Assist. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Sagnak Yilmaz | Molecular pathology | Best Researcher Award

Academician/Research Scholar , Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine Pathology Department, Turkey

Dr. Zeynep Sagnak Yilmaz, M.D., is an accomplished academic pathologist and researcher from Trabzon, Türkiye. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, in the Department of Pathology. With a medical degree from Dokuz Eylul University and advanced training in neuropathology at UCSF, Dr. Sagnak Yilmaz combines clinical excellence with academic passion. She is pursuing her PhD in Molecular Pathology at Dokuz Eylul University, further deepening her expertise in the molecular mechanisms underlying disease. She is a dedicated member of multiple national and international pathology societies and serves on the board of the Anatolian Pathology Society. Her clinical background spans emergency medicine to consultant pathology roles, shaping her comprehensive understanding of diagnostics. Through her diverse training and professional experiences, she contributes significantly to education, diagnostics, and translational pathology research both in Türkiye and globally.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Dr. Zeynep Sagnak Yilmaz began her academic journey at Trabzon Kanuni Anatolian High School (2001–2005). She then entered medical school at Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine in Izmir, completing her M.D. degree in 2011. Her quest for specialized knowledge led her to a general surgery training certificate from Barlicki Hospital in Poland in 2007. In 2015, she earned a neuropathology certification from the University of California, San Francisco—an internationally renowned center for neurosciences. Currently, she is advancing her academic credentials as a PhD student in Molecular Pathology at Dokuz Eylul University Institute of Health Sciences. Her academic foundation reflects a rich blend of local and global experiences that have shaped her into a medical educator and researcher. Dr. Sagnak Yilmaz’s educational background is the bedrock of her continued research in tissue diagnostics and molecular pathology, allowing her to bridge traditional pathology with advanced molecular insights.

Experience 💼

Dr. Zeynep Sagnak Yilmaz’s medical career began in 2011 at the Emergency Department of Rize Findikli Goiter Research Hospital. From 2012 to 2017, she completed her pathology residency at Karadeniz Technical University. She then served as a consultant pathologist at Gaziantep Şehitkamil Public Hospital (2017–2018) and Kanuni Training and Research Hospital (2018–2021). In 2021, she rejoined Karadeniz Technical University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology, where she continues to teach, research, and diagnose. Her journey also includes hands-on experience in neuropathology and molecular diagnostics, stemming from her advanced training at UCSF and her ongoing PhD at Dokuz Eylul University. Her academic and clinical positions highlight her versatile expertise—from high-pressure emergency settings to precision diagnostics in pathology. With over a decade of service, Dr. Sagnak Yilmaz remains deeply involved in mentoring, diagnostics, and research activities that impact both patient care and the next generation of medical professionals.

Research Focus 🔍

Dr. Zeynep Sagnak Yilmaz’s research focus centers on molecular pathology, with a strong emphasis on the diagnosis and molecular profiling of cancer tissues. As a PhD candidate at Dokuz Eylul University’s Department of Molecular Pathology, she explores the genetic and biomarker-based underpinnings of malignancies, aiming to improve precision diagnostics and targeted therapy strategies. Her expertise in neuropathology, further refined through training at UCSF, enhances her ability to bridge histological findings with molecular characteristics, particularly in brain tumors and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, she is involved in cytopathology and tissue-based translational research, applying cutting-edge techniques to identify tumor behavior, prognosis, and treatment responses. Through her active participation in global pathology societies, Dr. Sagnak Yilmaz contributes to collaborative projects that align traditional morphological assessment with innovative molecular tools. Her work supports the evolving role of pathologists in the era of personalized medicine and integrative diagnostics.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Dr. Zeynep Sagnak Yilmaz has earned several prestigious certifications and recognitions throughout her academic and medical career. Early in her training, she received a General Surgery Certificate from Barlicki Hospital in Poland (2007), a noteworthy achievement for a medical student. In 2015, her pursuit of excellence led her to the University of California, San Francisco, where she completed advanced training in Neuropathology—a rare and distinguished credential. Her academic and professional journey is also highlighted by active membership in major scientific bodies, including the European Society of Pathology, Turkish Pathology Federation, Turkish Society of Cytopathology, and the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Anatolian Pathology Society, reflecting her leadership and influence in the field. These honors underscore her global outlook, clinical excellence, and dedication to the advancement of medical science, education, and community engagement.

Publication Top Notes

1. Comparison of ProExC and p16ink4a Biological Markers in Lesional Smears With the Immunocytochemical Method and Relationship With Human Papillomavirus in Liquid-based Cervicovaginal Specimens

2. Nuclear Morphometry for the Differentiation of Benign or Malignant Lesions with the Diagnosis of Atypia of Undetermined Significance/Follicular Lesion of Undetermined Significance in Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy

3. Diffuse Adenomyomatosis of the Gallbladder in a Child

Dr. Zeynep Sagnak Yilmaz is highly suitable for the “Best Researcher Award.” Her interdisciplinary research in molecular and neuropathology, academic leadership, and clinical integration of research findings distinguish her as a forward-thinking and impactful researcher. With a strong national and international presence, she not only contributes to scientific discovery but also to the training of future medical scientists and the improvement of patient care. Recognizing her with this award would not only honor her past achievements but also empower her continued excellence in the field of pathology.