İstinye University Faculty of Medicine’s Order of Science was presented to Prof. Dr. Michael Lim, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University, who is renowned for his pioneering work in neurosurgery and oncology. Prof. Dr. Michael Lim, who attended the award ceremony held on November 8 at the İstinye University Vadi Main Campus Congress Center stated: "I am deeply honored to receive this award from İstinye University. It is inspiring to get to know your esteemed faculty and university and to witness your enthusiasm for medicine and science."
İstinye University presented the Order of Science, awarded to honor prominent scientists, to Prof. Dr. Michael Lim, a pioneering figure in the field of brain surgery and oncology, acknowledged for his innovative work both in the United States and worldwide. During the ceremony, which took place on November 8, 2024, at the Vadi Campus Congress Center, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Türker Kılıç and Rector Prof. Dr. Erkan İbiş delivered inaugural speeches. Prof. Dr. Türker Kılıç emphasized the importance of training scientists who are also doctors, stating: "If you train a good physician, you can heal today’s patients. If you train a good scientist, you discover cures for the diseases of tomorrow."
"We aim to raise exceptional 'scientist-physicians'"
Prof. Dr. Türker Kılıç highlighted that the Order of Science is awarded to those who are not only good scientists but also excellent role models for students. Dr. Kılıç stated: "The term 'exceptional' represents becoming exceptional at one's profession as well as becoming an exceptional person. İstinye University Faculty of Medicine aims to raise doctors who embrace the principles of medicine for humanity, technology for humanity, and healthcare for humanity; who have the potential to combine scientific research methodology with practical skills and creativity. We invite outstanding scientists to our country and honor them for their innovative work. Therefore, we have decided to present the 2024 Science Badge to Dr. Michael Lim."
"Prof. Dr. Lim is a world leader in immunotherapy for brain tumors"
During his time at Johns Hopkins, Prof. Dr. Lim established one of the largest brain tumor and trigeminal neuralgia clinics and utilized the most advanced surgical technologies for his patients. Prioritizing patient experience, he earned the admiration of colleagues and patients for his integrity and compassionate care, receiving the Service Excellence Award from the Health Network Foundation. Dr. Lim is a world leader in immunotherapy for brain tumors. Lim has received invitations to deliver conferences and seminars worldwide and has given platform presentations on brain tumor immunotherapy, neurosurgical techniques, and management of brain tumors at various meetings, including those organized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, the North American Radiology Association, the Annual Brain and Spine Metastasis Symposium, the Neurological Surgeons Congress, and others. He also served as the platform chair for the CNS session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference.
"As a rising University in international rankings, we are expanding our international collaborations"
In his speech, İstinye University Rector Prof. Dr. Erkan İbiş emphasized the significance of such international collaborations for the advancement of İstinye University. Faculty members, students, and guests attended the award ceremony.
İstinye University Board of Trustees Chairman Muharrem Usta said, "Our responsibility is to lay a strong foundation for our university and leave a significant legacy for the future. As a relatively young university, I am impressed with the progress we have made so far. Forging international collaborations with pioneering scientists and academics, we aim to become a university that cultivates outstanding knowledge."
"The seeds for the cures of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart attacks are in your minds"
After receiving the İstinye University Order of Science, Prof. Dr. Michael Lim shared insights from his research, and treatment processes. Dr. Lim stated: "I am truly honored to receive this award from İstinye University. Getting to know your esteemed faculty and witnessing your enthusiasm for medicine and science is truly inspiring." As a scientist and surgeon, he shared his approach to neurosurgery, oncology, and neuroscience, as well as profound instances of his compassionate approach towards patients. He addressed the İstinye University students with the words: "The seeds for the cures of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart attacks, along with all the new discoveries and approaches in science and technology, are in your minds."
"There will be times in your career, when you hear the word 'no,' you will have to keep persisting for your patients"
In his speech titled "A Journey of Return: From Labs to Clinics, and Back to Labs," Prof. Dr. Michael Lim conveyed the importance of combining research and clinical practice to aspiring physician-scientists. Glioblastoma tumors have the highest metastatic potential, and Prof. Dr. Lim’s immunotherapy method works by utilizing the patient's immune system to destroy cancer cells. Clinical trials and research he has conducted with drugs like Anti-PD1 underline the true significance of the scientist-physician role in the field of cancer treatments. Prof. Dr. Lim also spoke about the challenges he faced while conducting clinical trials with glioblastoma patients, concluding: “There will be times in your career, when you hear the word 'no,' you will have to keep persisting for your patients."
This collaboration between İstinye University and Stanford University in the field of R&D provides significant opportunities for growth both in terms of research and clinical trials.
