WoW Woman in Health Tech I Dr. Irem Tezer Ates, Medical Science Director at NuroKor

Dr. Irem Tezer Ates is a Medical Science Director at NuroKor. NuroKor is a research-driven health tech company delivering medical technology that puts the power of cutting-edge bioelectronics directly into the hands of the many.

Tell us a bit about your background and your projects so far.
I am a doctor with over 15 years of international experience in research and clinical treatments for pain and wounds. As well as being a member of the European Wound Management Association, and an undersea and hyperbaric medicine consultant, I have a special interest in bioelectronic pain management. Originally from Turkey, I’m now based in the UK where I have recently become Medical Science Director at NuroKor.
NuroKor develops and formulates programmable bioelectronic software for clinical and therapeutic applications. Their range of easy-to-use, wearable devices delivers personalised pain relief, recovery support, and rehabilitation to patients.

How did you get into this industry? Has it been an easy industry to get into or have you had many challenges?
I studied medicine at Kadir Has University in Istanbul, Turkey. Following this, I undertook several research and training placements in the fields of wound healing and hyperbaric medicine. My research has been published in journals, and I’ve participated in conferences and given lectures all over the world. The field of medical academia is incredibly competitive, but it’s an honor to work alongside so many bright minds and participate in cutting-edge research.

How long did it take you to be where you are now? What was the biggest obstacle? What are the challenges of being in the industry you are in?
I’d already been working as a doctor and researcher for several years before I came across NuroKor and heard about their pioneering work in pain management and wound healing technology. I had previous experience using technology to accelerate my patients’ healing process, so I was fascinated by the potential that bioelectronic therapy holds to alleviate suffering and chronic pain.

I think one of the biggest challenges that I face, working in the field of pain medicine, is addressing the over-prescription of painkillers. For decades, strong pain medication has been used as the only treatment for chronic pain, leading to high levels of dependence. Now that there’s a growing appetite for alternatives, we need to educate patients about the benefits of reducing the use of painkillers and switching to drug-free solutions.

What are your biggest achievements to date?
Since I’ve been working at NuroKor, I’ve put a lot of time, effort, and research into helping develop and improve their range of wearable technology. Together, we are working to ensure that everyone can access the drug-free therapy they need – whether that’s for recovery, pain management, or sports performance. I’m proud to be a part of the innovators and developers making healthcare technology and pain management tech more accessible than ever before. 

What are the projects you are currently working on?
We’re currently working on a range of Femtech devices that use NuroKor’s microcurrent technology to relieve pain for women suffering from common conditions such as period pain and endometriosis. Women are chronically underserved when it comes to pain relief technology: period pain affects an average of 55% of women worldwide but there are so few consistently reliable treatment options. The disruption to daily life, loss of work hours, and sheer inequality of this situation are something that we are committed to changing with our Femtech devices.

Is the #WomenInTech movement important to you and if yes, why?
I think that, in the 21st century, every woman should care about the #WomenInTech movement. Tech touches every part of our lives and societies, But without women stepping up and embracing careers in tech, women’s needs will continue to be unmet, or inadequately met, by technological progress. If advances in medical technology, or any other field of technology, are to benefit all members of society equally, then we as women must have an equal stake and play an equal role.

What will be the key trends in your industry in the next five years and where do you see them heading?
This is a very exciting moment to be working in the medical device sector, and, more specifically, in the field of bioelectronic medical devices. There’s a growing movement away from traditional pain medication and towards tailored therapies that recognise the fact that every patient is different. Innovations such as peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) are transforming the lives of patients with chronic pain, and soon we’ll see treatments like this being used to address a much wider range of conditions - from diabetes to cerebral palsy.

What is the most important piece of advice you could give to anyone who wants to start a career in this industry?
In the workplace, stop worrying about everyone liking you or about keeping everyone happy. You need to trust in your own ability to make the right decision - regardless of what other people might think - and keep your head high no matter what challenges are thrown at you.

Who are three inspirational women in your respective industry you admire?

Actually, I admire all women. Because of my profession, I get the chance to listen to many inspiring patient stories from many inspirational women and feel I’m able to learn something new from all their different experiences. However, three women that have made history, and particularly resonate with me, are Ozlem Tureci, Marie Curie, and Chloe Stockwell-Clark. 

Ozlem Tureci is a German physician and entrepreneur with an incredible dedication to scientific research, it was her company that developed the first messenger RNA-based COVID-19 vaccine that was approved for use. Being behind the development of one of the most transformative global health interventions that saved thousands of lives is incredible. 

When it comes to scientific discovery, I am always in awe of Marie Curie’s work, and huge contribution to finding treatments for cancer - despite her challenging laboratory conditions and humble beginnings. 

Finally, Chloe-Stockwell-Clark, the Chief Technology Officer and leader of the FemTech division at Nurokor, is a big inspiration of mine. She is passionate and relentless about closing the gender gap in health, and she’s the driving force behind providing world-first, wearable therapeutics, that are formulated to target specific conditions affecting women.

Find out more about NuroKor on their website.

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This interview was conducted by Marija Butkovic, Digital Marketing and PR strategist, founder, and CEO of Women of Wearables. She regularly writes and speaks on topics of wearable tech, fashion tech, IoT, entrepreneurship, and diversity. Follow Marija on Twitter @MarijaButkovic and read her stories for Forbes here.