Prof. Dr. Senay Yılmaz, Gaziantep University, Turkey.
Prof. Dr. Şenay YILMAZ is a distinguished academic at Gaziantep University, with a strong background in biology, medical genetics, and nutrition. Her academic path—from a BSc in Biology to a PhD in Medical Biology and Genetics—highlights her early and sustained interest in molecular science. Her doctoral work on microRNA expressions in Alzheimer’s patients marked the beginning of her deep research into neurodegeneration.
Profile
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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Prof. Dr. Şenay YILMAZ began her academic journey with a strong foundation in biological sciences, earning her BSc in Biology from Mersin University in 1998. Her early curiosity in the molecular world led her to pursue an MSc in Medical Biology at Gaziantep University, where she investigated innovative DNA amplification techniques using random oligonucleotide primers. This work laid the groundwork for her future specialization in medical genetics. Her academic commitment further culminated in a PhD in Medical Biology and Genetics at Mersin University. Her doctoral thesis explored the intricate roles of microRNA expressions and pathway gene polymorphisms in Alzheimer’s disease—signaling her transition into the intersection of neurogenetics and molecular biology.
🧪 Professional Endeavors
Dr. YILMAZ has held successive academic ranks within Gaziantep University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, where she currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Since joining the department in 2014, she has also been its Head, providing strategic leadership and mentoring for nearly a decade. Her dual affiliation with the Medical Biology and Genetics Department underlines her interdisciplinary influence across nutrition, genetics, and molecular medicine. Her professional journey has been characterized by a deep engagement with both teaching and research, integrating molecular science into the realm of health and disease management.
🧬 Contributions and Research Focus
Prof. YILMAZ’s research bridges the complex terrains of molecular genetics, neurodegeneration, and nutritional science. Her scientific focus is marked by the study of epigenetic regulation, particularly microRNAs, in diseases such as Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, and obesity. She has a keen interest in nutrigenomics, investigating how phytochemicals like thymoquinone and cucurbitacins can modulate cellular pathways involved in neurodegenerative disorders. Her work also explores telomere biology and oxidative stress as biomarkers, shedding light on how cellular aging intersects with disease pathology. An emerging area of her research addresses the impact of electromagnetic fields on gene expression, particularly concerning miRNA alterations—a highly relevant and novel dimension in today’s technology-driven world.
🏆 Accolades and Recognition
Although specific awards are not detailed, Prof. Dr. Şenay YILMAZ’s ascent to full professorship and her appointment as department head reflect peer recognition of her scholarly excellence and leadership. Her sustained academic service and progression through ranks signify both institutional trust and a consistent record of academic contribution. Through her publications, theses, and departmental development initiatives, she has earned a respected place within Turkey’s academic and scientific landscape.
🌍 Impact and Influence
The influence of Prof. YILMAZ’s work extends across clinical and academic disciplines. Her research on Alzheimer’s biomarkers and dietary interventions contributes to evolving therapeutic approaches in neurodegenerative care. By integrating molecular biology with nutritional strategies, she advances translational science aimed at public health benefits. She is also shaping academic policy and curriculum within Gaziantep University, nurturing future scientists and dietitians through a curriculum informed by cutting-edge science. Her cross-disciplinary work ensures that molecular insight reaches beyond laboratories into public health frameworks and clinical nutrition.
🔬 Legacy and Future Contributions
Prof. YILMAZ is poised to leave a legacy as a pioneer in molecular nutrition and neurogenetics in Turkey. Her continued focus on emerging research areas like electromagnetic field effects and non-coding RNA biology positions her at the frontier of biomedical innovation. She is expected to contribute to further biomarker discovery, especially as precision nutrition and personalized medicine become integral to healthcare. Her mentorship will likely influence the next generation of molecular biologists and nutritionists, fostering research that bridges basic science with human health solutions.
🧠 Championing Neuro-Molecular Health
At the heart of Prof. Dr. Şenay YILMAZ’s academic identity lies a relentless commitment to decoding the molecular underpinnings of neurological and metabolic diseases. Whether through investigating microRNAs in Alzheimer’s disease or examining dietary phytochemicals as modulators of gene expression, her work consistently centers on improving brain and systemic health. Her integration of nutritional science with molecular biology addresses one of the most urgent challenges of modern medicine: developing non-invasive, diet-based interventions that can prevent or mitigate complex chronic diseases. She stands as a champion for a future where nutrition and genetics jointly optimize human health.
Publication
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Title: Effects of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from Wi-Fi equipment on microRNA expression in brain tissue
Authors: S. Dasdag, M.Z. Akdag, M.E. Erdal, N. Erdal, O.I. Ay, M.E. Ay, S.G. Yilmaz, …
Year: 2015
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Title: Can peripheral MicroRNA expression data serve as epigenomic (upstream) biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease?
Authors: Ş.G. Yılmaz, M.E. Erdal, A.A. Özge, M.A. Sungur
Year: 2016
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Title: Evaluation of several micro RNA (miRNA) levels in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: H. Kandemir, M.E. Erdal, S. Selek, Ö.I. Ay, İ.F. Karababa, S.B. Kandemir, M.E. Ay, …
Year: 2014
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Title: Long term and excessive use of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation alter microRNA expression in brain
Authors: S. Dasdag, M.Z. Akdag, M.E. Erdal, N. Erdal, O.I. Ay, M.E. Ay, S.G. Yilmaz, …
Year: 2015
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Title: Personalized medicine beyond genomics: alternative futures in big data—proteomics, environtome and the social proteome
Authors: V. Özdemir, E.S. Dove, U.K. Gürsoy, S. Şardaş, A. Yıldırım, Ş.G. Yılmaz, …
Year: 2017
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Title: The catechol-O-methyl transferase Val158Met polymorphism and susceptibility to cannabis dependence
Authors: A.B.B. Isir, S. Oguzkan, M. Nacak, S. Gorucu, H.E. Dulger, A. Arslan
Year: 2008
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Title: Hypothesis: Do miRNAs Targeting the Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Gene (LRRK2) Influence Parkinson’s Disease Susceptibility?
Authors: Ş.G. Yılmaz, S. Geyik, A.M. Neyal, N.D. Soko, H. Bozkurt, C. Dandara
Year: 2016
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Title: Association of microRNA biogenesis pathway gene variants and alcohol dependence risk
Authors: H. Gedik, M.E. Erdal, S.G. Yilmaz, C. Sengul, C.B. Sengul, H. Herken
Year: 2015
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Title: Microribonucleic acid dysregulations in children and adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: H. Kandemir, M.E. Erdal, S. Selek, Ö. İzci Ay, İ.F. Karababa, M.E. Ay, …
Year: 2015
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Title: Effects of Huperzin-A on the Beta-amyloid accumulation in the brain and skeletal muscle cells of a rat model for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: C.H. Turkseven, B. Buyukakilli, E. Balli, D. Yetkin, M.E. Erdal, S.G. Yilmaz, …
Year: 2017
🏅 Conclusion
In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Şenay YILMAZ demonstrates the hallmarks of a leading researcher—scientific rigor, interdisciplinary innovation, and societal relevance. Her contributions to molecular neurobiology and nutritional genetics are both deep and impactful. With her sustained academic excellence, leadership roles, and commitment to translational science, she is highly suitable and deserving of the Best Researcher Award. With continued focus on global engagement, her influence in the international scientific community is poised to grow even further.