Biography

Özgen Berkol DOĞAN, who was born on July 29, 1980, in Ankara, started his education life with the “Tante Liz” kindergarten opened by an Austrian lady in 1984. Some of his primary school years were spent in Erzurum, where his father went as an official. However, he completed his primary education in Istanbul, Nurettin Teksan Primary School. Doğan, who was entitled to enter Robert College in 1991, received the “Michael Hamilton” Physics Award while graduating in 1998. This award is given to a single student who demonstrates an outstanding talent in physics every year in memory of Michael Hamilton, who lost his life in a plane crash in Isparta at a young age while teaching physics at Robert College. His success in the ÖSYM exams gave Doğan the chance to do his undergraduate education at the university and department of his choice. He entered Boğaziçi University Physics Department among only four choices he made. Doğan, who was also interested in genetic engineering in high school, explained the reason why he preferred experimental physics; He interpreted it as “the desire to choose a field of research in which he can live the results, rather than the developments whose results he cannot see”.

When he completed his undergraduate education in 2003, he continued his master’s studies in the physics department of Boğaziçi University by Prof. Dr. Engin ARIK. He specialized in experimental high-particle physics, and also joined the staff of Boğaziçi University as a research assistant during this period. He wrote his master’s thesis based on the studies and analyzes he conducted at CERN (Centre Européen des Recherches Nucléaires), to which he was sent by the university. Working on the CAST experiment at CERN, Doğan spent most of his last years in Geneva, where these large laboratories are located. Doğan, who participated in the doctoral program at Boğaziçi University in 2006, represented Boğaziçi University at various international physics congresses held in Serbia, Italy, Romania, Greece and Turkey during these years. Berkol had many interests outside of physics. He did hobby-level studies in fields such as dance, painting, photography and mountaineering. His passion for dancing began during his middle school years at Robert College. When he moved to high school, he attended the school’s tango lessons. They participated in various shows with the tango group they formed. She continued her dance activities at Boğaziçi University through the school’s club. While he was on duty in Geneva, he continued his passion for dance at the hobby level by taking private tango lessons from Argentine teachers. In the words of high school physics teacher Alison OĞUZ, Berkol loved tango passionately. In addition to these, the three novels that he translated from English to Turkish and published by Ithaki Publications also show Doğan’s interest in literature. Doğan, who could easily follow world literature thanks to his ability to read books very quickly, also watched movies from different countries with interest. Doğan is also writing a science fiction novel with autobiographical elements. Interested in getting to know the world, Doğan traveled to Europe by interrail during his university years and made a domestic tour of Southeastern Anatolia by train. Being extremely selective about human relations, Doğan valued his family and friends very much and did not hesitate to show his love for them. He attracted attention with his sincere attitude towards foreigners. Doğan, who voluntarily participated in search and rescue efforts during the 1999 Izmit Earthquake, approached everyone he met with sincerity and attached great importance to honesty. This young person, who never lost his childlike spirit, was also a responsible and bright person. He passed away on November 30, 2007, on the way to the higher physics congress to be held at Isparta Süleyman Demirel University with his physicist friends and professors.