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Ahmet Faruk Saz

4th Year PhD Student in ML (ECE)
‘A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.’ - Albert Einstein

Faruk is a 5th year Machine Learning Ph.D. student within the homeschool of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Faruk has completed his undergraduate education in Ankara, Turkey, receiving a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. During his undergraduate education, he interned at two R&D companies, working mainly on radar systems, localization, communications, and signal processing. His current research at Tech focuses on semantic and next generation communication systems. Faruk likes to spend his free time experimenting with whatever is intriguing him the most at a given moment. It can be as simple as reading a book, watching a show, or, if in the mood, buying a last-minute ticket to discover some state he has never visited before. He enjoys pretty much everything outdoors, so feel free to invite him if you are going to climb, camp, hike, walk, or jump off a plane (currently in his bucket list of things to do before leaving Tech)!

What inspired you to become a Leadership Fellow?: It first sounded like a cliché when an elderly I knew gave me the advice: “If one wants to be successful in life, one should never be afraid, of nothing, and of no one.” However, every single day in my life, I repeatedly came to realize that clichés exist for a reason. Most times, it is simply the fear of failure, fear of shame or whatever fear coming from our inexperience is what is holding us back. Life is like a big dark cave, and we are in the middle of the cave with just a flashlight in our hands. Since the cave is dark, and since we do not know what the darkness will bring, it feels tempting to want to spend our entire lives in the small area we can see. However, if we were to overcome our fear, get out of our comfort zone, and dare to explore, we would see that there is not much to fear. Life is all about discovery. There will be times we will be faced with difficulties, but this does not mean we should stop trying and fighting. When I first saw LEAD, I thought that it was a great opportunity to support others in their journeys, have their backs, and most important yet simply, be there for them. Acknowledging that leadership development is a mutually inclusive process for its participants, I hope to improve and develop along with the people I am working with. Only when we stop worrying about what might happen next, we can then achieve success.

Davide Balzerani

4th-Year PhD Student in Electrical and Computer Engineering
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step - Lao Tzu

Davide is a 4th-year PhD student in Electrical Engineering. Davide received his BS and MS in Electronics Engineering from Sapienza University of Rome. During his MS, Davide participated in a dual-degree program between Sapienza University of Rome and Georgia Tech receiving a MS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech. Davide is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Microfabrication and Optoelectronics and a minor in Materials Science Engineering. His research at Tech focuses on the study of compound semiconductors and the development of optoelectronic devices.

During his free time, Davide enjoys traveling, engaging in outdoor activities, and learning about different cultures. These passions led him to study for a semester at Georgia Tech Europe and to join an association of international students and scholars in Atlanta.

What inspired you to become a Leadership Fellow?: Davide was inspired to become a coach when he participated in the Leading Edge program. Being a coachee Davide understood the power of self-reflection. With the help of his coach, he developed essential leadership skills that he put into action by holding a position on the Executive Board of a student organization on campus. Davide first experience as a coach dates back to when he was in high school, and he has functioned in several leadership positions since then. Davide enjoys developing others and making a meaningful impact in their lives. As a coach, Davide aims to help students recognize their strengths and weaknesses and encourage them to step out of their comfort zone to become better leaders in academics, student organizations, and life.

Ejaz Ahmed

4th Year PhD Student in Public Policy

"Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein

Ejaz Ahmed is a PhD candidate specializing in Information and Communication Technology Policy, with a particular focus on privacy issues. His current research delves into the intricate areas of privacy legislation, antitrust regulations, and the application of AI decision-making processes in the development and deployment of hypersonic missiles. Ejaz brings a wealth of experience from his time at the Economist Intelligence Unit, where he honed his expertise in macroeconomic and public policy analysis.

He holds two master’s degrees—one in International Relations and the other in Conflict Studies—both of which have enriched his understanding of the complex dynamics between technology, governance, and global security.

In his free time, Ejaz is an avid outdoors person, enjoying activities such as hiking and bouldering. He also finds solace in reading books at the park and often hosts friends for Chai (Indian tea) at his home, embracing a warm and welcoming spirit. His adventurous side is evident in his bucket list aspirations, which include obtaining a private pilot's license, becoming a certified scuba diver, and visiting all 50 U.S. states before completing his PhD.

What inspired you to become a Leadership Fellow?

Throughout my life, I have benefited from the guidance of various coaches who have helped shape who I am today. Recognizing the profound impact this has had on my personal growth, I now realize the importance of coaching in becoming a wholesome person over time. It’s an unparalleled honor and opportunity to coach others in becoming the best versions of themselves, and there’s something intrinsically fulfilling in that endeavor. At the end of the day, we are all just walking each other home.

Elif Ceren Fitoz

5th Year PhD Student in Electrical and Computer Engineering
“The owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of dusk.” - G.W.F. Hegel

Ceren is pursuing her Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a research focus on neural signal processing for treatment-resistant depression. She received her BS from Bilkent University in Turkey. During her time, she had several internship experiences in several companies. In GT, Ceren received 2-years of Graduate Teaching Assistantship, where she enjoyed the invaluable learning/teaching experience.

What inspired you to become a Leadership Fellow?: Ceren wanted to use this opportunity to interact with others to share her experiences and show self-growth as a leadership coach. Ceren believes that major takeaways from this program are showing full potential in self-development, good communication skills, and keeping a healthy mindset in stressful environments. The skills this program will build will have visible impacts on both Coaches and Coachees in various areas of life, lucky to be a part of it!

Jacob Evans

3rd Year PhD Student in Aerospace Engineering
"The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." -Albert Einstein

Jacob is a PhD student in Aerospace Engineering in the Aerospace Systems Design Lab (ASDL), after previously completing his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, both at Georgia Tech. During his time at Tech, Jacob has served as president and student advisor for Pi Tau Sigma, as president of Omicron Delta Kappa, as chief engineer of Georgia Tech's semifinalist competition team in XPRIZE:Wildfire, and as chief engineer for two graduate projects. His current research is in system of systems optimization for wildfire response, and he is a TA for AE 6393/6394: System of Systems Engineering. In what little free time he has, Jacob can be found playing soccer, volleyball, and basketball; hiking; or playing piano.

What inspired you to become a Leadership Fellow?: I was a LEAD coachee my junior year while I was philanthropy chair of Pi Tau Sigma. It was my first leadership position ever, and I was truly terrified that I would fall flat on my face. My coach not only gave me to confidence to step out of my comfort zone in my role, but also inspired me to run for president the following semester. That was the origin of a long and varied leadership journey through my academic career that has continued to this day. As a Leadership Fellow, I hope that I can support other aspiring leaders in the same way that my coach supported me.

Jude Yinenti Kpare

2nd Year PhD Student in Materials Science and Engineering
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow - Albert Einstein

Jude is a PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering with the Stingelin group at Georgia Tech. Before coming to Tech, he completed his undergraduate studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana in 2021, where he graduated as class valedictorian. He also participated in a study abroad program at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea in 2019, where he found his passion for semiconducting materials. His current research focuses on understanding the factors controlling charge and matter transport processes in π-conjugated polymer materials for energy conversion and storage applications through a combination of thermal (f-DSC) and x-ray scattering techniques (GIWAXS, RXRD). Outside research, Jude enjoys playing the piano, coaching, playing video games, and watching his favorite sports teams (FC Barcelona and the Milwaukee Bucks) play. He has had experience working with various startups including Black Sisters in STEM, Prosple and African Golden Food, which have been instrumental in developing his leadership skills. At Georgia Tech, he serves on the Executive Board of both the Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Group (MSE GSAG) and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCCHE).

What inspired you to become a Leadership Fellow?: I believe that leadership skills are essential for everyone. Our world faces complex challenges that require competent leaders every day who lead with compassion and purpose. The best way to cultivate these leaders is through structured preparation and development opportunities such as the LEAD program. Though I had invaluable leadership experiences throughout my life right from basic school to the corporate world, with each role presenting its unique challenges that required adaptability and continuous learning, participating in the LEAD program as a coachee challenged me to broaden my horizon and find new ways to solve daily challenges I was faced with, which significantly contributed to my academic & leadership success. I am excited to pay this forward by assisting my coachees through this process of self-discovery and leadership development. I hope to positively impact the lives of my coachees, equipping them with the skills to become effective leaders themselves. Through this continuous leadership cycle, we can create a ripple effect that transforms our world for the better.

Lars Nelson

5th Year PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
"I cannot remember a night so dark as to have hindered the coming day." - John Brown

During his time as an undergraduate at Clemson University, Lars interned at Electrolux's Anderson plant and Bosch Rexroth's Fountain Inn plant and worked as an undergraduate research assistant for two years, resulting in an international conference presentation and a first-author paper. He received several scholarships while at Clemson and graduated summa cum laude. He is now a 5th year PhD student Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Tech and a recipient of the President's and Brantley fellowships, as well as the Department of Energy's Office of Science Graduate Research Fellowship. He is currently in the process of publishing his second paper on his doctoral research and preparing for his doctoral thesis defense.

 

What inspired you to become a Leadership Fellow?: Lars is excited to help facilitate the same self-reflection in his coachees that has helped him through his biggest challenges. You are the only person that can be unequivocally honest with yourself, and if you are not honest with yourself you cannot be honest with others. He believes that developing strong self-reflection skills allows everyone to become a stronger, more effective leader, regardless of their starting point. This goal, coupled with his desire to continue improving his own leadership skills, are why Lars became a leadership coach.

Melek D. Ozcan

PhD in Aerospace Engineering
“We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Melek earned her bachelor’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. She is currently a PhD student in Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL). During her time in ASDL, she worked on projects in a variety of areas, from large-scale optimization to propulsion system design. In addition, she spent three years as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in Aerospace Engineering for graduate-level courses, improving her mentoring, communication, time management and organization skills. She focuses on the sustainable solutions in aviation and their feasibilities. In her free time, Melek enjoys watching documentaries, reading and resistance training as well as taking pictures of GT campus with her DSLR camera.

What inspired you to become a Leadership Fellow?: Melek was inspired to become a leadership coach because this opportunity would make her leave her comfort zone. She believes that she needs to do some deep work on herself, improving her self-awareness, self-monitoring and self-management skills, to become an impactful coach. She is aware that becoming a leadership coach will be a journey of growth for both herself and her coachees, and the idea of helping students and having a profound impact on their lives and goals motivates her deeply.

Naveen Raj Srinivasan

4th Year PhD Student in Aerospace Engineering
"Don't let life randomly kick you into the adult you don't want to become." - Col. Chris Hadfield

Naveen is a dedicated aerospace engineer, armed with a master's degree from Georgia Tech and a bachelor's from India, currently pursuing his PhD. Prior to joining GT, he worked as an Impact Dynamics engineer at Bell Flight, providing cost-effective rotorcraft design solutions through simulations, ensuring aviation compliance. This hands-on experience provided him with a keen understanding of industry demands, fueling his drive to further his education at Georgia Tech. Currently affiliated with the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL), Naveen's research centers on multidisciplinary systems design optimization to improve civil aviation sustainability and affordability through innovative research.

Beyond the academic realm, Naveen indulges his culinary passions through cooking. Also, as a fitness enthusiast, he finds solace in the rhythmic cadence of running and the refreshing embrace of swimming. Recognizing the value of community, Naveen has dedicated countless hours to volunteering across various organizations, embodying his commitment to giving back. He enjoys a genuine tie to the world around him by fostering meaningful connections with people.

What inspired you to become a Leadership Fellow?: Naveen’s interest in serving as a leadership fellow stems from the convergence of his passion for working with diverse people, strong commitment to guiding others through challenges, and desire to promote an environment where diverse perspectives flourish. Naveen’s roles as an instructor and teaching assistant over the past years have illuminated the profound impact leadership can have beyond academics. Guiding students through the challenges of adapting to new environments, managing stressful situations, and upholding good mental health, Naveen understands the holistic responsibility of leadership that extends beyond directives, nurturing others to realize their true potential.

Furthermore, Naveen’s participation in LEAD coaching for several years has enabled him to witness firsthand the transformative effects of leadership development. This first-hand experience has solidified his conviction that leadership is not merely a position, but a dynamic force that shapes individuals and communities for the better. By becoming a Leadership Fellow, he looks forward to contributing to the empowerment of future leaders by catalyzing their growth and his own.