Hey, I'm Selin.

I’m a data scientist with a PhD in Marketing Science, where I studied how people make decisions through the lens of behavioral economics, statistics and econometrics. Over the past decade, I’ve built experimentation frameworks, causal inference systems and user behavior models at companies like Apple and Microsoft.

I’m a Bayesian at heart (which is a fancy way of saying): I trust probabilities over certainties, and believe understanding evolves with evidence. In my opinion: that’s constant learning.

I’m also deeply curious about how mind works beyond what we can measure. I’ve trained in CBT, DBT and ACT, not to practice therapy (as I’m not a licensed therapist), but to understand Western clinical approaches to the mind from the inside. Having also been on the receiving end of these therapeutic modalities, I wanted to learn from both sides of the room.

I’ve spent years studying Eastern philosophy and am currently completing yoga teacher training. I’m also a certified Yoga & Ayurveda Wellness Consultant and a Reiki Level-I practitioner.

Right now, I’m writing about what I call 'the integrated self' and exploring how insights from yoga, Ayurveda, and contemplative practice align (and sometimes conflict) with what behavioral science tells us about decision-making, emotion and change.

I craft visually stunning and highly functional designs that elevate brands and create meaningful digital experiences. Let’s build something exceptional together.

About Me

About Me

About Me

Trained as an engineer, drawn to understanding why people do what they do.

So, pursued a PhD in behavioral science.

Then, spent a decade in tech, analyzing how people decide, engage, and change their minds.

Quantifying patterns. Estimating uncertainty. Predicting outcomes…

Modeling human behavior from the outside.

Senior Data Scientist

Apple

2021 - Present

Senior Data Scientist

Microsoft

2018 - 2021

Data Scientist

Koding

2016 - 2018

Postdoc

USC

2015 - 2016

PhD (Visiting)

UCLA

2012 - 2013

PhD

Koc University

2010 - 2015

BSc

Istanbul Technical University

2004 - 2009

Senior Data Scientist

Apple

2021 - Present

Senior Data Scientist

Microsoft

2018 - 2021

Data Scientist

Koding

2016 - 2018

Postdoc

USC

2015 - 2016

PhD (Visiting)

UCLA

2012 - 2013

PhD

Koc University

2010 - 2015

BSc

Istanbul Technical University

2004 - 2009

Senior Data Scientist

Apple

2021 - Present

Senior Data Scientist

Microsoft

2018 - 2021

Data Scientist

Koding

2016 - 2018

Postdoc

USC

2015 - 2016

PhD (Visiting)

UCLA

2012 - 2013

PhD

Koc University

2010 - 2015

BSc

Istanbul Technical University

2004 - 2009

Side Projects

Building an AI web app that understands emotional context and responds with wisdom from science and contemplative practice.

Side Projects

Studying how ancient traditions and modern behavioral science understand the mind, body, and energy. These are the practices I train in.

Side Projects

Studying how ancient traditions and modern behavioral science understand the mind, body, and energy. These are the practices I train in.

Emotion

Emotion classification system: mapping journal entries to structured taxonomy (anger, fear, anxiety, shame, guilt, sadness) for context-aware AI responses

01

Emotion

Emotion classification system: mapping journal entries to structured taxonomy (anger, fear, anxiety, shame, guilt, sadness) for context-aware AI responses

01

Emotion

Emotion classification system: mapping journal entries to structured taxonomy (anger, fear, anxiety, shame, guilt, sadness) for context-aware AI responses

01

Evaluation

LLM evaluation framework: automated testing pipelines, gold-standard datasets, multi-dimensional scoring for intent accuracy, entity extraction, and response quality

02

Evaluation

LLM evaluation framework: automated testing pipelines, gold-standard datasets, multi-dimensional scoring for intent accuracy, entity extraction, and response quality

02

Evaluation

LLM evaluation framework: automated testing pipelines, gold-standard datasets, multi-dimensional scoring for intent accuracy, entity extraction, and response quality

02

Retrieval

RAG architecture: embedding pipelines, vector similarity search, context assembly, reducing hallucination by connecting LLMs to curated knowledge bases

03

Retrieval

RAG architecture: embedding pipelines, vector similarity search, context assembly, reducing hallucination by connecting LLMs to curated knowledge bases

03

Retrieval

RAG architecture: embedding pipelines, vector similarity search, context assembly, reducing hallucination by connecting LLMs to curated knowledge bases

03

Integration

The Integrated Self framework: synthesizing yoga psychology, Ayurveda, and evidence-based therapy (DBT, CBT, ACT) into a unified approach to emotional regulation

04

Integration

The Integrated Self framework: synthesizing yoga psychology, Ayurveda, and evidence-based therapy (DBT, CBT, ACT) into a unified approach to emotional regulation

04

Integration

The Integrated Self framework: synthesizing yoga psychology, Ayurveda, and evidence-based therapy (DBT, CBT, ACT) into a unified approach to emotional regulation

04

Words I Return To

A few ideas I return to very often.. From thinkers who helped me see more clearly. And feel more deeply.

Words I Return To

A few ideas I return to very often.. From thinkers who helped me see more clearly. And feel more deeply.

Words I Return To

A few ideas I return to very often.. From thinkers who helped me see more clearly. And feel more deeply.