معرفی
Kutluk Oktay, MD, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Professor at Yale School of Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences. He serves as Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Reproduction and Fertility Preservation and is a world-renowned clinician-scientist specializing in fertility preservation and ovarian biology. Dr. Oktay is widely recognized as the leading expert in fertility preservation techniques, having pioneered ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation procedures.
Dr. Oktay's educational background includes:
- PhD in Medical Sciences from University of Gent (2015)
- ACOG-RCOG (WellBeing) Exchange Research Fellow at University of Leeds School of Medicine (1996)
- Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Subspecialty Fellowship at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (1995)
- Residency at University of Connecticut Health Science Center (1993)
- Residency at Columbia University Physicians and Surgeons, Harlem Hospital Program (1991)
- Residency at Cook County Hospital (1989)
- MD from Hacettepe University School of Medicine (1986)
Dr. Oktay's research focuses on ovarian biology, fertility preservation, and reproductive aging. He has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding ovarian aging mechanisms, chemotherapy-induced damage to ovarian reserve, and BRCA-related ovarian function. His laboratory discovered that women with BRCA mutations experience accelerated ovarian aging, fundamentally changing clinical approaches to fertility preservation for these patients. Dr. Oktay developed the world's first ovarian transplant procedure using cryopreserved tissue and pioneered specialized ovarian stimulation protocols for cancer patients, including those with estrogen-sensitive cancers. His recent work includes the development of the NoPauze procedure to extend reproductive lifespan and delay menopause.
His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a strong translational focus on improving ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation techniques, particularly for cancer patients. His research explores novel approaches to enhance follicle survival post-transplantation, develop pharmacologic strategies to protect ovarian function during cancer treatment, and understand the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage. Dr. Oktay's work consistently bridges basic science discoveries with immediate clinical applications, advancing evidence-based fertility preservation practices worldwide.
Dr. Oktay has received numerous prestigious awards including:
- Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (2022)
- Repeated recognition as one of the country's top doctors by Castle and Connolly
- Continuous NIH funding for over two decades
- Multiple international awards from professional societies and patient organizations
As a dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Oktay has trained numerous researchers and clinicians in fertility preservation techniques. His leadership roles include founding and chairing the Fertility Preservation Special Interest Group at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and serving as co-chair of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Guidelines Committee from 2005-2025, which shaped fertility preservation practices for nearly two decades. His laboratory has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health and other sources for over 20 years, supporting innovative research that moves from bench to bedside.
Dr. Oktay directs the Oktay Lab for Reproduction & Fertility Preservation Research, a translational research laboratory focused on advancing discoveries in human fertility and ovarian aging from basic science to clinical application. He is also the founder and Medical Director of the Innovation Institute for Fertility Preservation and serves as Director of the Ovarian Tissue Transplant Program at NYU Langone Long Island Hospital, maintaining an active clinical practice alongside his research endeavors.
