Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I was born in Ankara, the capital city of Turkiye. I graduated from Ankara University School of Medicine. I completed my specialist training in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the same University in 1991 and joined the faculty of Ankara University in 1996 as an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and have been living in Ankara since then.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I worked as a visiting observer(as an Associate professor) in Division of Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery under the supervision of John James Klutke in Keck School of Medicine, USC, LA, USA between 2002-2003 while attending the fellowship program for “Teaching & Learning” and “ Educational Leadership” in Division of Medical Education in Keck School of Medicine as a scholar of ECFMG/FAIMER for one year. I have been serving as a Chief Professor at the section of Gynecology & Urogynecology in the Department of Ob & Gyn in Ankara University School of Medicine, since 2004. I am the member of many national and international societies, including Turkish Society of Urogynecology & Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery(TUPRA), Turkish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Turkish Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy, EUGA, IUGA, ICS and Mediterranean Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Society (MIPS) and currently serving as the President of TUPRA and as the Executive Board Member and Chair of the Education Committe of MIPS. I also lead the initiation of the first Urogynecology Doctorate Program which complies with Bologna process (Education language; English) in Turkiye since 2018.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

After I have attended the Urogynecology Congress in Chicago in 2008. I impressed very much and decided to become the member of an International Urogynecology Society in order to improving my networking with all healthcare providers across the world, who are interested in the same field.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

All the IUGA congresses I went to, were inspiring and broadening one's horizons in every sense, but it was different and memorable for me to be involved in the organization of an IUGA exchange meeting in Turkiye which was held in İstanbul and was ended successfully.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

The most impressive book for me was "The Brain; the story of you" The writer who is a a famous Neuroscientist, David Eagleman will take you into your inner cosmos.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Reading, skiing, music and spending the rest of the time with my grand-daughter.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

Not only mine but also my daughter's and my grand daughter's names are flowers names.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I currently live in London, UK. I moved here to start my training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and have stayed to undertake further research in the field of Urogynaecology.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am currently a clinical research fellow at University College London Hospital's Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Unit. I started this post after five years of general O+G training and I am registered as a doctoral student at University College London where I am completing an MD thesis looking at the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA in 2015 when I was working for Professor Linda Cardozo at King's College Hospital. She hugely inspired me to take interest in the field and IUGA offered an opportunity to do this on an international level with exposure to the frontiers of pelvic floor medicine and surgery.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Nice, France, IUGA meeting 2015. My first IUGA exposure, lucky enough to present some work and I met lots of wonderful people while enjoying some great food and socializing.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

The Universe in Your Hand by Christophe Galfard. An exceptionally humbling read.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Travelling, cooking, and eating.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

San Diego, California, USA. My husband was stationed here in 1995 and I came to do my residency. Fell in love with the location and the work environment and stayed for fellowship training and as faculty.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences. I am Division Director and Fellowship Program Director for Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery at UC San Diego. I began my residency in OB/GYN here at UC San Diego in 1996 and fellowship training in 2000.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I have been a member for over 15 years and attended my first meeting in Florence, Italy. I enjoy meeting other members and hearing the science and practice patterns around the country.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

Working with the Fellows Research Program as an advisor and mentor.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

Moonlight - Fantastic

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Cooking, travel, and spending time with friends.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

I love fantasy football (American football)

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I live in Boston, MA. I moved here with my family in 2011 because it is a great cosmopolitan city, and Massachusetts has the second largest Armenian community in America.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am the chief of Urogynecology at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. I have held this position since 2011. I am interested in clinical and epidemiologic research in our field.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I have been a member of IUGA for about 18 years now.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

The IUGA meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina in early 2000's.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

Book: Russka, by Edward Rutherford.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Family, swimming, Armenia, friends.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

Meeting and getting to know people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I live in a small rural community located in a beautiful landscape and surrounded by fields. It is a 20-minute drive from the city of Beer Sheva where the hospital where work is located. Soroka University Medical Center is a large university hospital serving the entire population in the Negev, the southern region of Israel.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I am the chief of the Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Medicine services at the Soroka University Medical Center. I am a consultant, work in the Gynecology and Maternity ward and run the Urogynecological Clinic and the perineal clinic that treats women who have undergone OASIS. I am an Associate Professor of medicine at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA towards the end of my residency when I decided I was interested in a sub-specialty in Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Medicine.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

I fondly remember the IUGA conference in Nice, France. There I attended the Fellow's Day and presented research papers. I also remember fondly the IUGA conference in Nashville, Tennessee, USA were I had the opportunity to mingle and make meaningful connections with colleagues from around the world and have really enjoyed it there.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

One of my favorite books of all times is The Physician by Noah Gordon. I highly recommend it to everyone and especially to those who are fond of historical novels.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy listening to podcasts on a wide variety of topics. I love traveling in Israel and around the world. I enjoy spending time with family and good friends, I enjoy reading and watching series on Netflix.

What is one "fun fact" about you?

I jumped a bungee jump from 110 meters and survived to tell about it.