mem_somervilleFeb 22

For anyone who could use a spot of good news--outside of our region you might not have heard of it.

Dr. #RumeysaOzturk has completed her PhD.

"I would like to be called Dr. Öztürk, not Miss Öztürk, from now on.”

Yes, Dr. sister!

#SomervilleMA

https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/02/20/ozturk-phd-tufts-ice-immigration

Rümeysa Öztürk completes doctorate at Tufts nearly a year after harrowing ICE arrest

The Turkish national and Tufts University student was swept off the streets of Somerville last year by masked immigration agents. In a social media post this week, she announced she's completed her doctorate from Tufts’ Department of Child Study and Human Development.

Show threadCrystal Huff (they/them)

Rümeysa also wrote a really good editorial for the Guardian that was published last week:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/feb/18/rumeysa-ozturk-trauma-children-ice-gaza

@mem_somerville

After my ICE arrest, I learned one crucial way to respond to trauma. We can all take part

I was detained for co-writing a op-ed about Gaza as a student at Tufts. My experience has only made me feel more connected to others facing oppression

The Guardian
Feb 23 at 2:28amWeb