CV

I bring 5 years of experience in modeling sequential data, including 3 years focused on transformers and nearly a year dedicated to large language models (LLMs). I have trained open source LLMs +1B parameters, primarily focusing on audio-based modeling using RVQ-based neural codecs (e.g., EnCodec).

My expertise covers generative modeling with autoregressive and latent-variable models, contrastive and self-supervised learning techniques, optimizing audio and music processing for information retrieval scenarios.

Experience

Research Scientist Jan. 2022 - Present
TikTok (ByteDance), London

Early Stage Researcher Sep. 2018 - Jan. 2022
Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona

Visiting R&D Engineer Jul. - Aug. 2021
BMAT, Barcelona Jul. - Oct. 2020

M&A Advisory Intern Feb. - Oct. 2015
Alpacar Associates, Istanbul Jun. - Sep. 2014

Management Consulting Intern Jul. - Oct. 2013
Accenture, Istanbul

Education

PhD in Information and Communication Technologies 2018 - 2022
Thesis: “Accuracy, scalability, and bias perspectives in data-driven musical version identification”
Advisors: Joan Serrà and Emilia Gómez
Music Technology Group, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona

MSc in Sound and Music Computing 2017 - 2018
Thesis: “Analysis and automatic classification of phonation modes in singing”
Music Technology Group, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona

BSc in Computer Engineering 2010 - 2016
BSc in Industrial Engineering
Summa cum laude
College of Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul

BSc in Computer Engineering Oct. - Dec. 2014
College of Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara

Achievements

Cum laude mention
Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona

Best Video Award by Popular Vote
ISMIR 2020

Best Presentation Award
MIP-Frontiers 3-Minute Thesis Competition, London

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowship
Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona

Summa cum laude mention
Koc University, Istanbul

Award for Leadership and Contribution to Social Life of the University
Koc University, Istanbul

Full scholarship
Koc University, Istanbul

Extracurricular Activities

Performer, Musical Theater Club 2016
Koc University, Istanbul

President, Marketing Club 2014
Koc University, Istanbul

Member, Student Council 2013
Koc University, Istanbul

Performer, Dance Club 2012
Koc University, Istanbul

Oarsman, Rowing Team 2012
Koc University, Istanbul