Prof. Dr. Yasemin Gürsoy Özdemir Appointed as Vice Rector of İstinye University

Prof. Dr. Yasemin Gürsoy Özdemir appointed to position of Vice Rector at İstinye University. Prof. Dr. Özdemir, who is also a faculty member at the School of Medicine, continues her research in neuroscience, particularly on the mechanisms and treatments of migraine and stroke.

Prof. Dr. Yasemin Gürsoy Özdemir has been appointed to the position of Vice Rector at İstinye University. Prof. Dr. Özdemir, a faculty member at the School of Medicine, will serve as Vice Rector alongside Prof. Dr. Peyami Çelikcan and Prof. Dr. Hatice Gülen. Prof. Dr. Özdemir is recognized for her research on cerebral blood flow, microcirculation, blood-brain barrier and the effects of all these structures on neurological diseases, particularly dementia.

Who is Prof. Dr. Yasemin Gürsoy Özdemir?

Prof. Dr. Yasemin Gürsoy Özdemir was born in Ankara in 1968 and graduated from Hacettepe University School of Medicine in 1992. She completed her specialization training in Neurology at the same university in 1997 and her doctorate in Basic Neurological Sciences in 2001. Between 2001 and 2004, she conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University as a Fulbright scholar.

Between 2004 and 2014, she continued her academic career at Hacettepe University School of Medicine and Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry. She received the title of Associate Professor in 2004 and Professor in 2011. Between 2004 and 2014, she held positions in structuring the Neuroscience doctorate program, establishing research laboratories, and serving as Deputy Director of the Institute of Neurological Sciences.

Between 2014 and 2024, she worked at Koç University School of Medicine. At Koç University, she held the positions of Head of the Department of Neurology, Director of the Institute of Health Sciences, and Vice Dean of the School of Medicine. Özdemir continues her research in neuroscience, particularly on the mechanisms and treatments of migraine and stroke. Cerebral blood flow, microcirculation, blood-brain barrier and the effects of all these structures on neurological diseases, particularly dementia, are areas on which she has focused intensively in recent years. These studies have been published in high-impact journals such as Science and Nature Medicine.

In 2024, she was elected as a full member of the Science Academy. She has managed numerous TÜBİTAK and TÜSEB projects, and served as Vice Chair of a COST action. She has been recognized with numerous awards and scholarships including TÜBİTAK Science Encouragement Award, Eczacıbaşı Science Encouragement Award, TÜBA GEBİP Award, and Koç University Research Award. She has collaborated with YÖKAK, particularly in establishing accreditation periods for health sciences institutes, preparing evaluation books and documents, and participating in field work as a YÖKAK evaluator.