Principle investigator, Dokuz Eylül University, Turkey🧬
Dr. Can Küçük earned his B.S. degree from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Middle East Technical University (METU). He completed his Ph.D. in oncology and cancer biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in 2012. Following two years of post-doctoral research at UNMC and City of Hope Medical Center, he returned to Türkiye to join the Medical Biology branch of Dokuz Eylül University. Dr. Küçük has published in esteemed journals such as Lancet Oncology, Blood, PNAS, and Clinical Cancer Research. Notably, his first-author article in Nature Communications was cited as a foundational reference for the classification of Enteropathy-Associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Profile
Orcid
Education 🎓
Dr. Can Küçük earned his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Middle East Technical University, Türkiye, between 2000 and 2005. He then pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, USA, where he obtained his Ph.D. in oncology and cancer biology in 2012.
Experience 🏫
Dr. Küçük has held various academic positions at Dokuz Eylül University. Since 2023, he has been serving as an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences. Additionally, since 2018, he has been an Associate Professor at the Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Department of Genome Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology. Previously, from 2015 to 2018, he held assistant professor positions at both the Faculty of Medicine and the Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, contributing to advancements in medical and genomic research.
Research Interests 🔬
Dr. Küçük’s research focuses on the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic aberrations that lead to lymphoid cancers. His goal is to identify molecular biomarkers that can aid in diagnosis, risk stratification, and disease monitoring, as well as to discover more effective therapeutic targets for these cancers.
Awards 🏆
Internationally, Dr. Küçük has received three awards from the American Society of Hematology (ASH): the Abstract Achievement Award, the Global Research Award, and the Supplement Award. He also received the International Young Scientist Award from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Nationally, he has been honored with the TÜBA GEBİP and Science Academy BAGEP awards. Notably, Dr. Küçük facilitated access for Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine to valuable hematology education materials through the ASH International Outreach Initiative.
Publications 📚
Computer-Aided Identification and Design of Ligands for Multi-Targeting Inhibition of a Molecular Acute Myeloid Leukemia Network – Cancers, 2024. DOI: 10.3390/cancers16153607.
Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers of Pediatric Burkitt Lymphoma Identified Through miRNA Expression Profiling – Pediatric Research, 2024. DOI: Advanced online.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Reveals Genetic Variants in Low-Risk and High-Risk Neuroblastoma – Gene, 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147233.
Genetic and Epigenetic Analyses Reveal Transcriptional Silencing of SOX7 Due to Deletion in a Multiple Myeloma Case with Double Relapse – UHOD-International Journal of Hematology and Oncology, 2023. DOI: 10.4999/uhod.234456.
Whole Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals Cancer-Related, Prognostically Significant Transcripts and Tumor-Infiltrating Immunocytes in Mantle Cell Lymphoma – Cells, 2022. DOI: 10.3390/cells11212345.
Plasma Concentrations and Cancer-Associated Mutations in Cell-Free Circulating DNA of Treatment-Naïve Follicular Lymphoma for Improved Non-Invasive Diagnosis and Prognosis – Frontiers in Oncology, 2022. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.870487.
In Silico Methods for the Identification of Diagnostic and Favorable Prognostic Markers in Acute Myeloid Leukemia – International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021. DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179125.
PRDM1 Decreases Sensitivity of Human NK Cells to IL2-Induced Cell Expansion by Directly Repressing CD25 (IL2RA) – Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2021. DOI: 10.1002/JLB.3HI0920-003R.
A Prognostic Model for Melanoma Patients Based on Immune-Related lncRNAs – Experimental Hematology & Oncology, 2021. DOI: 10.1186/s40164-021-00237-7.
Conclusion
Based on his extensive research background, multiple prestigious awards, and his contributions to advancing our understanding of lymphoid cancers, Dr. Can Küçük is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His continuous dedication to research, his mentoring efforts, and his international recognition solidify his place as a leading figure in his field. However, diversifying his research scope could further enhance his influence and contributions to the broader scientific community.