Arda Temena. Researcher in health data analytics, bioinformatics, and science policy, based in Istanbul, Turkey.
Trained in medical genetics and computational biology, I have spent more than five years working as a bioinformatician, contributing to research and routine diagnosis in precision medicine. Over time, my interest in data expanded from genomes to the people, systems, and institutions that give data its social meaning. This shift has led me ask broader questions of responsibility, and inclusion in data-driven health systems.
Today, I am a PhD researcher in the Science and Technology Policy programme at Middle East Technical University (METU). My work focuses on health data analytics and equity, with a particular emphasis on how data practices affect different generations and patients through their lifetime. A central motivation in my research is the simple but often overlooked fact that much of the data used for designing better care for older adults comes from their own lives and experiences, yet the benefits frequently flow elsewhere, for instance, to institutions, to younger populations, or to future systems. I treat ‘better data’ not as a purely technical issue, but as something that relies on reciprocity and transparent communication between people and the systems designed to support them. Indeed, these perspectives actually stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic, a moment when information became a tool of control, particularly toward older adults. That period convinced me that knowledge must circulate socially, not just scientifically, and that evidence should bring people closer to care rather than reinforce distance.
I first met ENIEC members Jan, Sevilay, and Ferhan, together with ENIEC members, Chandra, Marie-Antoinette, Hermien and Karin, when they visited Istanbul in 2025, and we spoke about care, trust, and ageing across cultures. They introduced me to ENIEC, which led me to explore the network further. We spoke about the ways data can illuminate social realities or, when misused, push people into invisibility. By joining ENIEC, I can contribute by communicating the importance of data to institutions and highlighting how each datapoint can support more equitable care for everyone. Additionally, connecting with ENIEC members will help me learn from different perspectives and expand the possibilities for my research.
The warmth of those conversations in Istanbul encouraged me to stay connected. If I can, I’d also like to meet more ENIEC members in Frankfurt and exchange ideas, talk, and connect.
