Since ancient times, İzmir has been an important medical center. As the first health-themed university in the Aegean Region, İzmir Tınaztepe University (İZTÜ) established its first research center focused on life sciences and health: the “İZTÜ Galen Research Center.” Founded under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Mehmet Öztürk and Prof. Dr. Neşe Atabey, the center officially began operations on September 9, 2021.
The strategic priorities of the İZTÜ Galen Research Center include excellence in translational research in life sciences and health and the development of innovative medical technologies. The name “Galen” reflects the combination of the “creativity” of fundamental sciences and the “experience” of applied sciences.
Galen, one of the pioneers of medicine and pharmacy, was born in Bergama, İzmir (129–216 AD). He later worked in Rome and is among the most prominent scientists from İzmir. Known in different languages as Claude Galen, Galenos, Galenus, and Calinus, he was a physician, scientist, and philosopher. Galen is considered the founder of experimental physiology and the first sports physician in the Roman world. He also developed new theories in pharmacology, and his principles are still taught today in modern pharmacy faculties under the course “Galenics.”