<p>Prof. Dr. Cem Uzun is Chair of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye. He is the founder and first director of the Mirko Tos Ear and Hearing Research Center, reflecting his primary academic focus on otology, neurotology, hearing research, and cochlear implantation.</p> <p>Prof. Uzun has held numerous leadership roles in national and international professional organizations. He has served as General Secretary of the Balkan Association of ORL-HNS for over a decade and is a Council Member of the International Cochlear Implant Society, President-Elect of the Turkish Otology-Neurotology Society, and Co-President of the German-Turkish ORL-HNS Society. He previously represented the ORL section at the European Union of Medical Specialists and has led major national initiatives, including newborn hearing screening programs and cochlear implant councils.</p> <p>His academic contributions include more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, an H-index of 16, two patents, and four surgical techniques in otology and otoneurology. He has delivered over 250 invited lectures and instructional courses at international meetings and has organized numerous scientific events on otology, audiology, scientific writing, and publication ethics.</p> <p>Prof. Uzun is also active in scholarly publishing and research policy. He is Past President of the European Association of Science Editors, founding president of the Scholarly Publishing Society, and Editor-in-Chief of Balkan ORL-HNS. His EU-funded project received the EASE Best Initiative Award (2025). His honors include the AAO-HNSF Goodwill Ambassador Award, Fulbright Scholarship (University of Miami, Miami Ear Institute), Danish Government Scholarship (University of Copenhagen), and multiple national scientific awards.</p>

<p>She was born in Ankara in 1967. She graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, obtaining the title of Medical Doctor in 1991. In 1997, she completed her residency at the Department of Underwater Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine. She participated in a research project with a scholarship programme at the Department of Underwater Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine at Karolinska Hospital during her residency. Throughout her professional career, she obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration and gained experience in marketing and human resources in the pharmaceutical industry. She is a member of the Health Board of the World Confederation of Underwater Activities (CMAS) and an active member of the European and National Society of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, as well as the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation. In her medical field, she helped establish hyperbaric oxygen therapy centers at two clinics: one at the medical faculty and the other at the Ministry of Health hospital. She was also appointed as a medical consultant during the production phase of the pressure chambers intended for use in eight hyperbaric oxygen treatment centers established in state hospitals under the Ministry of Health. Additionally, she has served as a medical consultant for the world championship competitions in both indoor and outdoor freediving, organized by CMAS. For many years, she has been actively involved in inspecting hyperbaric oxygen treatment centers located in both hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health and private clinics. She continues her research and studies in Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, disseminating her findings across a wide range of platforms and disciplines. She has authored numerous publications on diving and hyperbaric medicine in ophthalmology, dentistry, diving health, plastic surgery, ear, nose, and throat, and chronic wound care. She has been lecturing and training residents in the department. Three physicians have graduated with a thesis under her guidance in this field. Furthermore, she has published numerous studies on injuries caused by marine animals. She continues her academic career at the University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye International Faculty of Medicine, and Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, where she is an Associate Professor.</p>

<p>Attending Surgeon, Santa Rosa Hospital, Viterbo - Italy</p> <p>General secretary of the Italian Ent Hospital Society (WWW.AOOI.It)</p>

<p>Prof. Mario Milkov, MD, PhD graduated from Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stojanov” – Varna in 1995.</p> <p>Since 2002, he has been a specialist in Otorhinolaryngology, Surgery of the Head and Neck. In 2005, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis related to modern ossicular prostheses.</p> <p>Main professional and scientific interests in the field of otology, neurotology, audio-vestibular medicine, biomaterials, sleep medicine, hearing prevention in newborns and early childhood. He holds a patent for the first Bulgarian ossicular prosthesis.</p> <p>He is the creator of the bulgarian society of “obstructive sleep apnea and snoring” in 2012. He proposes and creates together with colleagues from the Black Sea countries the “International Black Sea Otological and Neurootological Association“ in 2017.</p> <p>Prof. Mario Milkov is the Head of the Department “Dental materials science and prosthetic dental medicine” in Faculty of Dental medicine, Medical University – Varna.</p> <p>Since March 2024 is appointed as Vice-Rector for “International relations”, Medical University – Varna.</p> <p>He works at the “Audio-vestibular and sleep medicine” sector, University Medical and Dental Center.</p> <p>Prof. Milkov is the Chairperson of the “Alumni club and Friends” – Medical University – Varna.</p> <p>A corresponding academic member of national and international associations.</p> <p>Has more than 180 scientific publications. Participated in over 190 world and national congresses, symposiums, specialized courses.</p> <p>He has been the editor-in-chief of the journal „International Bulletin of Otorhinolaryngology“ since 2004. A member of the editorial board of five international medical journals in and other Bulgarian medical journals.</p>