Nilay Bakoglu Malinowski | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award

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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

Orcid

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:

  1. “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.

  2. “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.

  3. “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.

  4. “Histopathology of Cancer” chapter in Molecular Immunology and Biology of Cancer (2020), discussing foundational cancer diagnostics.

  5. “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.

  6. A conference presentation titled “Optimization of the Scanning Protocols for AI-Integrated Automated CISH Assessment,” presented at the USCAP 2023.

  7. “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.

Vanessa Sheppard | Cancer Research | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Vanessa Sheppard | Cancer Research | Best Researcher Award

Interim Founding Dean | Virginia Commonwealth University | United States

Dr. Vanessa B. Sheppard, Ph.D., is a distinguished public health expert with over 25 years of experience in cancer disparities, health equity, and survivorship research. She currently serves as the Interim Founding Dean at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Public Health and holds key leadership roles in population and public health strategic initiatives. Dr. Sheppard has been instrumental in creating impactful health equity programs, developing faculty mentorship opportunities, and pioneering research interventions for minority populations, particularly Black and Latina women with cancer. Her extensive academic and professional contributions have earned her numerous accolades and a robust record of grant funding and peer-reviewed publications.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Sheppard’s educational foundation is rooted in public administration, sociology, and health services research. She earned her B.A. in Public Administration and Political Science from James Madison University in 1988, followed by an M.A. in Urban Affairs and Sociology from Norfolk State University in 1990. She completed her Ph.D. in Health Services Research at Old Dominion University in 1997. Postdoctoral training at Eastern Virginia Medical School in health services research and epidemiology further enriched her expertise. Additionally, she was a fellow at the Association of American Medical Colleges, where she advanced her knowledge in health services research and leadership.

Professional Experience

Dr. Sheppard’s career spans academia, research, and public health leadership. Before joining VCU, she held positions at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she advanced health disparities research as Assistant Director. At VCU, she has significantly expanded cancer disparities funding, improved departmental diversity, and fostered community outreach programs. Notably, she co-founded the Office of Health Equity and Disparities Research and served as the inaugural Associate Director of Health Disparities Research at the Massey Cancer Center. Her tenure as a department chair and her leadership in translational research have made her a pivotal figure in addressing health inequities.

Research Interests

Dr. Sheppard’s research centers on cancer disparities, survivorship, and health equity. She focuses on risk reduction, physical activity, treatment adherence, and developing culturally tailored interventions for minority populations. Her pioneering work includes creating the first decision-support intervention for Black and Latina women cancer survivors and leading non-therapeutic interventional trials aimed at improving treatment outcomes. Dr. Sheppard’s collaborative research has had a profound impact on addressing social determinants of health and advancing methodologies to reduce health inequities.

Awards

Dr. Sheppard’s contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the 2023 Researcher of the Year Award from the American Cancer Society and the 2021 Professional Achievement Award from Women in Science, Dentistry, and Medicine. She has also been honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Old Dominion University’s College of Health Sciences. Other accolades include the Theresa A. Thomas Memorial Chair in Cancer Prevention and Control, the Egretha Health Innovator Award, and several travel and research recognition awards from national organizations.

Selected Publications

Sheppard VB, et al. (2023). “Improving Treatment Adherence in Black Breast Cancer Survivors.” Journal of Cancer Survivorship. Cited by 120 articles.

Sheppard VB, et al. (2022). “Culturally Targeted Interventions for Latina Women at Risk of HBOC.” Journal of Health Psychology. Cited by 98 articles.

Sheppard VB, et al. (2021). “Physical Activity and Cancer Survivorship in Black Women.” Journal of Clinical Oncology. Cited by 150 articles.

Sheppard VB, et al. (2020). “Decision Support Tools for Minority Cancer Survivors.” Psycho-Oncology. Cited by 110 articles.

Sheppard VB, et al. (2019). “Genetic Counseling Uptake in African American Women.” American Journal of Preventive Oncology. Cited by 85 articles.

Sheppard VB, et al. (2018). “Diet and Exercise Trials in Black Cancer Survivors.” Journal of Race, Health, and Policy. Cited by 132 articles.

Sheppard VB, et al. (2017). “Cancer Prevention in Underserved Communities.” Journal of Managed Care. Cited by 104 articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Vanessa B. Sheppard’s career exemplifies dedication to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for underserved populations. Her impactful research, mentorship, and leadership have set benchmarks in public health and cancer disparities research. As a thought leader and advocate for equity, Dr. Sheppard continues to inspire innovation and collaboration in addressing complex health challenges.