As a first-generation immigrant and naturalized American, Duden Freeman had an early life marked by moving countries and attending international schools. This environment, surrounded by children of diplomats and multinational executives, instilled in Freeman the idea that traveling, living, and working overseas was normal. In hindsight, this experience was a privilege that deeply influenced a diverse career, which spanned various roles and continents, ultimately leading to the U.S. diplomatic corps. The entrepreneurial spirit required to navigate different countries also fostered a desire to become an entrepreneur. This culminated in founding Idelire Consulting after a tenure with the Department of State, allowing Freeman to bridge cultures and serve others while fulfilling entrepreneurial aspirations.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Dr. Banu Onaral came from a lineage deeply rooted in innovation. Her mother, Şükûfe Demirağ, was the daughter of Nuri Demirağ, a pioneer in Turkish aviation and industry, while her father, Mehmet Kum, was one of Turkey’s first aircraft engineers and pilots. This environment nurtured her passion for learning and exploration from an early age. Dr. Onaral attended Notre Dame de Sion French Girls’ High School in Istanbul and pursued higher education at Boğaziçi University, earning a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering. She completed her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 1978. Joining Drexel University in 1981, she became the H. H. Sun Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, and later, the Founding Director of Drexel’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems.

Lara Özkan's journey into the realms of Computer Science and Molecular Biology is a testament to her passion for solving complex biological problems through innovative research. Her academic path began as a wet-lab researcher at the Izmir Institute of Technology, where she worked on a project aimed at targeting breast cancer with nanocarriers for combinational drug delivery. This experience opened her eyes to the potential of integrating deep biological understanding with computational science skills. Unlike many who specialize in either biology or computer science, Özkan found a deep interest in the intersection of both fields. The high-dimensional and complex data emerging from biological samples intrigued her, driving her to use computer science tools to decode these intricate puzzles. This led her to delve into data science for biology and conduct computational biology research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. These experiences have paved the way for her current academic career at MIT, where she is pursuing dual majors in Computer Science and Molecular Biology and engaging in computational biology research at the MIT Media Lab and MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL).

Serhan Aydemir's journey from Türkiye to the United States is a testament to his passion for technology and determination to build a new life. Growing up with an interest in technology and computers, Aydemir’s career began to take shape with the rise of the internet in Turkey during the mid-90s. With a background in graphic and web design, his move to the U.S. in 2010 represented a significant step toward pursuing his dreams.
The decision to relocate was driven by his longstanding desire to live abroad, a dream initially inspired by his uncle and cousin living in the U.S. However, upon arrival, Aydemir found himself facing the challenge of starting anew in a country where his relatives were no longer present. Leaving behind his family, career, and belongings to start from scratch was no easy feat. Despite these hurdles, Aydemir’s resolve was bolstered by his dreams and the excitement of a new beginning.