Inclusive AI Institiute

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Our Team

The Heart of Inclusive AI

Meet Our Innovators

Our team comprises a diverse group of experts in AI, education, and social advocacy, all united by a common goal to democratize technology. From our dedicated developers to our passionate educators, each member brings unique skills and perspectives that drive the success of our institute.

Vision and Collaboration

Our collaborative environment is rooted in a shared vision to create accessible AI solutions that empower and include. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to more innovative solutions, and our team reflects a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and expertise.

Dr. Ogut, co-founder and CEO of the Inclusive AI Institute, is a visionary leader in the fields of AI and data science. Dr. Ogut has dedicated his career to leveraging big data analytics, machine learning, and traditional research methodologies to address critical challenges in education—from preK to postsecondary levels. His commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for all is demonstrated through his innovative research on accessibility, academic readiness, and seamless transitions from high school to higher education and employment. Dr. Ogut’s work notably includes leading multidisciplinary teams to evaluate and expand online learning programs across several U.S. states, enhancing the efficacy of digital assessments through universal design, and improving outcomes for students of color in STEM fields.

As a cofounder of our institute, Dr. Ogut drives our mission to democratize technology and make AI accessible and beneficial for diverse communities. His strategic leadership in research and curriculum development, coupled with his role in guiding high-impact projects funded by institutions like the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), enriches our institute’s initiatives.

Dr. Ogut is not only a respected academic but also a proactive business developer, experienced in fund raising for groundbreaking projects. At the helm of the Inclusive AI Institute, Dr. Ogut is dedicated to creating AI-driven solutions that empower educators and service providers, enhance participant learning experiences, and bridge the gap between current educational practices and the potential of technology.

Dr. Circi, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer of the Inclusive AI Institute, is renowned for her expertise in artificial intelligence and data science. As a faculty member at Northwestern University, Dr. Circi leads the development of innovative AI and data science curricula for a dual degree program, profoundly impacting how future technologists and scientists approach AI’s technical and ethical dimensions.

Dr. Circi’s academic and professional endeavors are centered around leveraging technology to enhance educational outcomes. Her leadership in curriculum development has set new standards in integrating AI and data science in higher education, ensuring that students not only learn about advanced technologies but also understand their implications and applications in real-world scenarios.

Her extensive experience in quantitative analysis and data visualization significantly informs her approach to creating accessible and inclusive educational technologies. Dr. Circi has been pivotal in designing educational tools that accommodate diverse learning styles and needs, thus broadening access to technology-driven education.

At the Inclusive AI Institute, Dr. Circi applies her deep data science knowledge to develop tools and platforms that facilitate personalized and adaptive learning experiences. Her work focuses on removing barriers to education and employment through technology, with a particular emphasis on underrepresented communities in the tech industry.
Dr. Circi is committed to advancing the use of AI to foster an inclusive learning environment where technology serves as a bridge to educational equity. Her visionary leadership continues to guide the Inclusive AI Institute towards achieving its mission of democratizing technology and making AI a tool for positive societal impact

Diversity and Inclusion at Our Core

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. This commitment is reflected in our hiring practices, workplace policies, and the supportive culture we cultivate. As our team evolves, so will our efforts to enhance these initiatives, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered.

Advisors and Mentors

PROF. OKAN BULUT

Measurement, Evaluation, and Data Science
University of Alberta

Associate Prof. Ferhat Ay

Institute Leadership Assoc. Prof. of Computational Biology, Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Center for Sex-based Differences in the Immune System La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Dr. Alper Yaman

Senior Research Expert
Department Cyber Cognitive Intelligence
Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA ‌

Looking Ahead

As we continue to expand our team, we are excited to welcome new members who are passionate about making a difference through technology. Stay tuned to meet the innovators who will join us in pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve for inclusivity.

JOIN US

Interested in being a part of our mission? Visit our Careers page for current openings and volunteer opportunities. We are looking for individuals who are as excited as we are about using AI to
create a more inclusive world

For Collaboration or Networking opportunities, please Reach Out !

PROF. OKAN BULUT

Prof. Okan Bulut’s research straddles the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), educational data mining, and learning analytics. He is dedicated to developing AI-driven systems that leverage natural language processing to dynamically adapt to individual learning preferences, cognitive styles, and performance trajectories. His contributions to the field have been recognized in prestigious journals such as Educational and Psychological Measurement, Review of Educational Research, and Computers & Education: Artificial Intelligence. His teaching portfolio includes courses on computational psychometrics, machine learning, and statistical modeling. Prof. Bulut is also active in developing and delivering workshops, as well as creating online courses on a range of topics, including data mining, big data modeling, data visualization, and statistical data analysis with a goal of empowering students and professionals alike to unlock the transformative potential of data.

Associate Prof. Ferhat Ay

Assoc. Prof. Ferhat Ay works at the forefront of computational and statistical modeling in genetics. With a commitment to understanding the genetic and epigenetic foundations of gene regulation, Dr. Ay focuses on systemic, infectious, and immune-related diseases. His work emphasizes systematic and unbiased approaches to hypothesize and test theories within human genetics, molecular biology, and immunology. He has pioneered the development of computational methods that integrate statistics, graph theory, data mining, and machine learning, significantly advancing the analysis of large-scale genomic datasets. Dr. Ay’s innovative work continues to shape the field, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of genome architecture and its implications for human health.

Dr. Alper Yaman

Dr. Alper Yaman is a Senior Research Expert at the Center for Cyber Cognitive Intelligence, Fraunhofer IPA, and the Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management, University of Stuttgart. His work is primarily focused on the innovative applications of computer vision and artificial intelligence in various domains. This includes data-efficient AI, physics-informed AI, generative AI, and reinforcement learning, which he applies to enhance automation, robotics, and medical technologies. From 2015 to 2018, Dr. Yaman was an Assistant Professor at Yeditepe University, where he taught courses including Medical Robotics, Biomechanics, Biomedical Sensors and Transducers, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Modelling and Control of Dynamic Systems. He has also amassed five years of experience in the private sector as an R&D engineer and software developer, where he honed his skills across various programming languages. Dr. Yaman’s multidisciplinary expertise and his contributions to both academia and industry highlight his commitment to advancing technology and education in his fields of interest.