Gökay Taylan serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Cardiology at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine since 2023, having previously held an Assistant Professor position from 2018. His academic journey includes a Doctoral Degree (MD) completed in 2015. Research Focus: Dr. Taylan specializes in complex cardiac conditions with emphasis on Takotsubo syndrome , arrhythmia mechanisms , and myocardial infarction complications . His work integrates advanced imaging techniques with biomarker analysis to address critical gaps in cardiac risk stratification. Current investigations focus on glucose-potassium ratios as mortality predictors in critical care settings and innovative approaches to atrial fibrillation ablation. His publication portfolio demonstrates significant contributions to understanding Brugada syndrome phenocopies , coronary microvascular dysfunction , and post-MI remodeling . Recent collaborative work includes the MORCOR-TURK trial analyzing coronary care unit mortality predictors. Dr. Taylan actively supervises doctoral research, with one completed dissertation examining fragmented QRS complexes in hemodialysis patients. His clinical work emphasizes translational applications in cardiac electrophysiology and preventive cardiology programs for atrial fibrillation management.
Dr. Arie S. Belldegrun is a Professor and Chief of the Department of Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, holding the Roy and Carol Dumani Chair in Urology. He serves as Surgical Director of the Genitourinary Oncology program and Director of the Institute of Urology Oncology at UCLA. As a member of the Tumor Immunology & Immunotherapy program, Dr. Belldegrun maintains clinical appointments at both Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. MD, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, 1974 Surgical Oncology Fellowship, National Institutes of Health, 1985-1988 Research Fellowship, Weizmann Institute of Science, 1976-1979 Urology Residency, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 1982-1985 Dr. Belldegrun's research focuses on targeted specific therapy and immunotherapy of kidney and prostate cancers. His laboratory reported on the cloning of a tissue specific and androgen responsive novel 620 bp PSA promoter sequence, providing the foundation for developing tissue specific vectors for prostate cancer gene therapy. He has also studied the feasibility of isolating functional dendritic cells from renal cell carcinoma patients and compared their transduction efficiency using various gene transfer methods. His clinical interests span a broad range of urologic conditions including kidney cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and numerous other urologic malignancies and conditions. Analysis of Dr. Belldegrun's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on renal cell carcinoma research, particularly in genomic characterization, biomarker development (especially carbonic anhydrase-IX), and immunotherapy approaches. His work spans clinical trials, genomic analysis, and translational research bridging laboratory findings to clinical applications. The research demonstrates consistent focus on improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of urologic cancers, with particular attention to personalized medicine approaches. Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2018 Dr. Belldegrun has been instrumental in developing clinical trial protocols for kidney cancer treatment, including the high-dose aldesleukin "select" trial for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. His research has secured substantial grant funding supporting translational work in immunotherapy and targeted therapy. His laboratory investigations into dendritic cell-based immunotherapy have contributed significantly to understanding immune responses in renal cell carcinoma. Dr. Belldegrun leads the Institute of Urology Oncology at UCLA, which integrates clinical care, research, and education in urologic malignancies. The institute focuses on developing innovative treatment approaches for kidney, prostate, and bladder cancers, with particular emphasis on immunotherapy and precision medicine strategies. Under his direction, the institute has established comprehensive clinical trials programs and translational research initiatives bridging laboratory discoveries with patient care.
Dr. Yun Shin Chun is a Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, specializing in surgical management of liver and biliary tract malignancies. Her research integrates molecular markers, mutational profiling, and radiomics to optimize hepatic resection patient selection. Key contributions include demonstrating monoclonal genomic profiles in multifocal intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (indicating metastatic spread) and developing radiomic predictors for colorectal liver metastases response. She focuses on translating genomic and imaging biomarkers into precision oncology for hepatobiliary cancers. Dr. Chun serves as co-principal investigator on an R01 grant with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for Development and Validation of Prognostic Radiomic Markers of Response and Recurrence for Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases. She is Core Leader for the hepatocellular carcinoma Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant and directs the primary liver cancer tissue bank within the Pathology and Biobanking Core, enabling translational research.
Daniel Herzig, MD, MBA is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). He joined the OHSU faculty in 2005 and is part of both the OHSU Digestive Health Center and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. As a colon and rectal surgeon, Dr. Herzig specializes in treating colon cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer, and other colorectal conditions, providing personalized care for each patient with a focus on finding the best treatment approach whether through surgery or office-based procedures. Dr. Herzig earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1999 and completed his surgical residency at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital from 1999-2004, where he received over a dozen awards including the Outstanding Resident Physician award. He then pursued a fellowship in Colorectal Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston from 2004-2005. In 2020, he completed an MBA from Oregon Health & Science University/Portland State University. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery (2005) and in Colon and Rectal Surgery (2006), and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Herzig's research focuses on innovative approaches to colorectal cancer treatment, particularly non-operative management of rectal cancer. His key research areas include: Treatment of rectal cancer without surgery Hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes (Lynch syndrome, FAP) Colorectal surgery outcomes Timing of surgery Organ preservation strategies in rectal cancer Development of Oregon's first Colorectal Cancer Registry Analysis of Dr. Herzig's recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a strong focus on organ preservation strategies for rectal cancer, particularly through the OPRA trial and related research. His work examines MRI predictors of successful organ preservation, long-term outcomes of watch-and-wait approaches, and the relationship between clinical response grade and survival. Other significant research themes include surgical techniques for colorectal procedures, management of colorectal liver metastases, and innovative approaches to cancer treatment. Dr. Herzig has received notable recognition for his clinical excellence: 'Portland's Top Doctors' 'America's Top Surgeons' Outstanding Resident Physician award from Brown University As an educator and institutional leader, Dr. Herzig completed the Human Investigations Program in 2009 and has served in various leadership roles. He is the moderator of the weekly GI Oncology Tumor Board at OHSU and serves as the Surgical Director for gastroenterology endoscopy privileging. Regionally, he was President of the Oregon Chapter of the American College of Surgeons (2014-2016) and Local Arrangements Chair of the North Pacific Surgical Association (2015). Nationally, he serves on the Communications Committee for the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract and the Clinical Practices Guidelines Committee for the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Dr. Herzig has made significant contributions to his field through his leadership in establishing Oregon's first Colorectal Cancer Registry and through his active participation in national clinical practice guidelines development. He is frequently invited to lecture on colon and rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and pelvic floor disorders at institutional, regional, and national levels.
