On Thursday, the 18th of November 2021, Emre successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled "Investigation of Visual Processes in Pigeons: Hemispheric Interactions and Mirror-Mediated Behaviors”.

Emre conducted three PhD experiments that all resulted in nice publications. In these studies, he discovered some core principles with which the two hemispheres interact with each other through the commissura anterior under conditions of conflicting information. In a further study he solved the puzzle why pigeons can’t recognize themselves in the mirror, but can use a mirror as a tool to peek into corners that they can’t see directly. The solution for this last mystery was simple: They can’t. Instead, their nearly panoramic sight of view enables them to detect food even in areas close to their back. The committee was very happy with his achievements and was convinced that Emre fully deserves to be awarded a PhD.
Congratulations Emre! We all are very proud of you!