iowa, 2024
• Summer Research Fellowship, University of Iowa, 2023
• Undergraduate Thesis Award, Second Place, Bilkent University, 2018
• Summa Cum Laude, Salutatorian, Bilkent University, 2018
• Summer Research Fellowship, Koç University, 2019

Grants

• Departmental Research Grant, University of Iowa, 2025 ($1,000)
• Departmental Conference Travel Grants, University of Iowa, 2020–2025