Nihat Zafer Utkan

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About

Nihat Zafer Utkan is a pioneering researcher in surgical education and cognitive neuroscience, whose work bridges the gap between advanced surgical technologies and human performance. His primary research areas include robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), laparoscopic training methodologies, and the neural correlates of surgical skill acquisition. Utkan’s most notable contribution is his groundbreaking 2025 study, “Comparing Behavioral and Neural Activity Changes During Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery Trainings,” which has already garnered 4 citations. In this work, he measured prefrontal cortex hemodynamic activity in general surgery residents to compare cognitive workload levels during robotic and laparoscopic tasks, using metrics such as peg transfer time and oxygen changes. This research provides critical insights into how different surgical platforms affect mental effort and learning efficiency, offering evidence-based guidance for optimizing training curricula. Utkan’s innovative integration of functional near-infrared spectroscopy with surgical simulation has positioned him as a leading voice in understanding the neural underpinnings of surgical expertise. His work not only advances the science of surgical education but also has direct implications for improving patient safety and training outcomes in minimally invasive surgery.