The , a non-profit membership association of translational scientists from the nation’s leading academic medical centers, honored its Translational Science Award recipients at Translational Science 2025. for Translation from Proof of Concept to Widespread Clinical Practice.
Gurkan, the Wilbert J. Austin Professor of Engineering at Ǹ, has been celebrated for his groundbreaking work in developing Gazelle, a portable, affordable diagnostic tool that has transformed sickle cell disease screening and management worldwide. He is the faculty co-director of Translational Fellows Program (TFP) in the CWRU School of Medicine and the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) of Northern Ohio. Gurkan is also Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) Annual Pilot Award Program Lead at the CTSC.
Gurkan’s pioneering research addresses one of the most pressing global health challenges: sickle cell disease, which affects over eight million people globally, with a devastating toll in low-resource regions like sub-Saharan Africa and India. His invention, Gazelle—initially conceptualized as HemeChip—brings rapid, point-of-care electrophoresis testing to underserved communities, enabling early detection and intervention. Since its market launch in 2020, Gazelle has delivered over 1.5 million tests across more than 40 countries, saving an estimated 20,000 lives by identifying and treating children before the disease’s severe complications take hold.
As Patti White, CEO of Hemex Health, noted in her letter of support, “Dr. Gurkan led the invention and development of this technology… [making] important diagnostic information that can now reach millions of patients for accurate diagnosis and treatment monitoring.”
ACTS presents its annual Translational Science Awards to recognize investigators for their outstanding contributions to the clinical research and translational science field. Individuals and teams are nominated by their colleagues and peers, and may be selected from all industry segments.
“The ACTS awards recognize talented investigators who translate their findings from the bench to bedside and ultimately into the community. Awardees are in all phases of studies and disciplines throughout the workforce, which includes investigators, trainees, educators, and research teams. These award winners and their work represent the values and mission of ACTS for innovation, team science, and community involvement applying principles of translational science. We are pleased to celebrate their achievements at Translational Science 2025,” said ACTS President Allan R. Brasier, MD.
The ACTS Distinguished Investigator Award for Translation from Proof of Concept to Widespread Clinical Practice recognizes the senior investigator whose innovative research or education leadership has had a major impact on or through clinical and translational science, specifically in the realm of implementation and dissemination of translational solutions to illness and clinical problems.
Gurkan’s journey with Gazelle exemplifies this mission. From its inception in his Case Western Reserve lab in 2013 to its widespread adoption today, his work has bridged the gap between proof-of-concept and global clinical practice.
Stephen Fening, PhD, associate vice president for research at Case Western Reserve, praised Dr. Gurkan’s impact in his nomination letter: “His innovative work aims to develop accessible diagnostic technologies… significantly enhancing the global health landscape.”
With over 110 peer-reviewed publications, 16 U.S. patents, 100 international patent applications and accolades like the Savio L-Y. Woo Translational Biomechanics Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Faculty Distinguished Research Award from Ǹ, Dr. Gurkan stands as a leader in translational science.
Today, Gazelle supports newborn screening, premarital counseling, and treatment monitoring in remote areas in Africa and India, aligning with initiatives like India’s National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission. Dr. Gurkan’s vision continues to expand, with ongoing research exploring its potential to diagnose other conditions like thalassemia, anemia, and diabetes—promising even broader impact on global health equity. His recognition as the 2025 ACTS Distinguished Investigator underscores a legacy of innovation that is saving lives and redefining clinical practice worldwide.
**This project was supported in part by the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio which is funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) of the National Institutes of Health, UM1TR004528. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.