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Güneş Aytaç, MD, PhD

Güneş Aytaç, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Gunes Aytac Profile



  • Affiliation:
    Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology

  • Email: gunes@hawaii.edu

  • Phone: (808)692-1448

Short Bio

Güneş Aytaç was born and raised in Turkey, where she pursued her medical education at Mersin University. Following her graduation, she worked as a physician in the Emergency Room while simultaneously embarking on a PhD in Anatomy. During her doctoral studies, she collaborated with Dr. Muzaffer Sindel at the Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, focusing on anatomical variations and brain mapping through Diffusion Tensor Imaging. She also conducted research with Dr. Gamze Tanrıöver at the Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, investigating the effects of melatonin on metastatic breast cancer.

Upon completing her PhD, Dr. Aytaç received a postdoctoral scholarship from The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK). She undertook postdoctoral training under the mentorship of Dr. Scott Lozanoff in the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology, concentrating on the use of technology for online computer-based teaching to enhance situated learning.

In 2023, Dr. Aytaç joined the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, as an Assistant Professor.

Graduate Faculty

Akdeniz University, Institute of Health Sciences, TURKEY— Ph.D. in Anatomy
Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, TURKEY — Doctor of Medicine

Research Interests

Dr. Aytaç's research primarily focuses on the utilization of technology for online computer-based teaching, employing multiple platforms to enhance situated learning through collaborative approaches. Her expertise is particularly centered on leveraging advanced tools, including extended reality (XR) and medical imaging techniques, to transform the educational landscape.

Selected Publications

Liang CG, Matsunaga M, Takakusagi M, DeMeo J, Thompson JD, Rettenmeier C, Aytaç G, Lee UY, Lozanoff S. A comparison of pre- and post-clinical education learning preferences among medical students who elected to dissect compared to those who did not during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anat Sci Educ. 2023; 00: 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.2362

Guaraná JB, Aytaç G, Müller AF, Thompson J, Freitas SH, Lee UY, Lozanoff S, Ferrante B. Extended reality veterinary medicine case studies for diagnostic veterinary imaging instruction: Assessing student perceptions and examination performance. Anat Histol Embryol. 2023 Jan;52(1):101-114. doi: 10.1111/ahe.12879. Epub 2022 Nov 1. PMID: 36317584.

Nakamatsu NA, Aytaç G, Mikami B, Thompson JD, Davis M 3rd, Rettenmeier C, Maziero D, Andrew Stenger V, Labrash S, Lenze S, Torigoe T, Lozanoff BK, Kaya B, Smith A, Miles DJ, Lee UY, Lozanoff S. Case-based radiological anatomy instruction using cadaveric MRI imaging and delivered with extended reality web technology. Eur J Radiol. 2021 Nov 17;146: 110043.
doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.110043.

Aytaç G, Ogut E , Şekerci R , Gürçay S, Oğuz N, Sindel M. (2021). The contribution of plastinates to teaching the complex anatomy of the heart. Anatomy, 15 (1), 69-75.