Why did you choose to study in Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety at the University of Helsinki?
I was studying pharmacy, focusing more on the academic side of my studies instead of social pharmacy or the industry side. Therefore, I thought that the research and development aspect of this programme would be a good fit for my future endeavours. Secondly, the academic culture in Finland is different from that in Türkiye. Finland has a more balanced and flexible research environment, and the facilities and opportunities provided by the University are invaluable. In my opinion, this makes the University of Helsinki one of the best universities to study pharmacy. I felt it would be a good place to start an academic career in pharmaceutical research.
What was it like to study in the programme?
The master's programme provides an international environment with plenty of opportunities to get to know people from different cultures. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the professors were supportive. It was nice to be part of such an encouraging environment. In our studies, we focused on bringing theory into practice, dealt with real-life situations using practical knowledge, and worked together on projects as part of our courses. Our studies included a lot of group work – something that is often missing from pharmacy education.
How did your studies help you discover your research interests?
During my bachelor’s degree in Türkiye, I worked in an analytical chemistry laboratory, gaining hands-on laboratory experience. During my master’s studies, I continued laboratory work with a focus on drug development and explored pharmaceutical chemistry. Over time, I shifted my focus to computational modeling, which has now become my main research area. I’m currently pursuing a PhD in Drug Research, which builds directly on my master’s studies. Many people associate pharmacy only with clinical or social practice, yet there is also a vibrant research side to the discipline. Behind the scenes, researchers develop innovative projects supported by strong funding and collaboration. That’s the area I’m most passionate about and where I see my career continuing to grow in the future.
Did you have a clear career path from the start?
I knew from the beginning of my bachelor’s that I wanted to pursue an academic career. However, pharmaceutical sciences include many different fields, so I spent time exploring which area I wanted to focus on in academia. It was all about clarifying my passion through experience and participation.
Which part of your studies and student life has helped you the most in your career?
There are three main aspects of my studies and student life that have helped me the most in my career. First, group work throughout the programme taught me how to collaborate effectively with others. Second, getting to know the practical side of research gave me hands-on experience that I could apply to real-world projects. Third, the possibility to take optional courses inspired me and allowed me to explore areas such as molecular modelling, which I knew I wanted to pursue in the future. In addition, skills like programming and data science are essential for everyone in the field. Although some courses were difficult to find in English, there were still plenty of valuable options available.
What was the biggest personal or professional breakthrough you experienced during your master’s studies?
Before receiving my PhD position, I was uncertain about how to prove myself and came close to giving up. Adjusting to a new country was a challenge, especially since Finland is an expensive country, and the job market was not easy to navigate. The real breakthroughs for me were moving to Finland and starting my PhD after graduation. Receiving the PhD offer was a huge honour and marked a turning point in my life. Throughout this period, my family and my wife provided invaluable support, both financially and emotionally. Their encouragement helped me persevere through difficult times and strengthened my determination to continue my academic career.
What advice would you give to the current or future students of the programme?
If you are considering a PhD, it’s important to develop time and stress management skills, patience and passion. For studying in the programme itself, I would recommend exploring what researchers are doing and experiencing it firsthand. You need to try it first to see if it fits you, and if it doesn’t, have the courage to acknowledge it and make a change.