A new invention from Canan Dağdeviren: 'For my aunt whom I lost to cancer...'

One of the guests this year at ALIS (A Look Into Science), an international student congress organized regularly every year by students of the Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine, was the 39-year-old world-renowned expert in the field of physics engineering Assoc. Prof. Dr. Canan Dağdeviren.  In her speech at the congress titled 'Darkness is Also Necessary for Light,' Dağdeviren remained on stage for nearly an hour, frequently emphasizing to students the importance of not giving up and continuing on one's path after falling.

Dağdeviren, who was named a Junior Fellow at Harvard University in 2014 and included in the BBC's 100 Women list, continues her work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab in the United States.

Dağdeviren  pioneered the invention of a flexible and wearable pacemaker that can be attached to the heart, lungs, and diaphragm to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Unlike others, this device, which Dağdeviren invented with her team, generates the energy required for the pacemaker itself. It does not need to be replaced for 5-7 years.  Canan Dağdeviren, who also invented a wearable ultrasound scanner, enables the early detection of breast cancer. Women can perform easy and frequent screenings by wearing this device inside their bras.

Speaking to Hürriyet.com, Dağdeviren emphasized the importance of participating in the International Student Symposium for her with the following words:

"My hope for the young generation has blossomed even more"

 "Participating in this student seminar in particular, meeting the wonderful minds and students there who have ranked at the top in Turkey, chatting with the professors, meeting medical doctor candidates from other cities in Turkey, and evaluating their projects that made it to the finals was truly wonderful. My hope for the young generation in Turkey has blossomed even more, and I was reminded once again—as I always motivate myself—that I was not wrong and that my hope remains alive."

"I do experience homesickness"

Dağdeviren, who continues her work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab in America, said the following about the process of being away from the country: "Before Tayga and the pandemic, I was traveling to Turkey very frequently. At least 3-4 times a year, both for my work and to give presentations. I was going to different cities in Anatolia to meet with students. I do experience homesickness. For example, I miss the taste of the water. I miss the smell of bakeries in Turkey. I miss chatting with people. However, since I come and go and keep a close watch, I don't feel like I am too far away from Turkey."

"I made it for my aunt whom I lost to brain cancer"

Explaining the device she produced for Parkinson's patients, Dağdeviren said, "Brain pacemakers are used in the brains of Parkinson's patients, and these pacemakers contain electrodes that provide voltage application. However, these electrodes deteriorate over time due to fluid accumulation in the brain. We designed a device that completely eliminates this and aims to increase the neuronal activities performed by the electrodes through physical vibration. By the way, this project took exactly 8 years; it was quite long. We encountered many problems, but we finally achieved it. It was a wonderful contribution both for my personal life and for the scientific world. I had made this for my uncle's wife, whom I lost to brain cancer at the age of 38. And that is how it entered the literature. I also mentioned her in the acknowledgments section of the article. How happy I am that I was able to accomplish this." she stated.