Honorary Doctorate Presented to Dr. Babak Kateb

Üsküdar University is hosting an important event. The Balkans and Middle East Brain Initiative Summit, organized by Üsküdar University and the "Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT)", will last three days. At the opening ceremony of the summit, an "Honorary Doctorate" was presented by Üsküdar University to Dr. Babak Kateb for his valuable contributions to neuroscience studies on a regional and global scale and his high dedication to the treatment of brain diseases. 

Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the digital control and tracking system will become globally widespread and accepted, adding that the metaverse is a method for this. Prof. Dr. Tarhan also said that global neuroscience policies will be discussed at this year's N20 summit. Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “The Brain Initiative is a study of innovation and entrepreneurship in neuroscience. By holding it in Turkey for the first time, we have made a start.”

 At the congress, where globally renowned figures in brain diseases and mapping will meet, over 50 scientists from universities in our country, Iran, and Egypt are discussing the latest developments in brain diseases and treatments.

 At the Balkans and Middle East Brain Initiative Summit, which will continue for three days at Üsküdar University NP Dental and Health Campus, the aim is to address neurological disorders in the Balkans and the Middle East and establish a regional consortium on brain, spine, and mental health. Scientists from distinguished universities in Turkey and various countries around the world are participating with presentations at the summit, where topics such as brain surgery, neurology, neuroradiology, psychiatry, neurotechnology, neuroengineering, and related policies will be discussed. 

Honorary Doctorate Presented to Dr. Babak Kateb

At the opening ceremony, a "Doctorate H.C. Presentation Ceremony" was also held by Üsküdar University for Dr. Babak Kateb, founder of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT), due to his valuable contributions to neuroscience studies on a regional and global scale and his high dedication to the treatment of brain diseases.

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “USA Made Significant Investments in the Brain Initiative”

Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Chairman of the Executive Board, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, who has been serving as the President of the Brain Initiative (MeBrain+ Initiative) for a year, stated that the initiative called the Brain Initiative was actually first brought up by Obama in 2013.

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “At that time, a budget of 100 million dollars was allocated. In 2015, the budget allocated for the Brain Initiative project was increased. Obama said then that the brain is the new frontier of science. He said that the brain would be discovered, and with it, the secrets of the universe. Tremendous investments were made. At the congress we attended in Washington in 2015 with the team from SBMT (Society For Brain Mapping & Therapeutics), which is organizing today's congress, a speaker from NASA stated that over 2,000 students were studying neuroscience within their organization. In 2018, the first results were announced in Davos. It was stated that minds could be controlled and that artificial intelligence was the new god-king of the universe. Historians like Harari made valid points. They used the phrase, ‘The world is heading towards a digital dictatorship, we are the last free generation.’”

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Neuroscience Policies to be Discussed at the 2022 N20 Summit”

Stating that the digital control and tracking system will become globally widespread and accepted, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said:

“The emergence of the Metaverse is also a method for this. It will actually be used in daily practice under the name ELG. The Brain Initiative is very important for this. It was continuing parallel to the G20 worldwide. The G20 was in Italy last year, this year it will be in Indonesia. We will hold an N20 parallel to that. Üsküdar University will participate as a university from Turkey. At that meeting, global neuroscience policies will be discussed. Digital artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and genetic collaboration will emerge. We held the first regional meeting of the SBMT association. We tried to explain the university's research infrastructures and what lies behind its claim of being a brain hub. We provided information on which treatment techniques are used as Turkey's 1st and Europe's 2nd brain hospital. Nearly 50 international speakers will participate in the three-day program.”

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “The Summit's Beginning was Made in Turkey”

Stating that they aim to collaborate regionally with stakeholder scientists and undertake projects together within the Middle – East Brain Initiative program, as it is a more specialized field, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Genetic laboratories have recombinant protein production techniques for new drug development. While producing these, there is a move towards using brain signals in treatments. These studies are aimed at being implemented and presented to the scientific community. With this program, we have also showcased the university's infrastructure. Teamwork is very important in international studies. There are many participants from Egypt and Iran. This was also pleasing. If it proceeds as planned, there is a possibility that this program will take place in Egypt next year. The Brain Initiative is a study of innovation and entrepreneurship in neuroscience. By holding it in Turkey for the first time, we have made a start.” 

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Üsküdar University's Success Certified”

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan provided information on the research and application areas focused on by Üsküdar University and its practice partner NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital. Tarhan stated that Üsküdar University successfully represented our country on a global scale by ranking in the evaluations of worldwide organizations such as Times Higher Education (THE) and Scimago Rankings for various fields such as research, innovation, social impact, education quality, and healthy living-well-being. Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Üsküdar University’s success in research and education activities has also been certified by the international rating agency Times Higher Education (THE). While studies conducted under the ‘4-quality education’ label were appreciated by THE, its success in R&D activities, especially in the field of health sciences, was reinforced with the ‘3-good health & well being’ label. Furthermore, in the ‘research index’ ranking conducted by Scimago Rankings via the Scopus database, Üsküdar University ranked 4th among foundation universities in Turkey.”

Dr. Babak Kateb Congratulated Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan

In his speech at the ceremony, Dr. Babak Kateb stated that one should always aim high and congratulated Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan on this matter. Referring to Üsküdar University's international rankings, particularly in the field of research, Dr. Babak Kateb said that Üsküdar University achieved great success by ranking 4th among foundation universities in Turkey in the Scimago ranking. Dr. Babak Kateb said, “Your university has reached this level with your openness to technology and innovation, which is why I am so pleased to be here... Üsküdar University is one of the most important universities for us.”

Dr. Babak Kateb: “All Good Things Must Be Shared”

Dr. Babak Kateb said, “I am very honored for this valuable award. Thank you very much.” Dr. Babak Kateb said, “I believe all good things must be shared. The first is wealth, the second is knowledge, the third is network, and another is love and health. Discovering new knowledge gains meaning when shared with others.”

Deep TMS Method Discussed

At the summit, Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz presented “Deep TMS and Addiction”, Akın Akakın from Bahçeşehir University presented “Deep TMS Applications”, Bahar Güntekin from Medipol University presented “EEG Event-Related Oscillations in Dementia”, and Kemal Arıkan from Üsküdar University presented “Predictive Value of EEG in Manic Shifts Associated with Antidepressant Medications”. Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Barış Metin from Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital provided information on a study he conducted on bipolar disorder in his presentation titled “Deep Learning Approach for Classifying Bipolar Disorder Topics”.

Scientists from the Iranian Brain Initiative Participated with Presentations

Scientists from the Iranian Brain Initiative also took part with their presentations at the summit, where Christoph Glaser was the keynote speaker. In the session chaired by Mohammad Nami, Harvard Mental Health Alumni – Middle East Ambassador, Jalal Jalal Shokouhi from the Iranian Society of Radiology participated with his presentation “Neurotrauma Imaging”, Maryam Noroozian from Tehran University of Medical Sciences with “Dementia and Cognitive Disorders in the Middle East: Threats and Solutions”, Sajad Sahab Negah from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences with “Exosomes Versus Stem Cells During Traumatic Brain Injury”, and Mojtaba Barzega, CEO and founder of IQBMI LLC, with “The Role of Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques in Brain Mapping”

Egyptian Brain Initiative Also Shared New Developments

Scientists from the Egyptian Brain Initiative, chaired by Mohamed Fahmy Zeid, also made significant contributions to the summit. At the summit, where Dr. Babak Kateb was an invited speaker, Mohamed Ahmed Fahmy Zeid from Alexandria University presented “A Novel Aspiration, Irrigation, and Dissection Microsurgical Forceps with Bipolar Coagulation Properties”, Sahar Elkaradawy “Barriers to Adequate Pain Management”, and Ebtesam Abdalla “Elucidating the Molecular Basis of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Egypt”, Jaidaa Mekky “Establishing a Sleep Disorders Unit: Challenges and Requirements”, and Nasser El-Ghandour from Cairo University presented “E-Learning and E-Education for All Continental Countries from Egypt”.

NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Visited

On the first day of the summit, a panel was also held with Rialda Kovacevic as an invited speaker. Speakers from the USA, UK, Italy, and Indonesia participated in the panel, which was chaired by Dr. Babak Kateb. Participants of the summit also visited NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital.

On the second and third days of the summit, sessions will be held on neurotechnology, neuropsychiatry, neurooncology, epilepsy and Connectomics, neurotrauma (Brain and Spine Injuries), and movement disorders.

For information