Atalay Demiray, MD, MSc

Physician · Decision Scientist
PhD Candidate at Yale

Atalay Demiray, MD, MSc · PhD candidate, Health Policy and Management (Economics Track), Yale University

New Haven, CT, USA · atalay.demiray@yale.edu · ORCID · LinkedIn · Google Scholar

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Education

Yale University — New Haven, CT, USA PhD in Health Policy and Management (Economics Track) · PhD candidate · Expected August 2028

Erasmus University Rotterdam — Rotterdam, the Netherlands MSc in Health Economics, Policy & Law · Completed July 2023 Thesis: Regulation of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: Upholding Public Health — Awarded Thesis of the Year

Koç University — Istanbul, Türkiye Doctor of Medicine (MD) · Completed July 2022 · Graduated with distinction, ranking third in the class

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science — Rochester, MN, USA Visiting Medical Student Clerkships in Cardiovascular Medicine · June – July 2022 · High-Pass

Koç University — Istanbul, Türkiye Bachelor of Arts in International Relations (Minor: Economics) · Completed July 2022 GPA 3.89/4.00 · First-Class Honors · ranking first in the class · Minor GPA 4.00/4.00

Istanbul Atatürk Science High School — Istanbul, Türkiye Completed June 2015 · Outstanding Achievement & Honor Certificate · graduation grade 94.89/100

Research & Work Experience

Statistical Consultant for Research — Yale University · 2025 – ongoing

  • Provide quantitative consulting on study design, data management, and statistical analysis plans for applied research projects.
  • Perform regression modeling, hypothesis testing, and model diagnostics, and interpret results for research teams in clear, nontechnical terms.
  • Develop reproducible analysis workflows using statistical programming and documentation tools.
  • Recommend appropriate analytical methods and sensitivity checks to strengthen validity and transparency of research findings.

Research Assistant — Tobacco Microsimulation — Yale University · May 2024 – August 2025 · Hybrid

  • Developed microsimulation models in R to analyze maternal and infant health impacts of nicotine product standards.
  • Cleaned and harmonized National Vital Statistics System natality data for accurate modeling.
  • Estimated transition probabilities for smoking cessation and pregnancy-related morbidity, supporting downstream policy analysis.
  • Served as lead author on a conference abstract for the Society for Medical Decision Making.

Graduate Researcher in Health Technology Assessment — Erasmus University Rotterdam · 2022 – 2023

  • Led systematic literature reviews on regulatory frameworks and AI/ML applications in healthcare.
  • Conducted feasibility assessments and critical appraisals of academic and grey literature to support policy.
  • Produced evidence-based summaries and communication materials for health innovation and access strategies.
  • Supported stakeholder engagement through literature synthesis and value-narrative development.

Undergraduate Researcher in Nephrology (Prof. Kanbay’s group) — Koç University · 2019 – 2022

  • Conducted meta-analyses and systematic reviews on the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors.
  • Supported clinical research evaluating a sugar beverage by recruiting volunteers and collecting blood samples.
  • Co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications.

Undergraduate Researcher — Public Health (Millennium Fellowship) — Koç University · 2021 – 2022

  • Prepared questionnaires assessing demographics, health knowledge, and attitudes of university students.
  • Designed peer-led reproductive-health education programs and evaluated their impact on knowledge and attitudes.

Summer Undergraduate Researcher (IFMSA Research Exchange) — University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain · July 2019

  • Worked in the biochemistry laboratory of Prof. Inmaculada Ballesteros Yáñez.
  • Detected neuronal changes in mice after cocaine administration via Western Blot and microscopy.

Undergraduate Researcher — Microbiology (Prof. Can’s lab) — Koç University · 2017 – 2019

  • Identified virulence factors of colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae via PCR; genotyped isolates by MLST.
  • Detected neutrophil extracellular traps via confocal microscopy.
  • Presented at the 29th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID).
  • Co-authored publication in Biology (doi.org/10.3390/biology10050436).

Teaching Experience

Teaching Fellow — HPM 560: Health Economics & U.S. Health Policy — Yale School of Public Health · Spring 2026

  • Non-stipend Teaching Fellow for HPM 560.
  • Led office hours and discussion sessions to enhance student understanding of complex topics in health economics and U.S. health policy.
  • Graded analytical assignments to assess student performance.

Teaching Fellow — HPM 570: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis and Decision-Making — Yale School of Public Health · Fall 2025

  • Supported students in mastering Markov modeling and probabilistic sensitivity analysis for the core decision-analysis course.
  • Conducted weekly office hours to provide personalized assistance.
  • Graded assignments and exams.

Teaching Fellow — HPM 597: Capstone Course in Health Policy — Yale School of Public Health · Spring 2025

  • Facilitated class discussions and provided constructive feedback on student assignments.
  • Delivered a full guest lecture on policy entrepreneurship, linking theoretical frameworks to real-world cases.
  • Collaborated with the course instructor to refine content and improve student learning experiences.

Teaching Fellow — HPM 570: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis and Decision-Making — Yale School of Public Health · Fall 2024

  • Supported the core decision-analytic methods course in the HPM master’s program.
  • Held weekly office hours assisting students with Markov modeling, decision trees, and cost-effectiveness analysis.
  • Graded assignments and exams.

Instructor — Yale Summer Enrichment Medical Academy (YSEMA): Introduction to Research — Yale School of Medicine · Summer 2024

  • Designed and delivered lectures on research design, ethics, methodology, and data analysis for undergraduates preparing for medical school.

Administrative & Professional Work Experience

GSAS Professional Experience Fellow — Yale School of Medicine · 2023 – 2025

  • Supported the School of Medicine’s academic and administrative projects through strategic evaluation and quantitative analysis.
  • Conducted follow-up data analysis on the school’s alumni database to inform program planning and reporting.
  • Contributed analytic and writing support across a portfolio of school-level initiatives.

Student Assistant — UNIC (European University of Post-Industrial Cities) — Erasmus University Rotterdam · 2022 – 2023

  • Supported timesheet management, mailbox coordination, and student-engagement events for the UNIC project.

Work & Study, Dean’s Office — Koç University, School of Medicine · 2017 – 2019

  • Managed social media accounts for KUSOM, enhancing online presence and engagement.
  • Acted as liaison between the student body and the Dean’s Office.
  • Contributed to policy development and campus initiatives through student representation.

Honors and Awards

  • Thesis of the Year Award in Health Economics, Policy & Law (2023)
  • Jean Monnet Scholarship (2022 – 2023)
  • Holland Scholarship (2022 – 2023)
  • TEV Dr. Orhan Birman Honorable Mention for Medical Research (2022)
  • Vehbi Koç Scholars Honor Prize (2017, 2018, 2019)
  • Honor Certificate & Outstanding Achievement Certificate (2015)
  • Regional Third Place — TÜBİTAK Biology Olympiad First Step Exam (2014)
  • TÜBİTAK National Biology Olympiad Silver Medal (2014)

Leadership, Teamwork & Voluntary Activities

Millennium Fellow & Team Leader, Class of 2021 — Project: Reproductive Health for All · Aug – Dec 2021

  • Selected as a Millennium Fellow out of 25,000+ applicants.
  • Led the “Reproductive Health for All” project, helping >300 university students gain accurate knowledge on reproductive and sexual health through peer-produced online education.

Student Volunteer & Student Workforce Leader — Global Symposium on Health Workforce Accreditation (ECFMG & WHO) · Dec 2019

  • Managed a team of 25 student volunteers in coordination with the ECFMG team.

Treasurer (2017–18) & President (2018–19) — Koç University Medical Students’ Association (KUMSA) · 2017 – 2019

Finance Assistant (2017–18) & Treasurer (2018–19) — European Medical Students’ Association (EMSA), Brussels · 2017 – 2019

Treasurer (2017) & President (2018, 2019) — Koç University, Synapsist Summer School · 2017 – 2019

Student Mentor — TÜBİTAK Biology Olympiad National Summer School · September 2015

Student Coordinator and Mentor — Istanbul Atatürk Science High School Biology Olympiad Team · 2014 – 2015

Skills

  • Coding: R (full professional proficiency); Python (beginner)
  • Languages: English (full professional proficiency); Turkish (native); Dutch (beginner)
  • Methods: decision modeling, cost-effectiveness analysis, microsimulation, regression analysis, systematic review and meta-analysis, health technology assessment

Memberships & Professional Affiliations

European Medical Students’ Association (EMSA) · Koç University Medical Students’ Association (KUMSA) · International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA)

Medical Education & Educational Committee Service

  • Standardized patient in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (2021 – 2022)
  • Essential Skills in Medical Education (ESME Student) — AMEE course completed (April 2021)
  • Student representative, Curriculum Development & Coordination Committee (2020 – 2022)
  • Student representative of the KUSOM ‘22 class (2016 – 2022)
  • Student representative, Koç University School of Medicine Assessment Committee (2018 – 2019)

Selected Publications

A complete list of peer-reviewed publications and preprints is on the Publications page and on Google Scholar.

2024

  1. Wahl, B., Butin, G., Gombe, S., Demiray, A., & Schwalbe, N. (2024). Beyond “business as usual”: lessons from FIFA for fair benefit-sharing in global health. Health Affairs Scholar, 2(7), qxae068. doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxae068

2025 (preprint, under review)

  1. Demiray, A., Skolnick, S., & Tam, J. (2025). Maternal & infant health benefits of a nicotine product standard in the United States. medRxiv (preprint), 2025.09.11.25335605. doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.11.25335605

2023

  1. Copur, S., Demiray, A., Basile, C., & Kanbay, M. (2023). Endocrinological disorders in acute kidney injury. Journal of Nephrology, 36(1), 49–63. doi.org/10.1007/s40620-022-01554-z

2022

  1. Demiray, A., Afsar, B., et al. (2022). The role of uric acid in acute myocardial infarction: A narrative review. Angiology, 73(1), 9–17. doi.org/10.1177/00033197211012546
  2. Demiray, A., Kanbay, A., & Kanbay, M. (2022). Long-term effect of COVID-19 on hemodialysis patients. Clinical Kidney Journal, 15(3), 369–371. doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfab265
  3. Demiray, A., & Kanbay, M. (2022). Hypertension assessment in kidney transplant patients. Clinical Kidney Journal, 15(1), 1–4. doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfab151
  4. Demiray, A., Öztosun, Ç., Acar, S., Sakarya, S., Gürsoy, T., & Ata, B. (2022). Transition from LFW to NBME subject examinations in clinical medical education. SN Social Sciences, 2(10), 200. doi.org/10.1007/s43545-022-00510-9

For the complete record, see the full publications list.

Conference Presentations

  1. Demiray, A., & Yaesoubi, R. Cost-effectiveness of metformin vs. SGLT2 inhibitors as the first-line treatment in type 2 diabetes management. Poster, Society for Medical Decision Making (SMDM) 46th Annual North American Meeting, Boston University, Boston, MA, October 27–30, 2024.
  2. Demiray, A., Öztosun, Ç., Acar, S., Gürsoy, T., Sakarya, S., & Ata, B. The usage of a third-party multiple-choice examination for clinical medical education. Poster, National Medical Education Congress 2022, May 19–22, 2022.
  3. Dural, D., Cunedioglu, B. Ö., Yurtseven, E., Demiray, A., et al. Association between lipoprotein (a) level and chronic cardio-renal syndrome in CAD patients. Abstract, World Congress on Heart Failure 2021, June 29 – July 1, 2021.
  4. Dogan, O., Atac, N., Vatansever, C., Albayrak, O., Sahin, Ö. E., Kilicoglu, B. K., Demiray, A., et al. Yersiniabactin as a promoter of mortality of infections caused by colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae ST101. Poster, ECCMID, April 13–16, 2019.

Interests

Health Economics · Health Policy · Public Health · Global Health · Medical Education · Architecture

Last updated May 2026. CV is maintained directly on this site.