The Operational Research Center in Healthcare (ORCH) at Near East University is dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes through the application of advanced decision-making methods and artificial intelligence. The center brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts from medicine, engineering, mathematics, economics and health sciences to address critical challenges in healthcare and environmental systems.
ORCH focuses on applying multi-criteria decision-making techniques and AI technologies to support more informed decision-making in clinical, operational, and policy settings. Its aim is to transform data into actionable insights for more efficient, sustainable, and effective healthcare delivery.
The mission of ORCH includes:
- Utilizing healthcare data to strengthen evidence-based decision-making.
- Enhancing service delivery through intelligent modeling and innovation.
- Promoting interdisciplinary research across health and technical sciences.
- Equipping professionals and institutions with practical decision-support tools.
- Advancing population and environmental health through integrated analytics.
Key objectives include:
- Designing and implementing AI-powered models for decision support in healthcare.
- Improving the cost-effectiveness, safety, and accessibility of diagnosis, treatments and technologies.
- Facilitating collaboration between health sciences, engineering, and data science.
- Minimizing preventable medical errors through data-informed systems.
- Informing public health strategies including pandemic response, vaccination planning, and healthcare system optimization.
With a focus on bridging research and application, ORCH contributes to impactful, real-world improvements in health systems and patient outcomes.
Board of Directors
- Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin (Director)
- Prof. Dr. Murat Sayan (Board Member)
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Özşahin (Board Member)
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Balcıoğlu (Board Member)
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berna Uzun (Board Member)
Faculty Members
- Prof. Dr. Yasir Waheed
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hijaz Ahmad
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huzaifa Umar
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sagiru Mati
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Tomiwa Sund Adebayo
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Meliz Yuvalı
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Mubarak Mustapha
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Abdullahi Garba Usman
- Asst. Prof. Dr Abubakar Adamu
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Auwalu Saleh Mubarak
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Zubaida Said Ameen
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Abraham Awosusi
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Basil Barth Duwa
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Efe Precious
- Dr. Aliyu Isa
- Dr. Humphrey Adun
- Dr. Umar Saeed
- Dr. Natacha Usanase
- Dr. Declan Ikechukwu Emegano
Programs Conducted by the Center
In line with the mission and vision of the center, the ORCH has actively contributed to academic training and interdisciplinary research. Since its establishment, many master’s and doctoral students have been involved in projects aligned with healthcare analytics, artificial intelligence, and decision-making models, in collaboration with various faculties at Near East University. Additionally, the center supports a dynamic post-doctoral program, fostering joint research, promoting interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary studies, and encouraging international academic cooperation in the fields of health sciences, data analytics, and applied mathematics.
Flagship Projects & Global Research Collaboration
The ORCH is actively engaged in pioneering international collaborations and innovation-driven research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, decision science, and healthcare. Below are some of our most impactful, interdisciplinary initiatives:
AI-Driven Innovation at CERN: Advancing High-Energy Physics
The ORCH has proudly positioned itself at the forefront of international research through its active collaboration with CERN, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific institutions. As part of the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) Experiment based in Geneva, Switzerland, ORCH researchers are contributing to the upgrade and performance optimization of particle detectors. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Kerem Cankocak, and Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin with the active participation of Dr. Efe Precious Onakpojeruo, the center plays a pivotal role in critical areas such as the development of the High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL), optical fiber splicing, electronic testing of hexaboards, and precision instrumentation.
In addition to hardware contributions, ORCH is utilizing advanced anomaly detection techniques powered by artificial intelligence and deep learning for real-time monitoring and fault prediction within the experimental setup. The center also contributes to the safe operation of the CMS facility by serving as technical shifters, ensuring continuous oversight and maintenance of high standards. Furthermore, ORCH is engaged in public science outreach at CERN’s Science Gateway and ELISA, supporting science education and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
Dr. Efe Precious Onakpojeruo contributing to CMS Experiment upgrades at CERN.
Combating Antifungal Resistance: AI-Based Detection of Candida auris
In response to the growing global threat posed by drug-resistant infections, ORCH has partnered with Cyprus International University and Gazi University on a cutting-edge research initiative addressing antifungal resistance. The focus of the project is the Candida auris fungus, a multidrug-resistant organism responsible for numerous hospital-acquired infections. Utilizing machine learning algorithms, the project aims to assess the sensitivity of C. auris to antifungal agents and support clinical decision-making processes through predictive modeling.
Supported by the Scientific Research Projects (BAP) program of Gazi University, this multidisciplinary collaboration brings together expertise in artificial intelligence, microbiology, and molecular diagnostics. Researchers from the Faculty of Medicine at Gazi University are providing advanced laboratory infrastructure including DNA/RNA analysis technologies, while the AI components and decision-tree development are being handled by experts from ORCH and CIU. This project stems from presentations made at the Turkish Microbiology Congress and demonstrates ORCH’s strong commitment to high-impact, translational research in healthcare.
DynareR: Enhancing Reproducible Econometric and Health Modeling in R
Another major achievement of ORCH is the development of the DynareR software package, an open-source R-based tool designed to support reproducible research in health operations and macroeconomics. Traditionally, researchers have relied on MATLAB or Octave to run dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) and overlapping generations (OLG) models using Dynare. However, incorporating outputs into reproducible documents has been error-prone and inefficient. To overcome these limitations, ORCH researchers created DynareR, which streamlines workflows and ensures research transparency.
This project is the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration among experts in economics, operations research, and computational modeling, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berna Uzun, Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin, Prof. Dr. İrfan Civcir, Asst. Prof. Dr. Sagiru Mati, Asst. Prof. Dr. Abdullahi G. Usman, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Sani I. Abba. The team has also conducted workshops and training sessions to support researchers globally in adopting reproducible modeling practices using R and DynareR, further amplifying the impact of the tool in both academic and policy research.
Selected Research Grants Led by Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin
Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin has led several prestigious research projects funded by the University of Sharjah, reflecting a strong commitment to medical innovation and sustainability:
- Operational Research and Integrated Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Principal Investigator. Aimed at developing integrated AI models for improving healthcare operations and decision-making. 2021-Current
- Application of Deep CNN in CBCT Imaging for Condylar Abnormalities Detection, Principal Investigator. Focused on applying deep convolutional neural networks to enhance diagnostic imaging. 2024- Current
- Inspired MCDM Tool for Prediction of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Principal Investigator. Developed an advanced multi-criteria decision-making tool for early breast cancer prediction. 2022-Current
- Smart Sustainable Cities, Group Member. Contributed AI expertise to smart environmental and urban planning models. 2022 -Current
- Smart Non-Invasive Asthma Monitoring Technology, Researcher. Supported development of real-time monitoring tools for asthma diagnosis and care. 2022- Current
- Center of Excellence for Public Health, Group Member, AI application for supporting Public Health, 2024– Current
- Sharjah Smart Center for Climate Resilience, Group Member, AI application and decision Making for management of Climate Resilience, 2024-Current
Scientific Events and Seminars
ORCH has hosted distinguished scientific events featuring leading experts in their fields.
ASET 2024 International Conference, Dubai:
ORCH actively participated in the prestigious ASET 2024 Conference held in Dubai, where Near East University researchers presented six cutting-edge studies in the fields of artificial intelligence, medical decision-making, and predictive healthcare analytics. Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin chaired a session and led collaborative presentations developed in partnership with the University of Sharjah. Topics included machine learning applications in cancer diagnostics, cardiovascular disease prediction, pandemic scenario modeling, and multi-criteria decision-making in medical imaging. The studies reflect ORCH’s strategic commitment to advancing global research excellence.
Near East University researchers at ASET 2024 Conference in Dubai, sharing AI and healthcare innovations.
Innovative Study on Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Presented at DUPHAT 2025
Utilizing an advanced fuzzy PROMETHEE multi-criteria decision-making approach, the study evaluated and ranked five FDA-approved pharmacological treatments for PIH, integrating perspectives from both patients and healthcare providers. The analysis identified hydralazine as the most preferred treatment from the patient viewpoint, while nicardipine was favored by hospital decision-makers.
Led by Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin, Director of ORCH, Dr. Leena R. David and Dr. Natacha Usanase, the research was a collaborative effort including key contributors from Near East University and the University of Sharjah. This work exemplifies ORCH’s commitment to applying innovative decision science methodologies to enhance clinical outcomes and healthcare decision-making globally.
Conference: “Dark Matter: The Invisible Power of the Universe“
Organized by the ORCH, this distinguished event featured Prof. Dr. İsa Dumanoğlu from CERN, one of the world’s leading experts in experimental high-energy physics and among the top 500 academicians globally. Prof. Dumanoğlu delivered an insightful keynote on the elusive nature of dark matter, shedding light on the latest advancements and discoveries at CERN. The conference attracted participants from diverse scientific disciplines and served as a platform to bridge high-energy physics with computational modeling and data science.
Group photo from the “Dark Matter” conference, July 2024.
Seminar: “Neurodegenerative Changes and Innovations in Imaging“
In this highly engaging seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Özşahin delivered a comprehensive presentation focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin, the session delved into the pathological mechanisms underlying nerve cell degeneration and explored state of the art imaging technologies for early detection and disease monitoring. The seminar also examined emerging trends in therapeutic interventions and predictive modeling, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue among neuroscientists, AI researchers, and healthcare professionals.
More Seminars organized by ORCH:
- Three-Body Problem and Climate Change (3 Cisim Problemi ve İklim Değişikliği), Speaker: Prof. Dr. Kerem Cankoçak, 4 July 2024 (SKA 4, SKA13)
- Global Climate Change: Current Status and Strategic Pathways to a Sustainable Future, Speaker: Dr. Humhrey Adun, 24 June, 2024
- A New Era in Vaccine Development: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Accelerate Vaccine Design Speakers: Yrd. Doç. Dr. Zubaida Said Ameen ve Yrd. Doç. Dr. Auwalu Saleh Mubarak, 30 July 2024
Strategic Partnership with Kosovo’s Ukshin Hoti University
In alignment with its internationalization strategy and commitment to collaborative science, Near East University signed a formal cooperation protocol with Ukshin Hoti University of Prizren, Kosovo.
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Rector of Near East University, signed a formal cooperation protocol with Ukshin Hoti University of Prizren in Kosovo.
As part of this agreement, the ORCH will play a central role in launching joint research initiatives, academic exchange programs, and interdisciplinary projects.
The partnership focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence, public health policy modeling, and multi-criteria decision-making techniques in addressing global healthcare challenges. It aims to promote capacity-building, co-authored publications, and research-led teaching between the institutions. This strategic collaboration not only enhances ORCH’s presence in Southeast Europe but also facilitates the exchange of innovative ideas and expertise across borders, further solidifying the center’s position as a regional hub for healthcare analytics and operational research.
Near East University ORCH’s Director Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin also participated in the partnership event as an invited speaker. During the ceremony, she was honored with an award for her contributions to healthcare research and international collaboration, reinforcing her leadership in global academic diplomacy.
Publication Performance of the ORCH
(As indexed in Scopus – Accessed July 2025)
The ORCH has demonstrated strong and consistent research output in the interdisciplinary fields of artificial intelligence, decision-making models, healthcare analytics, and applied mathematics.
Overview of Publications
- Total Publications Indexed in Scopus: 464 documents
- Article Types:
- 86% Full-length research articles
- 4.5% Book Chapters
- 3.9% Conference papers
The center’s scholarly output has substantially elevated the university’s research visibility and reinforced its position within international scientific communities.
Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin was recognized with three prestigious distinctions at Near East University in 2024: the Best Academic Performance Award, the Most Influential Researcher Award, and the Publication Honor Award, highlighting her exceptional achievements in academic excellence and research impact.
Research Center members receiving the Publication Honour Award in Science Awards 2025 celebrating their outstanding scholarly contributions in 2024.
Research Center members with Awards, celebrating their outstanding scholarly contributions.
Recipient of the Near East University Best Academic Performance Award (2025), Assoc. Prof. Dr Hijaz Ahmad, recognized for outstanding academic achievements.
Distinguished Achievements and Global Recognition of ORCH Members
The ORCH is proud to be home to a distinguished team of researchers whose groundbreaking work has garnered international recognition and impact across various disciplines.
- Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin, Director of ORCH, has been recognized as one of the World’s Top 2% Most Cited Scientists for the year 2024, according to Stanford University Rankings. Her pioneering contributions to biomedical decision-making, artificial intelligence, and sustainable healthcare systems have earned widespread acclaim. In 2025, she was also honored with the Best Researcher Award by the University of Sharjah. She is further credited for playing a central role in ORCH’s global collaborations, academic mentorship, and development of strategic research frameworks.
- Together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Özşahin and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berna Uzun, she has edited and co-authored several seminal books, including:
- Applied Machine Learning and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making in Healthcare
- Modern Practical Healthcare Issues in Biomedical Instrumentation
- Decision Analysis Applied to the Field of Environmental Health
These works represent significant advancements in the fields of AI, decision sciences, and environmental health analytics, reinforcing the leadership of ORCH in translational healthcare research.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hijaz Ahmad, a faculty member at ORCH, was ranked #2 in Cyprus and recognized as the Top Researcher at Near East University in the field of Mathematics in the 2024 Edition of Research.com’s Ranking of Best Scientists. He was also named among the World’s Top 2% Most Cited Scientists for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Stanford University. His extensive work in mathematical modeling, infectious disease dynamics, and health analytics has positioned him as a global thought leader in epidemiological research and mathematical biology.
- In a significant interdisciplinary collaboration, ORCH researcher Dr. Humphrey Adun contributed to a high-impact study published in Nature Communications alongside teams from Tianjin University and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. The research highlights potential environmental and socio-economic risks of over-reliance on Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies, cautioning against their unchecked use due to possible impacts on land, water, and food security. This study underscores the center’s engagement in critical global sustainability challenges, further elevating its international research profile.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Özşahin and colleagues contributed to a landmark global study on childhood immunization coverage, published in The Lancet (Impact Factor~88.5, 2024). This work has profound implications for public health policy, addressing vaccination gaps and guiding interventions worldwide to improve child survival rates and disease prevention strategies.
Media and Altmetric Highlights
ORCH research has received exceptional attention from global media and academic platforms:
- Altmetric Top 5% Recognition (2025): A scholarly op-ed based on Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin’s groundbreaking research at ORCH ranked in the top 5% of all research outputs tracked by Altmetric. Altmetric Link – Prostate Cancer Study
- Media Feature & Environmental Sciences Europe Ranking (2025): The article “Exploring the Role of ICT Adoption Technologies and Renewable Energy Consumption in Achieving a Sustainable Environment in the United States: An SDGs-Based Policy Framework” was ranked in the 93rd percentile overall and 88th percentile within Environmental Sciences Europe, and was prominently featured on MSN and other platforms. Altmetric Link – ICT & Environment Study
- Viral Media Coverage (2024): An op-ed based on the research led by Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin on the promising effects of Siris tree leaves in preventing breast cancer spread achieved widespread media attention with over 30 international appearances, including Phys.org, MSN, Google News, Reddit, and others, and was shared nearly 100 times. Link – Breast Cancer Study
ORCH members have also been honored with prestigious institutional award Best Researcher Award from the University of Sharjah June 2025.
Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özşahin receiving the Best Researcher Award from the University of Sharjah, June 2025.
Contact Us
For general inquiries or to request further information about the ORCH, please email us at: sagliktayoneylem.merkezi@neu.edu.tr