PhD Physicist & AI Engineer | Making Complex Concepts Simple

Ercag P.

Hello! I'm a dedicated and experienced educator with a Ph.D. in Physics from Bilkent University and a Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Pennsylvania, where I was also a PENN Data Science Fellow. My passion lies in demystifying complex subjects and making them accessible and exciting for students. I believe that anyone can master challenging topics like physics and AI with the right guidance, and my goal is to provide that supportive, one-on-one environment where students can build both deep understanding and lasting confidence.

My teaching experience is both broad and practical. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Pennsylvania, I had the pleasure of guiding graduate students through advanced courses like Natural Language Processing, Statistics for Data Scientists, and Machine Learning for Data Scientists. In this role, I led recitation sections, designed curriculum, and held one-on-one office hours with over 70 students to help them navigate difficult concepts. Earlier in my career, I directed the foundational physics laboratory program for over 1,000 undergraduate students at Bilkent University, giving me a strong foundation in teaching core physics principles effectively.

Beyond the classroom, I have extensive experience mentoring students in research settings. I’ve successfully guided individual fellows through complex research projects, from lab training to presenting their work at national conferences. I have also privately tutored over 20 students through Polygence, helping them develop and complete advanced research projects in physics and AI. Whether you're working through homework, preparing for an exam, or tackling a complex project, I am equipped with the experience and enthusiasm to help you succeed. I look forward to helping you achieve your academic goals!