Muhammet Ozturk is a Junior Specialist in the UCSF VASC lab. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Uskudar University, Turkey. He has broad research experience in cellular and molecular neuroscience by working in several neuroscience labs in Turkey, UK, USA, and Sweden. After graduation, he worked as a Postgraduate Associate working on ALS at Harvard Medical School for 2 years. His research project focused on certain ALS-causative RNA/DNA binding proteins regulating immune genes. During his time at HMS, he gained extensive research experience in the stem cell field. As a specialist in the VASC lab, he is leading all vascularized cortical organoid models by utilizing iPSCs to understand cerebrovascular disease. His goals as a researcher are to contribute to the development and efficiency of novel therapeutic agents for neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and he wants to build a career in neuroscience where he can carry his research from the bench to the bedside. Outside the lab, he enjoys dancing, singing (at least trying!), and going to scary escape rooms.