What happens when you splice an extrovert with a budding neurologist with a writer? You get Can ’29, whose eagerness to share his ideas on life, the universe, and everything keeps him up at night—quite literally. Keep reading to learn more about this first-year student from Boston, including his writing practice (he invokes everyone from Ray Bradbury to Bob Dylan), favorite Turkish foods, research interests (from CRISPR gene therapy to the head injuries depicted in Home Alone), and much more. 

Getting to Know You

What is bringing you joy right now? 

Writing is bringing me joy. I've been writing a newsletter for four years, so trying to figure out what to write each week is a good puzzle. Sometimes it's about books I've read. Sometimes it's about places I've been. Sometimes I just philosophize at home, write long, rambling essays. For example, I'll be sitting there, listening to some music, and I'll be like, “Oh my God, I have to share this with people. I have to write about it.” Or I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and try to write things down; I just get up and get my computer and type away. 

What is your favorite book and/or other media? 

For the book, I would say my favorite is Fahrenheit 451, just because it's so relevant—it's like Ray Bradbury was predicting the future, basically. And for movies, I'm gonna say 2001: A Space Odyssey, mostly because it was ahead of its time. Some critics have called it the most accurate portrayal of space exploration ever. Also, the Classics of World Cinema here at Commonwealth: I tend to like those because they’re movies I wouldn't usually watch.

What do you think is the most intriguing paradox? 

For me, Fermi’s Paradox. If the universe is infinite, with infinite stars, and each of those stars has, let’s say, an average of five planets orbiting it, then that's a lot of possibility for life, a lot of possibility for habitable Earth-like planets. But why hasn't anyone contacted us yet? I like the Dark Forest theory, where the aliens are afraid of us in the same way we are afraid of them. Or maybe there was a communication problem, like the messages we sent them actually sounded like, “We're going to war with you.” It’s like Arthur C. Clarke said: “Either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.”

What are your favorite comfort foods? 

I'm from Turkey, and Turkish cuisine is really one of the best in the world, in my opinion. I like stuffed eggplants and manti—they’re like mini raviolis with meat inside—and tomato sauce. But my favorite food from childhood is still tacos, any kind of tacos.

What was/is your favorite class (at Commonwealth or elsewhere)? 

My favorite class here is Biology 1, but French is also a contender. And it's not just because I'm interested in learning new languages and biology; the teachers in those classes, Ms. Sundberg and Mr. Dardonville, are really good at what they do and really good people to be around.

When do you feel the most enjoyably challenged?

I know this sounds strange, but I really like taking a test. I like to show what I'm capable of and try to have fun with it. 

What are people most surprised to learn about you?

That I have a newsletter. I'm really extroverted. I really like talking about things and showing them to the world, and I feel like writing satisfies that desire. 

Pen or pencil? 

I always think about the space race when I think of this question, because ink doesn't flow in microgravity. The Americans spent years and years trying to perfect a space pen, while the Soviets just took pencils to space, and pretty soon everyone was using pencils. So I think pencils are more efficient, but there are times when I would use a pen. I have this erasable pen that’s green, my favorite color. 

Coffee or tea?

I like apple tea but not much else.

Life as a Commonwealth Student (and Beyond)

What was your first impression of Commonwealth and how has it mapped to your experience?

Well, my first impression was a virtual English class [at an info session], and it was with Ms. Dale, who is an amazing teacher. I saw that this school was not just a great place academically, but also I instantly felt that this was a place that would feel like home. I wanted a smaller school so I could really express myself, really feel at home. And that's how it's been going.

Using metrics besides grades, how do you define “success” in your classes?

I'm gonna make an analogy again, because I like analogies. They're useful. So let’s say you want to build a rocket to go to space: people think success is going to Mars once, but you end up not even going past the moon fifty times. Success is about getting up after you fall. 

How do you spend your time outside of Commonwealth?

Well, I write my newsletter. I do a lot of research, because I'm trying to help people learn more about science. I read a lot of books. And I really like drawing and sketching things; Snoopy is my go-to.

You recently spent a Project Week at UMass Chan Medical School’s Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy clinic. Tell us more about your research interests: how have you cultivated them, and where do you imagine them taking you in the future?

Well, I run the MENACE club: the Medicine Education and Control of Epidemics club. I like presenting things at that club—things like CRISPR gene-therapy, the latest news in neuroscience. We even did a holiday special, examining the Home Alone injuries. I present at the STEM Club, too, on a regular basis. 

I did the Biology Olympiad for the first time this year. I've been reading a lot of scholarly books about the topic. (I live next to a library.) In biology class, obviously, we're learning about some of the same things. I know it's gonna take many, many years—decades even—to become a neurologist. But I’m ready for anything, I would say.

Wasn’t it Descartes who said, “I think therefore I am”? Everything we know, all of the consciousness we have, weighs three pounds, and it's in here [points to head]. And so that's really interesting, because there are not only clinical aspects [to neurology] but philosophical aspects, too. 

When do you feel most connected to other students (or teachers/staff members) in our community?

At recess. There’s always this nice, lighthearted atmosphere. The world is often really stressful, and recess is a small island in the sea of not being happy.

Also, at my advisor meetings with Mr. Letarte. We talk a lot. We can't get enough in those meetings. If someone left me and Mr. Letarte in a room with no bells or anything, we would talk for twenty-four hours straight. At lunch, I sit with my friends; sometimes, I go to club meetings, and that’s also a good place to meet people.

How has your Commonwealth experience colored the way you look at the world? How do you plan for your future?

Commonwealth has taught me a lot of things, but the biggest one is to look at the world in my own way and just to be myself.

What’s your advice for prospective students considering Commonwealth?

Well, I would say this is a great school if you're into knowing other people, if you want a small community, if you want a place that sustains and celebrates your interests. It’s like a medium for doing anything you want. 

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