Başak Akbaş

EDUCATION

College / University

Çankaya University (B.Sc.)
Middle East Technical University (M.Sc.)

Highest Degree

Master of Science

Major Subjects

Psychology, Mathematics, Cognitive Science

Turkey

Lab Experience

Experimental design, psychophysics, neural data analysis, behavioral analysis, meta-analysis, electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking, neuropsychological testing Programming and Data Analysis: LISP, Python, SPSS, Jamovi, CLAN, EEG/ERP analysis with MNE and MATLAB

Projects / Research

2023 - 2025: Exploring the dynamics of presaccadic attention and polar angle asymmetries through EEG and eye-tracking. COGS Lab, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara
2023 - 2025: User Experience Researcher at Borda Technology. Istanbul Technical University (ITU) ARI-3, Istanbul
2024: Computational Neuroscience Student at Neuromatch Academy. Investigating the role of the superior colliculus in visuo-motor processing using neuronal response latencies and machine learning classifiers.
2021: Conducting meta-analysis study on spatial working memory. Çankaya University, Ankara

Scholarships / Awards

2025 - 2026:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2024 – 2025:	Impact Scholars Program. Micropublication. V1 Neurons Track the Rate-of-Change of Behavioral Variables: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15390932

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I think the mind is a complex combination monster. It is very exciting that the mysteries of this combinator still remain unsolved. My journey to explore it began with perception, and in my thesis, I examined the role of presaccadic attention in shaping polar angle asymmetries. Beyond this, I am eager to dive into other perceptual parameters, especially how individual experiences shift when moving from single modality to multisensory integration. My goal is to translate this passion into brain–computer interface applications to open up new pathways of sensing, imagining, and connecting with the world.