An Unexpected Anatomical Journey
Clinical research, the journey towards innovation that could affect the lives of patients, often resembles a winding road, full of twists, turns, and unexpected discoveries. The same can be said for the journey that brought Dr. Alpen Ortug, a clinical anatomist and postdoctoral research fellow at Mass. General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, to her current work, attempting to uncover the structural differences in neurodevelopmental disorders by using advanced neuroimaging systems.
The Winding Road to Anatomy
Anatomy, science, and academia were always part of Dr. Ortug’s life “Anatomy was not new to me. My father is also a professor of anatomy…science and academia was all I knew.” At an early age she knew she desired a life of scientific inquiry, but the road that led Dr. Ortug to her current path was winding, with unexpected detours.
Dr. Ortug's academic journey began at Yeditepe University in Istanbul, Turkey, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Bioengineering in 2011, but her path would soon diverge into diverse fields when she embarked on a journey that would lay the foundation for her future endeavors. She pursued two distinct Master of Science degrees at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, one in Human Anatomy and the other in Forensic Sciences. These early academic pursuits allowed her to explore the intricate details of the human body from multiple angles. Her master's projects ranged from the metric evaluation of anthropological landmarks in the skull to population genetics related to nicotine dependence.
Dr. Ortug's academic odyssey continued as she earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Anatomy from Istanbul Medipol University in 2020. During her doctoral studies, she found herself on a transformative path that led her to Boston Children's Hospital, where she collaborated with the Takahashi Lab. This collaboration focused on the methodology of her Ph.D. thesis: diffusion tractography of cerebellar pathways and their clinical correlations with posterior fossa tumors.
Her contributions to various projects centered on advanced neuroimaging of fetal and newborn data highlighted her growing expertise in the field. These experiences ultimately shaped her career trajectory towards neuroimaging, a journey that has only continued to unfold.
Reimagining Neuroimaging
Dr. Ortug employs cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques developed in the Takahashi Lab, including diffusion MRI and structural MRI, to investigate white matter connectivity in the developing brain. With a focus on clinically relevant neuroimaging, she hopes to answer pressing clinical research questions and identify potential neuroimaging biomarkers.
Dr. Ortug's research portfolio extends to studying structural differences in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. Her work provides insights into the structural alterations in the brains of individuals with these conditions.
Recently, Dr. Ortug joined the Brain and Eye Pain Imaging Lab (BEPI) at Boston Children's Hospital. Her focus within the lab revolves around the neuroscience of pain, particularly investigating how the central nervous system processes pain, with a special emphasis on eye pain and photophobia. Her work in this area seeks to unravel the intricate mechanisms that govern our perception of pain and its connection to the trigeminal system.
In 2021, Dr. Ortug's dedication and contributions were recognized as she received the American Association for Anatomy (AAA) Postdoctoral Fellowship. This award reflects her commitment to advancing the field of anatomy and neuroimaging.
Commitment to Collaboration
Creating a strong and diverse network of collaborators was something that Dr. Ortug’s father recommended early in her career. She joined multiple scientific associations in Europe and North America, but in attending meetings she began to feel at home, making her own way in the associations she once thought of as the realm of her father, “When I came into the meetings I started having a network and friends. This diverse group became part of mine”.
In addition to her membership with the American Association for Anatomy, Dr. Ortug is a member of several esteemed scientific organizations, including the Anatomische Gesellschaft, Turkish Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy Society, and the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. These affiliations reflect her commitment to staying connected with the broader scientific community and furthering the field of anatomy and neuroimaging.
In Dr. Alpen Ortug's winding road through the realms of genetics, anatomy, and neuroimaging, she has made significant contributions to our understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and the intricacies of pain processing in the central nervous system. Her journey is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary exploration and the pursuit of knowledge along uncharted paths. As she continues to pave the way for future discoveries, her work promises to have a lasting impact on the fields of anatomy and neuroimaging.
To learn more about Alpen Ortug and her work, visit her LinkedIn and follow her on Twitter.