Meet the CERI Team
Aygün Şahin, M.Sc., Ph.D. Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Cancer Lead
Dr. Şahin is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and the Cancer Lead (Research and Education) of Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI). She holds a doctorate degree with Magna Cum Laude in genetics, and cell biology as second major, and Masters degree (3.86/4.00) in Applied Biology. She has cancer research experience for more than 10 years. Dr. Şahin is a cancer immunotherapy specialist, which experience gained at Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School (MGH-HMS). She is one of the first handful of people worldwide who worked on the initial development of a powerful adoptive immunotherapy strategy using *chimeric antigen receptors engineered T cells (CAR-T cells)*. She is a former faculty member of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Şahin completed her doctorate degree at the University of Bonn and part of her doctoral work at the Institute Pasteur in Lille, France. She worked at the Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, where she built from the ground up and ran the Neuro-oncology laboratory at the Center for Clinical Research (ZKF), prior to moving to the U.S. She further built from the ground up and ran the CAR-T cell immunotherapy program at a startup biopharma company in Boston. Her genetic and cellular therapy for cancer includes brain cancer (glioblastoma, GBM) and hematological cancers.
Dr. Şahin served as key scientist in many national and international collaborations, and has been an invited speaker at several scientific and educational conferences. She mentored many undergraduate and graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians.
Dr. Şahin received a number of awards and honors during her academic career, as well as won several awards in public speaking and in leadership. Dr. Şahin speaks four languages while understanding multiple, and is bilingual in German and Turkish.
Dr. Şahin is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and the Cancer Lead (Research and Education) of Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI). She holds a doctorate degree with Magna Cum Laude in genetics, and cell biology as second major, and Masters degree (3.86/4.00) in Applied Biology. She has cancer research experience for more than 10 years. Dr. Şahin is a cancer immunotherapy specialist, which experience gained at Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School (MGH-HMS). She is one of the first handful of people worldwide who worked on the initial development of a powerful adoptive immunotherapy strategy using *chimeric antigen receptors engineered T cells (CAR-T cells)*. She is a former faculty member of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Şahin completed her doctorate degree at the University of Bonn and part of her doctoral work at the Institute Pasteur in Lille, France. She worked at the Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, where she built from the ground up and ran the Neuro-oncology laboratory at the Center for Clinical Research (ZKF), prior to moving to the U.S. She further built from the ground up and ran the CAR-T cell immunotherapy program at a startup biopharma company in Boston. Her genetic and cellular therapy for cancer includes brain cancer (glioblastoma, GBM) and hematological cancers.
Dr. Şahin served as key scientist in many national and international collaborations, and has been an invited speaker at several scientific and educational conferences. She mentored many undergraduate and graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians.
Dr. Şahin received a number of awards and honors during her academic career, as well as won several awards in public speaking and in leadership. Dr. Şahin speaks four languages while understanding multiple, and is bilingual in German and Turkish.
Saltanat Sahin International CERI Board Member
⚜We are so excited now to have Ms. Saltanat Sahin from Turkey join our International Board of Directors. Ms. Sahin has been passionately very active since the founding of our organization in 2013. We are truly very excited that she has accepted our offer to serve on our board. Thank you for being with us, Ms. Sahin, it is wonderful to have you! Your insights and suggestions have always been so valuable to our organizations – glad to have you onboard!
⚜Türkiye'den Sayın Saltanat Şahin'nin artık uluslararası yönetim kurulumuza katılmasından son derece mutluyuz. Saltanat Hanım, organizasyonumuzun kurulduğu 2013 yılından bu yana tutkuyla çok aktif. Yönetim kurulumuza katılma teklifimizi kabul ettiği için gerçekten çok mutlu ve heyecanlıyız. Bizimle birlikte olduğunuz için teşekkür ederiz Saltanat Hanım, iyi ki varsınız! Görüşleriniz ve önerileriniz organizasyonlarımız için her zaman çok değerli olmuştur, sizi aramızda görmekten mutluluk duyuyoruz!
⚜Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Frau Saltanat Sahin aus der Türkei nun unserem internationalen Vorstand beigetreten ist. Frau Sahin ist seit 2013, als unsere Organisation gegründet wurde, mit Leidenschaft sehr aktiv. Wir sind sehr glücklich und aufgeregt, dass er unser Angebot angenommen hat, unserem Vorstand beizutreten. Vielen Dank, Frau Sahin, schön, dass Sie bei uns sind! Ihre Ansichten und Vorschläge waren für unsere Organisationen immer sehr wertvoll, wir freuen uns, Sie an Bord zu haben!
⚜We are so excited now to have Ms. Saltanat Sahin from Turkey join our International Board of Directors. Ms. Sahin has been passionately very active since the founding of our organization in 2013. We are truly very excited that she has accepted our offer to serve on our board. Thank you for being with us, Ms. Sahin, it is wonderful to have you! Your insights and suggestions have always been so valuable to our organizations – glad to have you onboard!
⚜Türkiye'den Sayın Saltanat Şahin'nin artık uluslararası yönetim kurulumuza katılmasından son derece mutluyuz. Saltanat Hanım, organizasyonumuzun kurulduğu 2013 yılından bu yana tutkuyla çok aktif. Yönetim kurulumuza katılma teklifimizi kabul ettiği için gerçekten çok mutlu ve heyecanlıyız. Bizimle birlikte olduğunuz için teşekkür ederiz Saltanat Hanım, iyi ki varsınız! Görüşleriniz ve önerileriniz organizasyonlarımız için her zaman çok değerli olmuştur, sizi aramızda görmekten mutluluk duyuyoruz!
⚜Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Frau Saltanat Sahin aus der Türkei nun unserem internationalen Vorstand beigetreten ist. Frau Sahin ist seit 2013, als unsere Organisation gegründet wurde, mit Leidenschaft sehr aktiv. Wir sind sehr glücklich und aufgeregt, dass er unser Angebot angenommen hat, unserem Vorstand beizutreten. Vielen Dank, Frau Sahin, schön, dass Sie bei uns sind! Ihre Ansichten und Vorschläge waren für unsere Organisationen immer sehr wertvoll, wir freuen uns, Sie an Bord zu haben!
Lara Rüya Simsek CERI Youth Program Mentee, Research Team Member, Ambassador-Canada
My name is Ruya and I am a 12-year-old living in Canada. I’ve always had an interest in biology and medicine. I believe that becoming a volunteer for CERI will aid in cancer awareness and prevention, along with educating people about the disease in order to catch and effectively treat cancer in the earlier stages of its development. I am very excited to research and contribute to the CERI Cancer Education Program. I am particularly looking forward to covering topics like brain cancer, sarcoma/bone cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancer awareness/prevention, nutrition and healthy eating.
My name is Ruya and I am a 12-year-old living in Canada. I’ve always had an interest in biology and medicine. I believe that becoming a volunteer for CERI will aid in cancer awareness and prevention, along with educating people about the disease in order to catch and effectively treat cancer in the earlier stages of its development. I am very excited to research and contribute to the CERI Cancer Education Program. I am particularly looking forward to covering topics like brain cancer, sarcoma/bone cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancer awareness/prevention, nutrition and healthy eating.
Rayan Afif Chaouch CERI Youth Program Mentee, Research Team Member
Hi, I'm Rayan. I was born and raised in Somerville, Massachusetts but I am originally from Algeria. I am currently a rising senior at Somerville High School. During my high school studies, I conducted experimental research at Northeastern University using migration assays and 3D-printing for medical prosthetics, and at Biogen/MIT, under the program Biotech in Action, using gene editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, aimed at understanding Parkinson's disease development. I am super excited to join CERI as I see CERI’s approach as a super innovative way to go about informing the public on crucial knowledge about cancer and being a part of that process really inspired me.
Hi, I'm Rayan. I was born and raised in Somerville, Massachusetts but I am originally from Algeria. I am currently a rising senior at Somerville High School. During my high school studies, I conducted experimental research at Northeastern University using migration assays and 3D-printing for medical prosthetics, and at Biogen/MIT, under the program Biotech in Action, using gene editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, aimed at understanding Parkinson's disease development. I am super excited to join CERI as I see CERI’s approach as a super innovative way to go about informing the public on crucial knowledge about cancer and being a part of that process really inspired me.
Chaimae Zanafi Data Analyst, Arabic and French Translation Team Member
Chaimae is a Process Engineer and is currently in the Industrial Engineering Master’s program at Northeastern University. She is a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship. Originally from Morocco, Chaimae is committed to making a meaningful contribution to global health issues, such as cancer. By using her background in engineering and her data analysis skills, as well as her proficiency in Arabic and French languages, Chaimae is eager to volunteer at the Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI) to support CERI’s mission, and contribute to advancements in cancer research and education, aiming to improve patient care and cancer prevention globally.
Chaimae is a Process Engineer and is currently in the Industrial Engineering Master’s program at Northeastern University. She is a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship. Originally from Morocco, Chaimae is committed to making a meaningful contribution to global health issues, such as cancer. By using her background in engineering and her data analysis skills, as well as her proficiency in Arabic and French languages, Chaimae is eager to volunteer at the Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI) to support CERI’s mission, and contribute to advancements in cancer research and education, aiming to improve patient care and cancer prevention globally.
Phin MacDonald Bookkeeper
Phin MacDonald is an Intuit-certified bookkeeper and certified QuickBooks user. He earned an academic certificate in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. Phin has completed accounting courses at the Harvard Extension School and the UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management, as well as Coursera accounting classes from West Virginia University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His post-certification continuing education has included training in QuickBooks Online for nonprofits and Aplos nonprofit accounting software.
Joining CERI seemed like a great idea for several reasons. Phin studied science as an undergrad (biopsychology), and appreciates the importance of scientific research. He believes cancer research and education is especially important, given the prevalence of this group of diseases, and the direct impact it has had on his friends and family.
Phin MacDonald is an Intuit-certified bookkeeper and certified QuickBooks user. He earned an academic certificate in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. Phin has completed accounting courses at the Harvard Extension School and the UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management, as well as Coursera accounting classes from West Virginia University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His post-certification continuing education has included training in QuickBooks Online for nonprofits and Aplos nonprofit accounting software.
Joining CERI seemed like a great idea for several reasons. Phin studied science as an undergrad (biopsychology), and appreciates the importance of scientific research. He believes cancer research and education is especially important, given the prevalence of this group of diseases, and the direct impact it has had on his friends and family.
Allaa Bouzaghou Patient Program Coordinator, Research Team Member
Allaa Bouzaghou is currently an undergraduate student at Boston University studying neuroscience and computer science. She also works part-time as a Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Associate at the Newton Wellesley Hospital. Allaa is set to be certified as a Medical Assistant from the Ready-To-Work, UMass Global, and Basic Life Support from the American Red Cross.
Originally from Boston, she loves exploring local libraries and bookstores in her free time. Being Algerian, she speaks French and Arabic as well.
Allaa is very excited to join the CERI family because she knows the power of having a support team. Getting to learn more about CERI, Allaa was able to learn about how critical it is to have people at one’s corner on people’s journey with cancer. Allaa is excited to help bridge the gap between patients and their medical care providers by working with the CERI Family to help cancer patients and their families!
Allaa Bouzaghou is currently an undergraduate student at Boston University studying neuroscience and computer science. She also works part-time as a Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Associate at the Newton Wellesley Hospital. Allaa is set to be certified as a Medical Assistant from the Ready-To-Work, UMass Global, and Basic Life Support from the American Red Cross.
Originally from Boston, she loves exploring local libraries and bookstores in her free time. Being Algerian, she speaks French and Arabic as well.
Allaa is very excited to join the CERI family because she knows the power of having a support team. Getting to learn more about CERI, Allaa was able to learn about how critical it is to have people at one’s corner on people’s journey with cancer. Allaa is excited to help bridge the gap between patients and their medical care providers by working with the CERI Family to help cancer patients and their families!
Victor Turkowski Research Team Member
Victor Turkowski is a fourth-year undergraduate in the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst, majoring in biology. He brings valuable pharmaceutical experience from his time at CVS Pharmacy and practical laboratory skills from his bacteriophage research at UMass. Victor has joined the Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI), where he aims to apply his knowledge in life sciences and help those in need. At CERI, he is committed to enhancing public understanding of diseases, explaining FDA-approved treatment options, and promoting the significance of cancer prevention research.
Victor Turkowski is a fourth-year undergraduate in the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst, majoring in biology. He brings valuable pharmaceutical experience from his time at CVS Pharmacy and practical laboratory skills from his bacteriophage research at UMass. Victor has joined the Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI), where he aims to apply his knowledge in life sciences and help those in need. At CERI, he is committed to enhancing public understanding of diseases, explaining FDA-approved treatment options, and promoting the significance of cancer prevention research.
Frank Rosenbauer German Translation Manager
Mr. Rosenbauer has been a certified English-German translator and interpreter since 2012 and gained his bachelor's degree at SDI Munich, Germany in mid-2013. After graduation, he worked as a freelance translator for companies all around the world in many different fields. While doing an internship as a project manager at a translation agency in Boston, he came across CERI and now helps with the German language content.
Mr. Rosenbauer has been a certified English-German translator and interpreter since 2012 and gained his bachelor's degree at SDI Munich, Germany in mid-2013. After graduation, he worked as a freelance translator for companies all around the world in many different fields. While doing an internship as a project manager at a translation agency in Boston, he came across CERI and now helps with the German language content.
Emily U. Taskin BSN to MSN Research Team Member
Emily Taskin earned her BSN (2008) at Dokuz Eylul University’s Nursing Department, and MSN (2011) in the Institute of Health Science on Medical-Surgical Nursing in Turkey. In her senior year, she completed her internship in public health practice by developing projects to improve public and environment health. Emily believes in the importance of public education for disease prevention and promoting health. While gaining experience on field as a professional orthopedic nurse in a training and research hospital, she pursued her dissertation about the follow-up education for patients as a counselor nurse to enhance surgical outcomes as well as prevention of complications and accelerate healing. Emily also seeks further education with an MPH degree to achieve her potential. She is enthusiastic for healthy living, healthy communities, and ecological health. Building on this enthusiasm, Emily became a member of CERI family to build up, to seek ways to make cancer prevention research absorbing, revelatory, and practical for communities.
Emily Taskin earned her BSN (2008) at Dokuz Eylul University’s Nursing Department, and MSN (2011) in the Institute of Health Science on Medical-Surgical Nursing in Turkey. In her senior year, she completed her internship in public health practice by developing projects to improve public and environment health. Emily believes in the importance of public education for disease prevention and promoting health. While gaining experience on field as a professional orthopedic nurse in a training and research hospital, she pursued her dissertation about the follow-up education for patients as a counselor nurse to enhance surgical outcomes as well as prevention of complications and accelerate healing. Emily also seeks further education with an MPH degree to achieve her potential. She is enthusiastic for healthy living, healthy communities, and ecological health. Building on this enthusiasm, Emily became a member of CERI family to build up, to seek ways to make cancer prevention research absorbing, revelatory, and practical for communities.
Our Advisors
Richard Klein†, MA, USA - Business Counselor
John Kogan, MA, USA - Business Counselor
John Kogan, MA, USA - Business Counselor
We are proud of our diverse past and current team of very talented volunteers and board members from around the globe!
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If you're interested in getting involved at any capacity, please check our open volunteering positions here.
For a complete list of volunteers and board members visit our annual reports.
Please donate to support our cause - help us continue with our free educational programs.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (CERI), is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (CERI), is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (CERI), is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
