Page 6 - Best Brain MRI doctors in Turkey: TOP 166 doctors

Dr. Zuhal Cakmak Peksen is a Family Medicine Specialist since 2017. She earned her MD from Çukurova University in 2010. She completed specialty training at Yüzüncü Yıl University between 2013 and 2017. She is currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in Health Management at Anadolu University (2024–present).

She has 15 years of clinical practice (2010–2025) across 8 institutions. Her experience includes research in Family Medicine (2013–2017) and work at several Family Health Centers. Since 2020, she has served at TOKİ Avrupa Family Health Center in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul.

Trustworthy, attentive, successful neurosurgeon with over 34 years of experience, high rate of success and exceptional surgical skills, providing quality neurological service for patients, successfully treating over thousands of patients suffering from many severe, complex conditions of the brain, spine and the nerves. 

Experienced in performing treatment modalities like micro neurosurgery, endoscopic skull base surgery, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, minimally invasive spine surgery and percutaneous spine surgery. Keen on performing clinical research and attending national and international medical conferences to stay abreast of new technologies in the field. Compassionate and detail-oriented with excellent communication skills. Expertise in healthcare, education and program management. Adept at developing and implementing forward-thinking strategies to enhance patient outcomes and collective knowledge in the field. Desiring to bring skills and success. Focused on working closely with other medical professionals and following up with patients. Well-versed at emergency procedures and fast and accurate sanitation.

Work History

2020-01 – Current - Asst. Prof. Neurosurgeon

Istanbul Medipol University, Health Care Practice and Research Center Pendik Hospital

• He successfully treated and followed patients with cerebral hemorrhage, brain and spinal cord tumors, and patients with hydrocephalus.

• He performed transnasal pituitary surgeries with success.

• Also, many cervical lumbar and thoracic disc patients were successfully treated, and disc prosthesis were applied to some of them.

• He re-operated a degenerative spine patient who had been operated on before at another center and the patient regained his health.

• He also successfully treated patients with premature neonatal intracerebral hemorrhage.

2019-08 – 2020-01 - Neurosurgeon

Freelancer, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases and improve patients' motor functions. Performed successful operations for complex, advanced and complicated disease of the brain and spine some of which were operated unsuccessfully at other medical centers by different neurosurgeons.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Maintained admitting privileges at local hospitals and provided quality follow-up care.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Founded a spinal surgery group with orthopedic surgeons and treated very advanced and severe vertebra deformities, spine abnormalities, scoliosis.

2018-12 - 2019-08 - Neurosurgeon

Alkafeel Super Speciality Hospital, Karbala, Iraq

• Conducted up to 5 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate 100 percent : 90-95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery, spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas, Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery, pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery, spinal instrumentation and fusion surgery, microdiscectomy cervical, thoracic, lumbar, pediatric cranial and spine anomaly surgery). Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries.

• Examined 900 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatments to them when necessary.

2015-10 - 2018-11 - Neurosurgeon

Medistate Kavacık Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat different advanced, complex severe diseases and improve patients' motor functions.

• Conducted up to operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. 

• Performed successful operations (success rate percent : 95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain , spine and nerves in adults and children.(Brain tumor, arachnoid cyst, intracerebral hematoma, spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, myelomeningocele).Followed the patients postoperatively. 

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (intracerebral hematoma, intracerebral abscess).

• Examined 850 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary.

1994-03 - 2015-09 - Neurosurgeon

Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

• Supervised trainees, medical students, residents and fellows to help each achieve proficiency in field.

• Conducted up to 20 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate: %90) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Skull base surgery, extended trans base approach, orbit zygomatic approach, presigmoid approach, orbital approaches, transcranial and lateral orbitotomy, Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, CSF leakage surgery, endoscopic, microscopic and transsphenoidal, transcranial. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and surgery of multiloculated hydrocephalus and pediatric neurosurgery. Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery. Brain aneurysm, AVM and cavernoma surgery.

• Spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas. Hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia surgery (microsurgical decompression) Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery. Pineal area surgery. Pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery.

• Foreman magnum tumors surgery. Surgery of hydrocephaly, Syringomyelia and craniovertebral animalia).Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (Epidural, subdural and intracerebral hematoma, vertebra fracture).

• Examined 500-700 patients per day in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary. Examined patients in the emergency service.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Led and oversaw 15 medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

• Led and oversaw medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

Education

1982-09 - 1988-08

M.D.: Medicine And (Pre-Medicine)

Ankara University Medical School - Ankara

General Medicine Training for 6 years. Graduated with a high GPA.

1988-11 - 1994-05

Specialist Neurosurgery: Neuroscience

University of Health Sciences - Ankara

6 years of neurosurgery training.

• My thesis was on brain abscess and their clinical and laboratory evaluations

1995-05 - 1995-07

Neuroscience

The Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

Ankara

I attended the course for microsurgery at University of Hacettepe Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

1998-04 - 2019-05

Observer Doctor: Neuroscience

Department of Neurosurgery, MSU - Ann Arbour, 

Michigan USA

2012-05 - 2012-05

Neuro endoscopy: Neuroscience

Ghent University - Ghent, Belgium

International endoscopic neurosurgery workshop, 

Ghent, Belgium

I attended the workshop for endoscopic skull base operations the and Neuro endoscopic third ventriculostomy at University of Ghent Hospital

Skills

Micro neurosurgery - Excellent

Neuro endoscopy - Excellent

Cranial base endoscopy - Excellent

Minimal invasive surgery - Excellent

Percutaneous spinal surgery - Excellent

Neuronavigation – Excellent

Certifications

1995-04 Microsurgery

2012-05 Endoscopy

Languages

Turkish - Native

English - Advanced

Arabic - Novice

Affiliations

Turkish Neurosurgical Society

Turkish Medical Association

Accomplishments

• Trained team of staff nurses in medical office procedures to ensure consistent quality of care.

• Published 17 articles in national and international reviews and presented papers in medical congresses.

Interests and operations I perform

Vascular diseases of brain

Endoscopic hypophysis surgery

Tumors of brain, spine and medulla spinalis surgery

Endoscopic brain ventricle surgery

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy 

Traumas of brain and spine

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar disc hernias and narrow 

canal disease surgery

Spine instrumentation and fusion surgery

Baclofen pump and neurostimulators insertions

Hydrocephalus surgery

Congenital diseases of the brain and spine (pediatric 

neurosurgery)

Peripheral nerve surgery

Education

2019

Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Electroneurophysiology

2005

Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Neurology

1998

Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Faculty of Medicine

Experience

2017 - 2019

Private Adatip Kurtkoy Hospital

2016

TND – Schering-Plough Proceedings of the Year Awards

2015 - 2017

Istanbul Yeni Yüzyıl University Private Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital

2015 - 2015

Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital

2005 - 2014

Private Avicenna Hope Hospital

2015 – 2019 Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine

2019 – Medipol University Pendik Hospital

Publications

1- Yüz Ağrılarında Trigeminal SEP Uygulaması ; Yüksek Lisans Tezi

2- Glial Tümörlerde P53 , PTEN ve EGRF Pozitifliğinin İmmunohistokimyasal ; Uzmanlık Tezi

3- Two siblings with homocystinuria presenting with dystonia and parkinsonism

4- Lack of association between IL-1ß/? gene polymorphisms and temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis

5- Psychogenic movement disorders in two children

6- Temporal Lob Epilepsi ve Hippokampal Sklerozlu Hastalarda İnterlökin 1-ß ve İnterlökin 1-? Gen Polimorfizminin Analizi

7- Hippokampal Skleroza Bağlı Mesial Temporal Lob Epilepsisi İle İnterlökin 1-ß ve İnterlökin 1-? Gen Polimorfizmi İlişkisinin Araştırılması

Experience

Liman Hospital Radiology Clinic

Academy Medical Center

Anaclinic Medical Center

Kayseri State Hospital

Kayseri Erciyes University Radiology Clinic

Samsun Private Midiliv Medical Center

Samsun Büyük Anadolu Hospital (2023)

Specializations

Abdomen Radiology

Doppler Radiology

Obstetric Radiology

Breast Radiology

Musculoskeletal Radiology

Pediatric Radiology

Neuroradiology

Nonvascular Interventional Procedures

uzmanlık

Specializations

Endoscopic Closed Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery

Surgical Treatment for Spine Fractures

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Cervical and Lumbar Herniations

Specializations

Micro Surgical Lumbar and Cervical Disc Herniation Treatment

Scoliosis Surgery and Treatment

Brain and Spine Tumors

Spine Fracture Treatment

Spinal Canal Narrowing Surgery

Lumbar Slipping Surgery and Treatment

Specializations

Brain Tumors

Aneurysm Surgery

Pituitary Surgery

Spine Surgery

Waist neck and back hernias

Spine Tumors

Spinal Fractures

Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Education:

Medical Specialization

Hacettepe University 2017 - 2007

Medical Specialization (Minor)

Ufuk University 2011 - 2009

Doctorate

Ankara University 2021 - 2000

Undergraduate

Ankara University 2006

Experience: 

Research Assistant

Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Institute, Ankara University

September 01, 2009 - October 08, 2021

Research Assistant

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University

February 27, 2014 - February 28, 2017

Research Assistant

Dr. Ridvan Ege Health Research and Application Center, Ufuk University

November 27, 2007 - December 09, 2011

Assoc. Prof. Ayşe İrem Yasin, M.D., is a medical oncologist who specializes in solid tumors. Her clinical focus includes breast, lung, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, and urologic cancers. She also treats brain and other CNS tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, head and neck cancers, adenocarcinomas, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and cancers of unknown primary. She practices at Medipol Acıbadem District Hospital (2025–present). She previously worked at Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital (2023–2025).

She completed a Medical Oncology fellowship at Bezmialem Vakıf University (2019–2022). This followed an Internal Medicine residency at the same institution (2012–2016). Her international experience includes the Breast Cancer Unit at the University of Piemonte Orientale in Novara (2022). She also trained at Basel University Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and Harvard Medical School. She holds the ESMO Board Certificate (2022).

Dr. Irfan Cicin is a Professor of Medical Oncology at the Trakya University Faculty of Medicine (2015–present). He has over 20 years of medical oncology experience and has held academic roles since 2010.

Education: MD, Istanbul University – Cerrahpaşa (1991–1997). Residency in Internal Medicine, Trakya University (1997–2002). Fellowship in Medical Oncology, Trakya University (2002–2004).

Practice: Medical Oncologist, Trakya University (2005–2008). Medical Oncologist, Elazığ Training and Research Hospital (2008–2010). Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, Trakya University (2010–2015). He previously served as a physician in the Turkish Air Force at Etimesgut Military Hospital (2004–2005).

Dr. Muhammed Mustafa Atci is an Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at İstinye University, Liv Hospital Topkapı (2025–present). He previously served as Associate Professor and Education Coordinator at Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital (2023–2025). He was also a Medical Oncologist there (2018–2021).

He has been a member of ASCO and the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology since 2018. He is the author or co-author of 19 peer-reviewed international papers on colon, breast, gastric, pancreatic, lung, thyroid, sarcoma, and colorectal cancers.

Notable works include a multicentre study on stage IIB colon cancer survival (Journal of Chemotherapy). He also studied the De Ritis ratio for lung metastasis in testicular cancer (Current Urology). His prognostic studies used PET/CT, MSI, lymph node ratio, and metabolic tumor volume.

Dr. Inci Emekli is a neurologist at PARMER, Istanbul Medipol University (2025–). She specializes in Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders. She completed her neurology residency at Istanbul University (2015–2020). She then completed a neurology fellowship at Karabuk University (2020–2023) and movement disorders training at Michigan State University (2023–2024).

Her publications include an accepted article in Movement Disorders on the Head Snap Sign, a 2024 World Neurosurgery article on gender inequality in leadership, and a 2021 Parkinsonism & Related Disorders paper on hereditary Parkinson’s in Turkey. She delivered an oral presentation in 2022 on COVID‑19’s impact on carpal tunnel surgery. She also co‑authored a neurology chapter on hyperlipidemia in 2021.

Accreditation: Fellow of the Turkish Board of Neurology (2019–). Memberships: Turkish Society of Neurology (2016–) and European Academy of Neurology (2019–).

Dr. Buse Cagla Ari, MD, is an Associate Professor of Neurology. She specializes in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, headache disorders, sleep disorders, and dementia. She works at Istanbul Medipol University and the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER). She previously served as an Assistant Professor at Bahcesehir University.

Her research focuses on Parkinson’s disease biomarkers, cognition, uric acid and cholesterol associations, restless legs syndrome, and complex headaches. This includes a 13-patient case series. She has published 15 international and 4 Turkish papers and 5 book chapters. Her work has 147 citations on Google Scholar (h-index 5) and 91 citations on Web of Science (h-index 5).

She is a member of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society, the International Headache Society, and the Turkish Parkinson’s Disease Society. She serves as a peer reviewer for SAGE Open Medical Case Reports, BMC Neurology, and Parkinsonism & Related Disorders.

Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis and Treatments

Alzheimer's Diagnosis and Treatments

Epilepsy (Epileptic)

EEG and Treatment

Muscle and Nerve Disease Diagnosis and Treatments

Vertigo Diagnosis and Treatment

Restless Leg Syndrome

Stroke (Cerebral Palsy) Diagnosis and Treatment

Bartın State Hospital (2007-2009)

VM Medical Park Samsun Hospital (2009-2017)

VM Medical Park Samsun Hospital - Deputy Chief Physician (2019-2021)

Samsun Education and Research Hospital (2021-2022)

Çarşamba State Hospital

Private Atasam Samsun Hospital (2022-2024)

Karadeniz Technical University (1989-1995)

Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine (2001-2006)