Prof. Dr. Yasemin Gürsoy Özdemir is a distinguished neurologist and neuroscientist, currently serving as a Vice Rector at İstinye University in Istanbul, Turkey.

Istinye University

Education and Early Career

Born in Ankara in 1968, Prof. Dr. Özdemir graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1992. She completed her neurology residency at the same institution in 1997 and earned a PhD in Neuroscience in 2001. Between 2001 and 2004, she conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University's Massachusetts General Hospital, focusing on stroke and neurovascular regulation.

Academic and Professional Contributions

Upon returning to Turkey, Prof. Dr. Özdemir joined Hacettepe University, where she held positions as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor between 2004 and 2014. During this period, she played a pivotal role in structuring the neuroscience PhD program, establishing research laboratories, and served as Deputy Director of the Institute of Neurological Sciences.

In 2014, she transitioned to Koç University School of Medicine, serving as Head of the Neurology Department, Director of the Institute of Health Sciences, and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine until 2024.

Research Focus and Achievements

Prof. Dr. Özdemir's research encompasses mechanisms and treatments of migraine and stroke, with recent emphasis on cerebral blood flow, microcirculation, and the blood-brain barrier's impact on neurological diseases, particularly dementia. Her work has been published in high-impact journals, including Science and Nature Medicine.

Current Role

As of 2024, Prof. Dr. Özdemir serves as Vice Rector at İstinye University, contributing her extensive experience in neurology and neuroscience to the institution's academic and research endeavors.