Asli Erdogan holds an MS degree in physics from Bogazici University in Istanbul. Anthropology and Indian American culture are among her areas of interest. A widely-traveled writer, Erdogan published her first novel Kabuk Adam (Crust Man) in 1994. Mucizevi Mandarin (Miraculous Mandarin, 1996) is a series of interconnected short stories. Read More Set in Rio, Kirmizi Pelerinli Kent (City in a Red Cape, 1998) is her second novel. Erdogan's short story "Wooden Birds" receieved first prize in a competition opened by Deutsche Welle Radio in 1997.