Science Starts Here: Fatma Kaplan
Fatma Kaplan.
Name
Fatma Kaplan.
Current position
Postdoctoral associate, University of Florida, College of Medicine and Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy facility.
Current work
Fatma works on C.elegans, a small soil nematode. She and her colleagues are isolating compounds that C.elegans use to communicate with each other, such as finding a mate. They use small molecules to navigate their environment like humans use their five senses.
In her own words
I learned to always be prepared to
seize opportunities as they arise.
I had access to some of the most
powerful magnets and most sensitive NMR
probes in the world. This allowed me to
study natural products, which are found in
very low quantities that would have been
undetectable with other instruments. I
have also had the opportunity to work
with a number of the scientists at the
Magnet Lab.
I had access to some of the most
powerful magnets and most sensitive NMR
probes in the world.
I learned a lot about analytical
chemistry and natural products, and I plan
to use this knowledge to understand how
plants, nonpathogenic nematodes and
bacteria interact.
How mentors make a difference
I learned a lot from Dr. Art Edison,
whom I consider as a mentor. His openmindedness
to new people and ideas
facilitates innovation. Additionally, he uses
all of the information available to him to
generate ideas and research questions. I
think these are important skills for life and
research.
Published in Volume 15, Issue 4 of Mag Lab Reports (Download this issue in
PDF format, 928 KB).
