About
Who is Prof. Dr. Mert Erkan?
Prof. Dr. Mert Erkan graduated from Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in 1995 and completed his specialization in General Surgery at the same institution in 2001. Between 2003 and 2007, he worked at Heidelberg University in Germany, where he completed his doctoral studies in molecular biology with a dissertation on pancreatic cancer, graduating with the highest academic distinction, “summa cum laude.”
Between 2007 and 2014, he worked at the Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, where he successively held the titles of Senior Consultant (Oberarzt), Associate Professor of General Surgery, and Head of the Pancreatic Surgery Department. In 2010, he completed advanced subspecialty training in digestive system surgery in Germany.
Returning to Turkey in 2014, Prof. Dr. Erkan has since continued his work in the fields of liver, bile duct, and pancreatic (HPB) surgery, as well as translational cancer research. In addition to his clinical experience in surgery, he also conducts scientific research on the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer, cancer stem cells, and hydatid disease.
To date, he has received independent research funding totaling €1,150,550 from international sources, including the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the German Research Foundation (DFG), and the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme. In Turkey, he has received independent research support exceeding TRY 6,000,000, including projects funded by TÜBİTAK. He has served as a principal investigator and co-investigator in two separate TÜBİTAK 1003 projects.
His academic work, primarily focusing on the biology of pancreatic cancer, has been reflected in numerous high-impact publications. As of 2025, he has authored more than 110 international publications, received over 11,500 citations, and has an H-index of 59.
Prof. Dr. Erkan has been elected as the President of the international congress to be organized by the European Digestive Surgery (EDS) Association in Istanbul in 2025. In addition, he has assumed the role of Congress Secretary for the 58th Meeting of the European Pancreas Club, which will be held in Istanbul in 2026. Previously, he actively served on the Program Committee (2016–2020), the Scientific and Research Committee (2017–2021), and the Terminology Committee (2021–present) under the auspices of the EAHPBA.
Prof. Dr. Mert Erkan, who currently continues his academic duties as a faculty member at Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University and his clinical and research work as a Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgeon at Acıbadem Ataşehir Hospital, was included in the “World’s Most Influential Scientists” list published by Stanford University and Elsevier in January 2024.
Professional Experience
Prof. Dr. Mert Erkan has extensive experience in general surgery, HPB (liver, pancreas, and bile duct) surgery, and pancreatic cancer research, having worked for many years at leading university hospitals both in Turkey and internationally.
Acıbadem Healthcare Group
2021- Present
Prof. Dr. Mert Erkan continues his clinical practice within Acıbadem Healthcare Group, where he is involved in the surgical treatment of liver, pancreatic, and bile duct diseases.
Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University – Istanbul
2021
He provided scientific consultancy and academic contributions at a center conducting clinical and experimental research on pancreatic cancer.
Koç University School of Medicine
2014 – 2021
As a Professor of General Surgery, he contributed to the education of medical students and performed advanced HPB surgical procedures.
Koç University School of Medicine Research Laboratory
2014 – 2021
He conducted research on pancreatic tumor biology and tumor microsystems at the molecular level.
Koç University Translational Medicine Research Center (KUTTAM)
2017 – 2021
He was involved in the development of innovative, patient-oriented treatment approaches bridging laboratory research and clinical practice.
Koç University Institute of Health Sciences
2017 – 2021
He provided academic supervision for master’s and doctoral theses of graduate students.
Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar & Pancreatic Research Center – Germany
2003 – 2007
In addition to HPB surgical practice, he conducted laboratory research focused on pancreatic cancer and was part of one of Germany’s leading pancreatic research teams.
Heidelberg University & European Pancreas Research Center – Germany
2001 – 2003
During his PhD training, he conducted experimental research on the microenvironment of pancreatic tumors.
Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine – HPB Surgery Unit
2001 – 2003
During the post-specialization period, he was involved in surgical procedures of the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts.
Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
1995 – 2001
He completed his medical education and subsequent General Surgery residency training at this institution.
Memberships
- European Digestive Surgery/ EDS 2003-
- The European Consortium on Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery
- İstanbul Tabip Odası 1995-2021
- Europan/African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Scientific and Research Committee Member: 2014 – Halen / Program committee: 2015 – 2019 / Pancreatic terminology committee founding member 2021 –
- Bursa Tabip Odası 2021
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie (DGAV) 2007 – 2014
- European Pancreatic-Club/ EPC 2003-
- Deutscher Pankreas-Club/ DPC 2003-
- Türk Hepato-Pankreato-Biliyer Cerrahi Derneği: 1998 Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi: 2015-2017
- International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA) 2001-
- International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) 2003-