Zeynep Erson Omay, PhD
Assistant ProfessorCards
Appointments
Contact Info
Neurosurgery
300 Cedar St, , TAC Building
New Haven, CT 06510
United States
About
Titles
Assistant Professor
Biography
Dr. Erson Omay is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Informatics and Data Science. Following the completion of her Ph.D. in Computer Science at Case Western Reserve University, she transitioned to Yale, where she served as a postdoctoral researcher in GunelLab within the Department of Neurosurgery. There, she conducted bioinformatic analyses for brain tumor genomics projects. Since assuming the role of Assistant Professor in 2020 within the same department, Dr. Erson Omay has expanded her research projects to the application of integrative methods for studying multi-level, multi-omic datasets. Her primary focus lies in understanding tumor heterogeneity, investigating rare subtypes, and elucidating the molecular mechanisms of poorly understood central nervous system (CNS) tumors.
Dr. Erson Omay plays a key role in the computational analysis arm of the Precision Medicine initiative in the Department of Neurosurgery. Actively engaged in exploring the application of computational methods, her focus is on advancing personalized approaches for primary brain tumors. With a commitment to collaboration, she actively seeks partnerships both within and beyond the medical school, aspiring to apply her computational expertise to enhance the molecular characterization of diverse disease types.
Appointments
Neurosurgery
Assistant ProfessorPrimaryBiomedical Informatics & Data Science
Assistant ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- Case Western Reserve Univ, Computer Science (2011)
- MS
- Bilkent University, Computer Science (2005)
- BS
- Bilkent University, Computer Science (2003)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
- View Lab Website
Erson Lab
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Murat Günel, MD, FACS, FAHA, FAANS
Kaya Bilguvar, MD, PhD
Katsuhito Yasuno, PhD
Sacit Bulent Omay, MD, FAANS
Ketu Mishra-Gorur, MSc, MS, PhD
Anita Huttner, MD
Genomics
Meningioma
Glioblastoma
Epigenomics
Transcriptome
Central Nervous System Neoplasms
Publications
Featured Publications
Genomic profiling of sporadic multiple meningiomas
Erson-Omay EZ, Vetsa S, Vasandani S, Barak T, Nadar A, Marianayagam NJ, Yalcin K, Miyagishima D, Aguilera SM, Robert S, Mishra-Gorur K, Fulbright RK, McGuone D, Günel M, Moliterno J. Genomic profiling of sporadic multiple meningiomas. BMC Medical Genomics 2022, 15: 112. PMID: 35568945, PMCID: PMC9107270, DOI: 10.1186/s12920-022-01258-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsGrade IComprehensive next-generation sequencingMonoclonal originClinical management strategiesPrior radiation exposureRelevant clinical dataMajority of tumorsInter-tumoral heterogeneitySurgical resectionClinical behaviorGrade IIClinical dataFamily historyMultiple meningiomasGrade I.Same patientMonoclonal expansionPatientsClonal formationBilateral meningiomasMeningiomasIndividual tumorsTumorsPatient behavesGenomic profilingGenomic Analysis of Non-NF2 Meningiomas Reveals Mutations in TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO
Clark VE, Erson-Omay EZ, Serin A, Yin J, Cotney J, Özduman K, Avşar T, Li J, Murray PB, Henegariu O, Yilmaz S, Günel JM, Carrión-Grant G, Yılmaz B, Grady C, Tanrıkulu B, Bakırcıoğlu M, Kaymakçalan H, Caglayan AO, Sencar L, Ceyhun E, Atik AF, Bayri Y, Bai H, Kolb LE, Hebert RM, Omay SB, Mishra-Gorur K, Choi M, Overton JD, Holland EC, Mane S, State MW, Bilgüvar K, Baehring JM, Gutin PH, Piepmeier JM, Vortmeyer A, Brennan CW, Pamir MN, Kılıç T, Lifton RP, Noonan JP, Yasuno K, Günel M. Genomic Analysis of Non-NF2 Meningiomas Reveals Mutations in TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO. Science 2013, 339: 1077-1080. PMID: 23348505, PMCID: PMC4808587, DOI: 10.1126/science.1233009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overBrain NeoplasmsChromosomes, Human, Pair 22DNA Mutational AnalysisFemaleGenes, Neurofibromatosis 2Genomic InstabilityGenomicsHumansKruppel-Like Factor 4Kruppel-Like Transcription FactorsMaleMeningeal NeoplasmsMeningiomaMiddle AgedMutationNeoplasm GradingProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktReceptors, G-Protein-CoupledSmoothened ReceptorTumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and ProteinsSomatic POLE mutations cause an ultramutated giant cell high-grade glioma subtype with better prognosis
Erson-Omay EZ, Çağlayan AO, Schultz N, Weinhold N, Omay SB, Özduman K, Köksal Y, Li J, Serin Harmancı A, Clark V, Carrión-Grant G, Baranoski J, Çağlar C, Barak T, Coşkun S, Baran B, Köse D, Sun J, Bakırcıoğlu M, Moliterno Günel J, Pamir MN, Mishra-Gorur K, Bilguvar K, Yasuno K, Vortmeyer A, Huttner AJ, Sander C, Günel M. Somatic POLE mutations cause an ultramutated giant cell high-grade glioma subtype with better prognosis. Neuro-Oncology 2015, 17: 1356-1364. PMID: 25740784, PMCID: PMC4578578, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nov027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHigh-grade gliomasSomatic POLE mutationsPOLE mutationsMalignant high-grade gliomasLonger progression-free survivalProgression-free survivalSomatic mutationsOverall survivalPediatric patientsBetter prognosisClinical featuresImproved prognosisClinical behaviorImmune cellsBizarre cellsAggressive formGlioblastoma multiformeDisease pathophysiologyMolecular subgroupsHomozygous germline mutationGermline mutationsPrognosisGlioma subtypesComprehensive genomic analysisDistinct subgroupsLongitudinal analysis of treatment-induced genomic alterations in gliomas
Erson-Omay EZ, Henegariu O, Omay SB, Harmancı AS, Youngblood MW, Mishra-Gorur K, Li J, Özduman K, Carrión-Grant G, Clark VE, Çağlar C, Bakırcıoğlu M, Pamir MN, Tabar V, Vortmeyer AO, Bilguvar K, Yasuno K, DeAngelis LM, Baehring JM, Moliterno J, Günel M. Longitudinal analysis of treatment-induced genomic alterations in gliomas. Genome Medicine 2017, 9: 12. PMID: 28153049, PMCID: PMC5290635, DOI: 10.1186/s13073-017-0401-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAntineoplastic AgentsChromosome AberrationsCombined Modality TherapyDisease ProgressionDNA Mismatch RepairDNA Mutational AnalysisDNA, NeoplasmExomeFemaleGeneral SurgeryGenome, HumanGenomicsGlioblastomaHumansImmunotherapyLongitudinal StudiesMiddle AgedMutationNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalPrecision MedicineRadiotherapyTreatment OutcomeConceptsWhole-exome sequencingMismatch repair deficiencyImmune checkpoint inhibitionMalignant brain tumorsMolecular changesLongitudinal analysisMedian survivalCheckpoint inhibitionSubsequent recurrenceMaximal resectionStandard treatmentBackgroundGlioblastoma multiformeBrain tumorsTumor-normal pairsFavorable responsePrimary GBMIndividual tumorsConclusionsOur studyPrecision therapyPersonalized treatmentGenomic profilingRepair deficiencyGenomic alterationsGenomic profilesTherapyHypermutated phenotype in gliosarcoma of the spinal cord
Hong CS, Kuzmik GA, Kundishora AJ, Elsamadicy AA, Koo AB, McGuone D, Blondin NA, DiLuna ML, Erson-Omay EZ. Hypermutated phenotype in gliosarcoma of the spinal cord. Npj Precision Oncology 2021, 5: 8. PMID: 33580181, PMCID: PMC7881101, DOI: 10.1038/s41698-021-00143-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsSpinal cordWhole-exome sequencingLow-grade brain gliomasVariant of glioblastomaLow-grade gliomasTumor anteriorAdjuvant radiationNeurological deficitsSomatic single nucleotide variationsPoor prognosisGrade gliomasTemozolomide treatmentBrain gliomasGliosarcomaMicrosatellite stabilityCordSomatic mutationsHypermutator phenotypeGliomasComprehensive genetic characterizationGenomic mechanismsSingle nucleotide variationsPhenotypeFirst reportPathway genesGenetic characterization of an aggressive optic nerve pilocytic glioma
Hong CS, Fliney G, Fisayo A, An Y, Gopal PP, Omuro A, Pointdujour-Lim R, Erson-Omay EZ, Omay SB. Genetic characterization of an aggressive optic nerve pilocytic glioma. Brain Tumor Pathology 2020, 38: 59-63. PMID: 33098465, PMCID: PMC7585354, DOI: 10.1007/s10014-020-00383-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsOptic nerve gliomaLeft optic nerve sheathLeft-sided visual lossSporadic adult casesOptic nerve sheathNeurofibromatosis type 1 syndromeType 1 syndromeWhole-exome sequencingEmpiric managementVisual lossFocal radiotherapyOptic nervePediatric populationNerve sheathOpen biopsyAdult casesBiopsy specimenBenign histopathologyClinical prognosticationPilocytic astrocytomaComplex tumorsActionable targetsVisual pathwayAdult populationTumor progression
2024
Variations in the genomic profiles and clinical behavior of meningioma by racial and ethnic group.
Tabor J, Dincer A, O'Brien J, Lei H, Vetsa S, Vasandani S, Jalal M, Yalcin K, Morales-Valero S, Marianayagam N, Alanya H, Elsamadicy A, Millares Chavez M, Aguilera S, Mishra-Gorur K, McGuone D, Fulbright R, Jin L, Erson-Omay E, Günel M, Moliterno J. Variations in the genomic profiles and clinical behavior of meningioma by racial and ethnic group. Journal Of Neurosurgery 2024, 141: 664-672. PMID: 38518289, DOI: 10.3171/2024.1.jns231633.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsBlack patientsSporadic meningiomasClinical outcomesGenomic profilingClinical behavior of meningiomasShorter progression-free survivalAnterior skull base tumorsClinical data of patientsHispanic patientsProgression-free survivalChromosome 1p deletionBehavior of meningiomasIncreased recurrence rateRate of recurrenceSkull base tumorsData of patientsSomatic driver mutationsNon-Black patientsShorter PFSOverall survivalAggressive meningiomasTRAF7 mutationsIntracranial meningiomasMeningioma resectionNon-black group
2023
Application of novel PACS-based informatics platform to identify imaging based predictors of CDKN2A allelic status in glioblastomas
Tillmanns N, Lost J, Tabor J, Vasandani S, Vetsa S, Marianayagam N, Yalcin K, Erson-Omay E, von Reppert M, Jekel L, Merkaj S, Ramakrishnan D, Avesta A, de Oliveira Santo I, Jin L, Huttner A, Bousabarah K, Ikuta I, Lin M, Aneja S, Turowski B, Aboian M, Moliterno J. Application of novel PACS-based informatics platform to identify imaging based predictors of CDKN2A allelic status in glioblastomas. Scientific Reports 2023, 13: 22942. PMID: 38135704, PMCID: PMC10746716, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48918-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsInformatics platformDeep learning algorithmsImaging featuresCDKN2A alterationsLearning algorithmHeterozygous lossHomozygous deletionLarge datasetsDeep white matter invasionGBM molecular subtypesNew informaticsQualitative imaging biomarkersWhole-exome sequencingQualitative imaging featuresGBM resectionRadiographic evidenceWorse prognosisPACSMolecular subtypesPial invasionImaging biomarkersCDKN2A mutationsAllele statusNoninvasive identificationMagnetic resonance imagesThrombocyte-derived Dickkopf1 promotes macrophage polarization in the Bleomycin-induced lung injury model
Sung E, Park M, Song S, Alanya H, Henegariu O, Liu J, Erson-Omay E, Sime P, Chae W. Thrombocyte-derived Dickkopf1 promotes macrophage polarization in the Bleomycin-induced lung injury model. Frontiers In Immunology 2023, 14: 1247330. PMID: 38162655, PMCID: PMC10757334, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1247330.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsLung injury modelMacrophage polarizationTissue repair processInjury modelMonocyte-derived alveolar macrophagesInjury-induced inflammationTissue repairRepair processRole of WntGene expression profilesImmunomodulatory roleIL-13Tissue injuryImmune responseInflammationCollagen depositionAlveolar macrophagesMacrophagesTissue homeostasisProtein expressionGene expressionRegulatory ligandsExpression profilesWnt antagonist Dickkopf1Dickkopf1Mutation of key signaling regulators of cerebrovascular development in vein of Galen malformations
Zhao S, Mekbib K, van der Ent M, Allington G, Prendergast A, Chau J, Smith H, Shohfi J, Ocken J, Duran D, Furey C, Hao L, Duy P, Reeves B, Zhang J, Nelson-Williams C, Chen D, Li B, Nottoli T, Bai S, Rolle M, Zeng X, Dong W, Fu P, Wang Y, Mane S, Piwowarczyk P, Fehnel K, See A, Iskandar B, Aagaard-Kienitz B, Moyer Q, Dennis E, Kiziltug E, Kundishora A, DeSpenza T, Greenberg A, Kidanemariam S, Hale A, Johnston J, Jackson E, Storm P, Lang S, Butler W, Carter B, Chapman P, Stapleton C, Patel A, Rodesch G, Smajda S, Berenstein A, Barak T, Erson-Omay E, Zhao H, Moreno-De-Luca A, Proctor M, Smith E, Orbach D, Alper S, Nicoli S, Boggon T, Lifton R, Gunel M, King P, Jin S, Kahle K. Mutation of key signaling regulators of cerebrovascular development in vein of Galen malformations. Nature Communications 2023, 14: 7452. PMID: 37978175, PMCID: PMC10656524, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43062-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsEphrin receptor B4Galen malformationBrain arteriovenous malformationsP120 RasGAPTransmitted variantsArteriovenous malformationsDe novo variantsSingle-cell transcriptomesSignificant burdenCerebrovascular developmentIntegrative genomic analysisEndothelial cellsVenous networkAdditional probandsMalformationsNovo variantsMissense variantsGenomic analysisDevelopmental angiogenesisVascular developmentDamaging variantsVeinRasGAPIntegrated analysisPatients
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
honor 10x Genomics 2021 Pilot Award
Other Award10x GenomicsDetails02/02/2022United Stateshonor Mission Bio Tapestri Grant
Other AwardMission BioDetails01/01/2022United Stateshonor Case Western Reserve University, Research ShowCASE-Best Poster Award
Other AwardCase Western Reserve UniversityDetails05/15/2007United States
News
News
- May 28, 2021
Recent Research Sheds Light on Link Between Meningiomas and Seizures
- March 11, 2021
Case Study of Rare Nervous System Tumor Reveals Hypermutation
- April 19, 2019Source: Women in Tech Spring Event at Case Western Reserve University
Women in Tech
- February 14, 2017
Genome analysis helps keep deadly brain cancer at bay for five years
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Neurosurgery
300 Cedar St, , TAC Building
New Haven, CT 06510
United States