Defne Ege Ozan in the United Kingdom
We're featuring alumni from all over the world from A to Z. Our next stop is the United Kingdom with Defne Ege Ozan, a PhD at Imperial College London in the Department of Aeronautics.
What country are you currently living in, and what motivated your decision to move there?
I am currently living in London, United Kingdom. I moved here after my Master’s to pursue a PhD. My decision was primarily driven by my research interests as I was very excited about the offered project. Beyond academia, the prospect of living in London was also highly appealing. The city has a dynamic and diverse environment with a rich cultural scene, from museums and theatre to restaurants of every cuisine.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
We have a flexible working schedule, and I usually work from 10 am to 6 pm. When I find a little break, I like going for a walk or a run in one of the many parks in the city, which I really appreciate about London. I love looking at all the cute dogs running around as well as the ducks and the geese! And of course, afternoon tea is a British tradition. Through friends, I have picked up crocheting and sewing, which I like doing in my free time to rewind.
How has the country you're living in influenced your daily life?
The international nature of London meant that I could connect with a wide range of people from different backgrounds, both professionally and socially. It is common to go to the pub with colleagues after work. On the downside, London is also very busy, which can get a bit exhausting sometimes, especially when commuting in the evening and I get caught in the rush hour. To get away from the city, I discovered the British countryside, which offers some idyllic landscapes with rolling hills, cliffs and thatched roof cottages
What is your current job, and what does your typical workday look like?
I am near completion of my PhD at Imperial College London in the Department of Aeronautics. I am working on developing machine learning methods to predict and control chaotic systems, which appear in fluid dynamics. Specifically, I am investigating methods for optimal design and control of energy and transportation systems to reach sustainability goals. Because my work is computational, I spend most of my workday coding and analysing data. I also interact and exchange ideas with colleagues from diverse scientific backgrounds. Apart from my work in the office, I travel both within the UK and internationally to attend conferences. I also take part in outreach activities, engaging with both children and adults to introduce them to artificial intelligence and its applications in our research.
Were there specific courses or activities during your time at ETH that have proven to be particularly valuable for you?
The courses I took have been extremely helpful, especially System Identification, Dynamic Programming and Optimal Control, and Recursive Estimation. These courses have been foundational in building a background for my current research. I am excited to explore the connections between control theory, machine learning and fluid dynamics! The research experience I gained during my thesis thanks to my supervisors has been very valuable too to set me out on my academic journey.
Have you faced any challenges since living in London, and how have you addressed them?
The biggest challenge in London is the cost of living, especially when it comes to housing. I have had to move around quite a few times, so I am still navigating this challenge!
What is a "typical" word of the country?
A "typical" word in the UK is "Cheers!" to say thank you. Another one that I like is "Chop chop!" to say hurry to someone.
What’s your favorite traditional dish?
My favourite is the steak and kidney pie, though fish and chips is a close second.
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