Sarah Coulette | Neurogenetics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Neuroscientists

Dr. Sarah Coulette | Neurogenetics | Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Sarah Coulette, Hospital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, France.

Dr. Sarah Coulette is a highly accomplished French neurologist based at the Rothschild Foundation Hospital in Paris. With a strong academic foundation from Toulouse and Montpellier, she has accumulated over eight years of clinical experience in neurology. Her expertise spans multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, EMG, and oculomotor disorders, with specialized skills in video-oculography. Dr. Coulette’s research has produced impactful publications and conference presentations, notably in areas such as SCA27B, Susac Syndrome, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. She is recognized for her translational approach, using imaging and electrophysiological tools to enhance diagnostic precision. Her work stands at the intersection of advanced clinical care, academic leadership, and innovative diagnostics, making her a respected figure in both clinical and research spheres.

Profile

Orcid

 

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Sarah Coulette began her distinguished medical journey in Toulouse, where she obtained her medical degree, establishing a robust foundation in clinical medicine. Her passion for neurology led her to pursue a specialized residency (DES) and internship in Montpellier, an environment known for its excellence in neurological education. During her formative years, Dr. Coulette developed an early interest in neurodegenerative and demyelinating disorders, particularly exploring how clinical presentation aligns with neuroimaging and electrophysiological findings. Her dedication culminated in the successful defense of her medical thesis in 2017, focusing on cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation—an ambitious and insightful project that was later published and presented at multiple prestigious forums.

🏥 Professional Endeavors

Following her residency, Dr. Coulette further advanced her clinical expertise by joining the Rothschild Foundation Hospital in Paris—an esteemed institution recognized for neurological innovation. There, she completed a competitive fellowship as a Chief Clinical Assistant (CCA), immersing herself in complex neurological diagnostics and patient management. As a practicing neurologist in the Department of Neurology, she now contributes daily to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and rare neuro-ocular syndromes. Her clinical acumen is further strengthened by her proficiency in electromyography (EMG) and video-oculography, placing her at the forefront of diagnostic neurology.

🧠 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Coulette’s research is deeply rooted in translational neuroscience, bridging clinical observation with advanced imaging and electrophysiology. She has made significant contributions to the understanding and diagnosis of disorders such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 27B (SCA27B), Susac Syndrome, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Her work on Video-Oculography as a diagnostic tool for SCA27B and her exploration of 4-Aminopyridine’s effects on downbeat nystagmus highlight her focus on functional, patient-centric innovation. Moreover, her investigations into magnetic resonance post-contrast FLAIR imaging in Susac Syndrome reflect her commitment to refining diagnostic accuracy in neuroinflammatory diseases.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Coulette’s academic excellence and research acumen have earned her recognition on both national and international stages. Her poster on SCA27B was presented at the Movement Disorder Society in Philadelphia (2024), and her oral presentation on Susac Syndrome was well received at the European Stroke Organization conference in Göteborg (2018) and SFNV the same year. These accomplishments underscore her credibility as a rising thought leader in neurology, consistently contributing meaningful insights to professional communities and peer-reviewed publications.

🔬 Impact and Influence

With over eight years of clinical experience, Dr. Coulette has become a trusted figure in the French neurology landscape. Her clinical interventions, guided by cutting-edge research and precision diagnostics, have directly improved patient care. Through her publications, she has contributed to broader scientific understanding, enabling other clinicians and researchers to refine their diagnostic frameworks and therapeutic strategies. Her collaborative approach and multidisciplinary knowledge make her an influential contributor to the advancement of neurodiagnostic science.

🧬 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Coulette continues to merge clinical expertise with investigative curiosity, envisioning a future where electrophysiological techniques and neuroimaging tools are seamlessly integrated into personalized treatment pathways. Her ongoing work on demyelinating diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis, promises to shape future therapeutic guidelines. She remains dedicated to fostering clinical research that directly enhances patient outcomes, especially in disorders marked by diagnostic ambiguity. Dr. Coulette’s trajectory suggests a future filled with academic innovation and compassionate care, setting a lasting example for future neurologists.

📚 Knowledge Beyond the Clinic

In addition to her clinical and research commitments, Dr. Coulette engages in academic mentoring and educational initiatives aimed at nurturing the next generation of neurology professionals. She advocates for the practical application of diagnostic technologies in medical training and actively participates in conferences, sharing her insights with both seasoned experts and young trainees. Her role as a clinician-researcher places her at the nexus of academic rigor and medical empathy, embodying a model of neurologic excellence that inspires continuous learning and collaboration.

Publication

  • Title: Diagnosis and Prediction of Relapses in Susac Syndrome: A New Use for MR Postcontrast FLAIR Leptomeningeal Enhancement

  • Authors: S. Coulette, A. Lecler, E. Saragoussi, K. Zuber, J. Savatovsky, R. Deschamps, O. Gout, C. Sabben, J. Aboab, A. Affortit, et al.

  • Year: 2019

 

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Sarah Coulette exemplifies the modern clinician-scientist—deeply engaged in patient care while actively pushing the boundaries of neurological science. Her blend of clinical excellence, research innovation, and academic mentorship positions her as a future leader in neurology. With a clear commitment to improving diagnostic methodologies and patient outcomes, her influence is set to grow both within France and internationally. Dr. Coulette’s journey highlights the vital role of neurologists who not only treat but also discover, teach, and inspire.

Mehveş PODA | Neurogenetics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Neuroscientists

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehveş PODA | Neurogenetics | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehveş PODA, Istanbul University, Aziz Sancar Inst. of Experimental Medicine, Genetic Department, Turkey.

The individual is a highly accomplished geneticist with a strong academic foundation, beginning with a BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Boğaziçi University, followed by an MSc and PhD in Medical Genetics from Istanbul University. Her professional career has been anchored at the prestigious Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, where she currently serves as an Assistant Professor. Her research spans rare genetic diseases, gene expression in pancreatic cancer, neuromuscular disorders, and third-generation sequencing technologies. With over 70 publications and an H-index of up to 8, she has significantly contributed to molecular genetics and clinical applications, earning citations and respect within the scientific community. Her multilingual abilities, project management certification, and involvement in genetic epidemiology further enhance her impact in both research and education.

Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

From the outset, a passion for genetics and molecular biology defined her academic journey. She earned her BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Boğaziçi University in 1993, a highly respected institution that laid a strong foundation in life sciences. Her keen interest in hereditary conditions led her to pursue an MSc in Medical Genetics at Istanbul University, where her 1996 thesis focused on understanding the genetic roots of spinal muscular atrophies within the Turkish population. This early research experience not only honed her skills in molecular diagnostics but also ignited her commitment to uncovering the genetic underpinnings of complex diseases. She further advanced her academic career by completing a PhD in Medical Genetics at the same university in 2004, where her dissertation revolved around pioneering techniques to detect mRNA in vertebrate tissue via in situ hybridization.

🧬 Professional Endeavors in Genetics

Since 2018, she has served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University. In this role, she has combined her deep expertise in medical genetics with teaching and mentorship responsibilities, fostering the next generation of scientists. Her academic presence in one of Turkey’s leading research institutes reflects both her commitment and her contributions to the broader scientific community. She also holds a European Certification in Project Management within EU Framework Programs (ECQA), which has enabled her to effectively lead and manage research projects aligned with global scientific standards.

🔬 Research Focus and Scientific Contributions

Her research encompasses a rich spectrum of topics, primarily centered around rare genetic disorders and the molecular intricacies of disease. She is particularly noted for her investigations into the molecular basis of rare genetic diseases and neuromuscular disorders, where she has explored genotype-phenotype correlations that enhance clinical diagnostics. Her work in gene expression regulation in pancreatic cancer has contributed to a deeper understanding of tumor biology, with implications for targeted therapies. She is also exploring third-generation sequencing technologies, particularly Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), to facilitate real-time genomic insights. Her studies in genetic epidemiology and metabolic syndrome reflect a broader public health relevance, bridging the gap between molecular findings and population-level outcomes.

📚 Academic Impact and Publication Record

With 71 peer-reviewed publications to her name, her scholarly output is both prolific and impactful. She has accumulated 196 citations on Web of Science and 218 on Scopus, reflecting the influence of her work across multiple scientific domains. Her H-index of 7 (WoS) and 8 (Scopus) signifies consistent scholarly engagement and recognition in the academic community. These metrics underscore her role as a key contributor in advancing genetic science in Turkey and beyond.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

While her work speaks volumes on its own, her achievements have been formally acknowledged through appointments and certifications that reinforce her leadership in the field. Her certification in EU project management is a testament to her administrative capabilities, enabling her to steer large-scale, interdisciplinary research initiatives. Her continued academic appointment at Istanbul University’s prestigious Aziz Sancar Institute places her among the foremost experts in experimental medical genetics in the region.

🌍 Influence in Scientific and Educational Circles

She is not only a researcher but also a skilled educator and communicator of science. Her bilingual proficiency in English and German, in addition to her native Turkish, has allowed her to build international collaborations and contribute to global scientific dialogues. Through teaching, supervision, and participation in multinational projects, she has influenced a broad audience—from medical students to advanced researchers—instilling in them a rigorous approach to genetic investigation and ethical science.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, her work in emerging sequencing technologies and personalized medicine positions her at the forefront of next-generation medical breakthroughs. As the landscape of genomics rapidly evolves, her role in shaping diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for rare and complex diseases will likely become even more prominent. Her trajectory suggests a legacy not only of scientific achievement but of mentorship, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of medical knowledge that bridges lab findings with real-world patient care.

Publication

  • Natural history of SMA IIIb: muscle strength decreases in a predictable sequence and magnitude – F Deymeer, P Serdaroglu, Y Parman, M Poda – 2008

 

  • Mapping of the second Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDAff2) locus to chromosome 9p23-p11: evidence for further locus heterogeneity – K Christodoulou, F Deymeer, P Serdaroğlu, C Özdemir, M Poda, … – 2001

 

  • Gender-modulated impact of apolipoprotein A5 gene (APOA5)−1131T>C and c.56C>G polymorphisms on lipids, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome in Turkish adults – E Komurcu-Bayrak, A Onat, M Poda, SE Humphries, J Palmen, F Guclu, … – 2008

 

  • The S447X variant of lipoprotein lipase gene is associated with metabolic syndrome and lipid levels among Turks – E Komurcu-Bayrak, A Onat, M Poda, SE Humphries, J Acharya, … – 2007

 

  • Segmental distribution of muscle weakness in SMA III: implications for deterioration in muscle strength with time – F Deymeer, P Serdaroğlu, M Poda, Y Gülşen-Parman, T Özçelık, … – 1997

 

  • Genotypic and phenotypic presentation of transthyretin-related familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) in Turkey – H Durmuş-Tekçe, Z Matur, MM Atmaca, M Poda, A Çakar, ÜH Ulaş, … – 2016

 

  • Pretreatment with octreotide modulates iNOS gene expression, mimics surgical delay, and improves flap survival – A Gözü, M Poda, EI Taskin, H Turgut, N Erginel-Ünaltuna, H Dogruman, … – 2010

 

  • CETP TaqIB polymorphism in Turkish adults: association with dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome – B Özsait, EK Bayrak, M Poda, G Can, G Hergenç, A Onat, SE Humphries, … – 2008

 

  • Comparison of S gene mutations in patients with occult and chronic hepatitis B virus infection – B Cakal, B Cavus, A Atasoy, D Altunok, M Poda, M Bulakci, M Gulluoglu, … – 2022

 

  • The effects of IL28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphism on hepatitis B infection – B Cakal, B Cavus, A Atasoy, D Altunok, M Poda, M Bulakci, M Gulluoglu, … – 2022

 

🧾 Conclusion

In conclusion, her career reflects a harmonious blend of academic excellence, innovative research, and impactful teaching. Her work continues to illuminate the genetic mechanisms behind complex diseases while guiding future scientists through education and collaboration. With a growing influence in genomic research and translational medicine, she is well-positioned to leave a lasting legacy in the field of medical genetics, particularly through advancements in rare disease diagnostics and personalized healthcare strategies.