Derya Akkaynak's Homepage

Welcome!

I am a PhD candidate in the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography. I have an MS degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering from Middle East Technical University (METU). My research focuses on the computer vision analysis of the adaptive coloration and dynamic camouflage ability of cephalapods. I love scuba diving for work and for fun; I am married and have two cats.

Derya Akkaynak Yellin
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Room 5-435
Cambridge MA 02139

++1 617 549 8053

A note on feline chronic renal failure (CRF)

Kidney failure is among the most common causes of death in cats, but it is usually associated with old age. Unfortunately, young cats can get it too; some breeds like Siamese and Persian are more prone to it, and independent of age and breed, they don't start to show symptoms until they have already lost 65-70 % of kidney function. CRF is not cureable, but it is treatable and many cats with little kidney function live a good quality life with lots of love and good medical care. If you are the human of a cat, you can ask for a blood test at all of your regular vet visits and greatly increase the chances of an early diagnosis.

Cübür, my Siamese diagnosed with Stage IV CRF at age 4.