Tuğba Acer Demir | Pediatric Surgery | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğba Acer Demir | Pediatric Surgery | Best Researcher Award 

Clinician, at Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Turkey.

Dr. Tuğba Acer Demir is a dedicated pediatric surgeon currently serving at Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Turkey. She graduated from Hacettepe University Medical Faculty in 2002 and completed her pediatric surgery training in 2007 at the same institution. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience in pediatric surgical procedures, research, and academia. She has worked in multiple hospitals, including Başkent University Ankara Hospital, where she was a lecturer and later became an Associate Professor in 2017. Dr. Demir has 18 publications in SCI/Scopus journals, has led 13 completed and 2 ongoing research projects, and authored a book chapter. She is an active member of Turkish and European Pediatric Surgery Associations. Her research focuses on pediatric surgical conditions, metastasectomy, intussusception, and congenital anomalies.

Professional Profile

Scopus

ORCID

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🎓 Education

Dr. Tuğba Acer Demir embarked on her medical journey at Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, graduating in 2002. She then pursued specialization in pediatric surgery, completing her residency at Hacettepe University’s Department of Pediatric Surgery in 2007. Her education equipped her with a deep understanding of surgical techniques, pediatric diseases, and clinical research methodologies. She further enhanced her expertise through continuous learning and research contributions. In 2017, she achieved the prestigious Associate Professor title, recognizing her academic and professional accomplishments. Throughout her career, she has combined clinical practice with medical education, mentoring young medical professionals while advancing surgical research in pediatrics.

💼 Experience

Dr. Demir has over two decades of experience in pediatric surgery, starting as a resident at Hacettepe University (2002-2007). She completed her compulsory service at Siirt Gynecology and Children’s Hospital (2008-2009) before joining Başkent University Ankara Hospital in 2009. She progressed from a lecturer (2010) to an Assistant Professor (2014) and later earned her Associate Professorship (2017). In 2022, she transitioned to Ankara Etlik City Hospital, focusing on clinical practice. Her career spans teaching, research, and hands-on pediatric surgery, making significant contributions to understanding conditions like undescended testes, hydroceles, and intussusception.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Demir’s research primarily focuses on pediatric surgery, congenital anomalies, and minimally invasive procedures. She has extensively studied metastasectomy and its impact on lung metastases prognosis, the anatomical causes of undescended testes, and the natural resolution of hydroceles. Her recent work explores the role of methylprednisolone in treating intussusception without surgery, showcasing her commitment to improving pediatric patient outcomes. With 13 completed and 2 ongoing research projects, she continuously contributes to advancements in child health and surgical interventions.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Dr. Tuğba Acer Demir has received numerous accolades for her contributions to pediatric surgery and medical research. She was awarded the Associate Professorship in 2017, recognizing her academic excellence. She has been nominated for Best Researcher Award for her innovative studies in metastasectomy, congenital anomalies, and non-invasive pediatric treatments. With an impressive citation index (h-index: 8, 204 total citations), her research has gained significant recognition in the medical community.

📚 Top Noted Publications

Dr. Demir has authored 18 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious SCI and Scopus-indexed journals. Her research has been cited over 204 times, demonstrating its impact on the medical field. She has also contributed to a book chapter (ISBN: 978-625-7106-00-9). Below are some of her key publications:

  1. Successful Treatment of Early Presenting Intussusception With a Single Dose of Corticosteroid: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

    • Journal: Journal of Pediatric Surgery
    • Year: 2025 (April)
    • DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162198
    • Contributors: Tuğba Acer-Demir, Ayşe Gültekingil, Ender Fakıoğlu, Lütfi Hakan Güney, Rahime Sezer
  2. Intrauterine volvulus: systemic review of the literature with pooled analysis

    • Journal: Journal of Perinatology
    • Year: 2024 (November)
    • DOI: 10.1038/s41372-024-01984-6
    • Contributors: Tuğba Acer-Demir, Nihal Şahin-Uysal
  3. Comparison of Clinical Features of Intussusception in Terms of Age and Duration of Symptoms

    • Journal: Pediatric Emergency Care
    • Year: 2023 (October 3)
    • DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000003061
    • Contributors: Tuğba Acer-Demir, Lütfi Hakan Güney, Ender Fakıoğlu, Ayşe Gültekingil
  4. Coexistence of tubo-ovarian abscess and carcinoid tumor of the appendix in a sexually inactive girl: a case report

    • Journal: Egyptian Pediatric Association Gazette
    • Year: 2022 (December 30)
    • DOI: 10.1186/s43054-022-00139-6
    • Contributors: Tuğba Acer-Demir, Müge Sağnak-Akıllı, Lütfi Hakan Güney, Esra Elif Arslan, Ender Fakıoğlu
  5. Letter to Editor in response to: CT scans for pediatric injury in a middle-income country trauma center: Are we repeating past mistakes?

  6. Conservative management of iatrogenic tracheal rupture in a 19-month-old child

    • Journal: African Journal of Paediatric Surgery
    • Year: 2021
    • DOI: 10.4103/ajps.AJPS_13_20
    • Contributors: Acer-Demir, T.; Arslan, E.E.
  7. Ultrasound Guided Multi-Site Transversus Abdominis Plane Block For The Treatment of Scar-Caused Neuropathic Pain in A Child

    • Journal: Ağrı – The Journal of The Turkish Society of Algology
    • Year: 2021
    • DOI: 10.14744/agri.2021.69926
    • Contributors: Tuğba Acer-Demir
  8. First report of treatment with pancreas-sparing duodenectomy in a child with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia

  9. Neonatal Ileal Perforation due to Type IV Ileocecal Valve Atresia

    • Journal: Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Case Reports
    • Year: 2020
  10. The Long-Term Effects of Intrascrotal Low Dose and High Dose N-Acetylcysteine on Testis Damage in Rat Model of Testicular Torsion

  1. Natural History and Conservative Treatment Outcomes for Hydroceles: A Retrospective Review of One Center’s Experience
  1. A rare case of a gastric adenomyoma mimicking a gastric duplication cyst
  1. The effect of intraperitoneal N-acetylcysteine on postoperative adhesions in rat models
  • Journal: Annali Italiani di Chirurgia
  • Year: 2017
  1. Is every intussusception treatment an emergency intervention or surgery?
  1. Bloody nipple discharge as a benign, self-limiting disorder in young children: A systematic review including two related case reports
  1. The separation of the epididymis and the abnormal attachment of the gubernaculum cause undescendence in the rat testes
  1. Fat necrosis of transverse colon and necrotizing pancreatitis in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): cause of massive ascites and high fever
  • Journal: Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
  • Year: 2013

Conclusion

Dr. Tuğba Acer Demir is a highly qualified researcher in pediatric surgery with a strong academic and research background. While she possesses a commendable research record, incorporating more interdisciplinary collaborations, industry projects, and innovations could further strengthen her candidacy for the Best Researcher Award in the molecular biology domain. If the award focuses strictly on pediatric surgery research, she would be a strong contender; however, for a molecular biology-specific award, aligning research more closely with molecular techniques would improve eligibility.

Nathalie Yepes | Pediatric | Best Researcher Award

Dr . Nathalie Yepes | Pediatric | Best Researcher Award 

Residente , Universidad Libre, Seccional Cali , Colombia

Nathalie Yepes is a dedicated pediatric resident currently training at Universidad Libre in Cali, Colombia. With a strong foundation in medicine from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, she has a keen interest in pediatric care and medical research. Her clinical experience spans across renowned institutions, including Boston Children’s Hospital, where she is part of the Reckitt Pediatric Residents Digital Program.

Profile

ORCiD

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Research Experience: Nathalie has an impressive array of research experiences across various fields of pediatric medicine, including pediatric oncology, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders. Her involvement in high-impact research projects, such as those related to genetic variants in epilepsy and intellectual disability, as well as Behçet’s disease, showcases her commitment to advancing pediatric care through research.
  2. Published Works and Presentations: Nathalie has a robust record of publications in reputable journals, including case reports, systematic reviews, and original research articles. Her work has been presented at prestigious international conferences, such as the European Academy of Paediatric Societies and the World Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases. This demonstrates her ability to contribute to and disseminate important findings in the global pediatric community.
  3. Leadership and Collaboration: Nathalie has held leadership positions in research groups, such as being the President and Co-Founder of ISSEM PUJ Cali. This indicates her ability to lead collaborative efforts in research, which is crucial for impactful and innovative scientific contributions.
  4. Academic Excellence: Her strong academic background, including a high GPA in medical school and ongoing pediatric residency, provides a solid foundation for her research endeavors. This academic rigor is reflected in the quality and depth of her research outputs.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Focus on Specific Research Themes: While Nathalie has a diverse research portfolio, concentrating on a few core areas could further enhance her expertise and impact. A more focused research agenda could lead to deeper insights and more significant contributions in a particular field.
  2. Broader Impact and Application: Nathalie could work on translating her research findings into clinical practice or policy, ensuring that her work has a tangible impact on pediatric health outcomes. Engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations and outreach could help bridge the gap between research and practice.
  3. Mentorship and Teaching: In addition to her research activities, Nathalie could expand her influence by mentoring younger researchers and contributing to the education of future pediatricians and scientists. This would enhance her profile as a researcher who not only produces high-quality work but also nurtures the next generation of medical professionals.

    Education 

    Nathalie began her academic journey at Philadelphia International School, Cali, and later graduated from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana with a degree in Medicine, earning a commendable GPA of 4.10. She is currently pursuing her Pediatric Residency at Universidad Libre, Cali, with an expected completion in 2025.

    Experience 

    Nathalie’s clinical experience is diverse and rich. She is currently engaged in pediatric rotations at Fundación Clínica Infantil Club Noel, covering areas like pediatric nephrology, pulmonology, and infectious diseases. Additionally, she has presented her research at several seminars and conferences, including the second Seminar on Pediatric Respiratory Therapy.

    Research Interest 

    Nathalie is deeply interested in pediatric research, particularly in genetic disorders and systemic diseases in children. Her ongoing research includes studies on genetic variants associated with epilepsy, polymalformation syndrome, and the role of genomics in pediatric immunology.

    Awards 

    Throughout her career, Nathalie has been recognized for her contributions to research and medicine. She has been a speaker at multiple prestigious conferences and was the President and Co-Founder of the research group ISSEM PUJ during her time at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.

    Publications 

    1. Behçet’s disease in pediatrics, a diagnostic challenge: Qualitative systematic review of the literature
      Revista Colombiana de Reumatología, 2024
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      Cited by: Various articles in pediatric rheumatology.
    2. Left Knee Septic Monoarthritis in a Pediatric Patient due to Shewanella putrefaciens: Case Report and Literature Review
      Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob, 2024
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      Cited by: Recent studies on pediatric infections.
    3. Genomics role at the identification of patients with inborn errors of immunity
      Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 2024
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      Cited by: Research on genetic engineering and pediatric immunology.
    4. Role of gene interactions in the Pathophysiology of skeletal dysplasias: A case report
      Salutem Scientia Spiritus, 2023
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      Cited by: Articles focusing on skeletal dysplasias in pediatrics.
    5. Crohn’s disease with extensive involvement and unusual extradigestive manifestations: a case report
      Rev Colomb Gastroenterol, 2021
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      Cited by: Gastroenterology reviews on Crohn’s disease.
    6. Characteristics of the search and identification of scientific articles for systematic reviews in health sciences
      Salutem Scientia Spiritus, 2019
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      Cited by: Methodological papers on systematic reviews.
    7. Cardiogénesis: Bases estructurales y moleculares a partir del modelo de rata Wistar
      Salutem Scientia Spiritus, 2017
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      Cited by: Research on cardiogenesis and molecular biology.
    8. Análisis bibliométrico de las publicaciones sobre síndrome metabólico en dos revistas biomédicas colombianas de alto impacto
      Salutem Scientia Spiritus, 2016
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      Cited by: Bibliometric studies in health sciences.

      Conclusion

      Nathalie Yepes is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her extensive research experience, leadership in collaborative projects, and strong academic background make her a strong contender. To further strengthen her candidacy, focusing on specific research themes, ensuring the broader application of her research, and expanding her role in mentorship could be beneficial. Overall, her contributions to pediatric research are significant, and she demonstrates great potential for continued impact in the field.