Dr. Nilay Bakoglu Malinowski | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award
Digital Pathology at Memorial Sloan Kettering, United States
Dr. Nilay Bakoglu Malinowski is an accomplished pathologist and medical researcher currently serving as an Attending Pathologist at Istanbul Medipol University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology. With a deep commitment to advancing pathology through both diagnostic precision and innovative research, Dr. Malinowski has consistently merged clinical practice with scientific inquiry. Her extensive training and global collaborations reflect her strong dedication to the evolving landscape of digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic tools. Her contributions span academic, clinical, and technological domains of modern pathology.
Profile
Education
Dr. Malinowski earned her Medical Doctor degree from Abant Izzet Baysal University, Faculty of Medicine in 2012. She pursued specialization in pathology through a residency at Karadeniz Technical University from 2013 to 2017, later serving as Chief Resident until early 2018. This foundational training provided her with rigorous exposure to histopathological techniques, complex case evaluations, and teaching roles. Her educational journey also included collaborative training and academic engagements in the United States, enhancing her proficiency in cutting-edge technologies in pathology, including digital image analysis and molecular diagnostics.
Experience
Her professional trajectory began as a General Practitioner in Erzurum before fully transitioning into pathology. Dr. Malinowski has held numerous Attending Pathologist positions at institutions such as Ömer Halisdemir University, Namık Kemal University, and Tekirdag Public Hospital. From 2022 to 2024, she was a Senior Research Scientist at the prestigious Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York, working in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine under Dr. Yukako Yagi’s supervision. During her time at MSKCC, she engaged in high-impact research involving AI integration in digital pathology, enhancing diagnostic workflows. In 2024, she returned to Turkey to continue her clinical and academic contributions at Istanbul Medipol University.
Research Interest
Dr. Malinowski’s research interests are deeply rooted in the integration of artificial intelligence with histopathological analysis. Her projects have explored automated HER2 ISH and IHC assessments using whole slide imaging in various cancers, including breast, gastric, and gynecologic malignancies. She has also investigated micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for tissue morphometry and diagnosis. A notable aspect of her research includes semi-automated and cloud-based solutions for digital pathology, aiming to standardize and accelerate histological interpretation. Her work emphasizes improving diagnostic reproducibility, training efficiency, and therapeutic precision through digital innovations.
Award
Dr. Malinowski has received several notable accolades for her work. She was awarded Travel Awards by the European Congress of Pathology in both 2016 and 2017, recognizing her outstanding contributions as an early-career pathologist. In 2023, she received a Travel Award from the Pathology Informatics Summit, highlighting her role in AI-based pathology innovations. These honors not only reflect her scientific merit but also her commitment to contributing to global discussions on digital pathology.
Publication
Dr. Malinowski has co-authored several peer-reviewed articles and conference proceedings showcasing her research. Noteworthy among these are:
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“Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Automated Determination in Pathology Using Cloud-Based Platform,” published in Pathology and Oncology Research (2024), focusing on AI applications in diagnostic pathology.
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“Semi-Automated Analysis of HER2 Immunohistochemistry in Invasive Breast Carcinoma using Whole Slide Images,” published in Pathology and Oncology Research (2024), which highlighted the utility of AI for HER2 scoring.
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“Micro-Computed Tomography Whole-Block Imaging Reveals Origin and Path of Rectal Cancer Tumor Deposits,” published in Diagnostics (2024), offering insights into tumor mapping using micro-CT.
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“Histopathology of Cancer” chapter in Molecular Immunology and Biology of Cancer (2020), discussing foundational cancer diagnostics.
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“Clearing Barriers to the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Hematopathology” in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Diagnosis, Prognosis, Treatment and Outcomes (2023), co-authored with Yukako Yagi, addressing challenges in AI deployment.
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A conference presentation titled “Optimization of the Scanning Protocols for AI-Integrated Automated CISH Assessment,” presented at the USCAP 2023.
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“Evaluation of AI-Integrated HER2 Dual ISH Detection Systems in Invasive Breast Carcinoma,” presented at USCAP 2024.
These publications have been cited in digital pathology and computational diagnostics literature, underlining their relevance to current translational pathology efforts.
Conclusion
Dr. Nilay Bakoglu Malinowski exemplifies the modern physician-scientist, bridging clinical expertise and digital innovation. Her work not only advances diagnostic accuracy but also enables scalable, reproducible models for global pathology practices. With a career marked by cross-disciplinary collaboration, scientific curiosity, and a vision for the future of medicine, she continues to contribute significantly to both national and international academic platforms. Her trajectory serves as a model for integrating AI into medical diagnostics, ensuring that pathology remains at the forefront of precision medicine.