Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital hosted Prof. Aziz Sancar MD., Lecturer of Biochemistry and Biophysics department at Carolina University, who received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2015.
During the visit hosted by the Rector of University of Kyrenia Prof. İlkay Salihoğlu, Prof. Aziz Sancar came together with the physicians of Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital and Dentistry Faculty Hospital staff along with academicians and students.
RECTOR SALİHOĞLU: “TODAY IS A PROUD DAY, A DAY OF HONOUR FOR OUR UNIVERSITY “
Prof. İlkay Salioğlu mentioned the pleasure of hosting Prof. Aziz Sancar MD. in T.R.N.C and in the university and also expressed the gratitude and appreciation for his visit and valuable contributions. Rector Salihoğlu expressed the honour of hosting a scientist who is respected all over world and said “today is a proud day, a day of honour for our university “
Prof. Nedime Serakıncı of Near East University accompanied Prof. Aziz Sancar MD. while they visited the University Hospital and the simulation centres of Faculty of Maritime Studies and Faculty of Aviation.
During the meeting with academicians and physicians, Prof. Aziz Sancar MD. stated that technology cannot exist without basic science and mentioned the importance of funding basic science.
After the meeting Sancar met university students and other science enthusiast people from all ages in the university campus.
YOU NEED A FREE ENVIRONMENT FOR SCIENCE
Prof. Aziz Sancar MD. who recently has paid a visit to Central Asian Turkish Republics, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan mentioned that he explained the importance of science for earning respect to the young people and also added; “ In the West, they don’t take us seriously because we don’t give importance to science. If we want respect, we need to give more importance to science, if you can keep this in mind as a memento of today that means I have succeeded today”.
Sancar stated the importance of a free environment for science and also mentioned that educators should respect the thoughts and ideas of their students and that even students must question their teachers. Sancar stated that the students need to have ideas of their own and mentioned the importance of criticism without disrespect.
Sancar stated that the newest technologies are being produced in the west and pointed out the importance of being scientifically independent and also mentioned that one of the prerequisite of an independent country is being scientifically independent.
He shared with the young people the history of science in Eastern and Western Civilizations and the development of the knowledge and noted that the path of economic development also comes from scientific advancements.
He continued his speech with advancements in the current world of science, his story of success on his path to the Nobel Prize and his knowledge with the students. Sancar answered the student’s questions and had his photo taken with every single student.
WHO IS AZİZ SANCAR?
Aziz Sancar was born on the 8th of September 1946 as the 7th son in his family in Savur county of Mardin. He completed his primary education in Mardin. After his education in Istanbul Faculty of Medicine which he started in 1963, Prof. Aziz Sancar MD. worked as a doctor for 2 years in Savur and he completed his doctorate on Molecular Biology in Texas University in the stated of Dallas/USA. After this, he completed his associate professorship on DNA repair in Yale University. Sancar then continued his studies on DNA repair, cell cycle, cancer treatment and biological clock. He published around 400 articles and 33 books.
University of North Carolina, Biochemistry and Biophysics faculty member scientist Prof. Aziz Sancar MD. has been awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his research mapping at a molecular level how cells repair damaged DNA and protect the genetic information.
Sancar, along with American Paul Modrich and Swedish Thomas Lindahl received the award from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Prof. Aziz Sancar MD. Sancar is the first Turkish-born scientist to receive the award. Sancar presented the Nobel Prize for Chemistry medal and certificate to the Anıtkabir Command with the ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Sancar had previously made a ‘rhythmic clock’ healing in cancer treatment and made a name for himself with the works he had done on topics such as ‘DNA repair’ and ‘cell cycle check point’.
In 2008 Sancar bought a house in the village of Chapel Hill with his own savings. He named it as The Carolina Turkish House. With his American wife Gwen, he opened their home to Turkish students, who went to the USA for their doctorate; so that they wouldn’t experience the difficulties they experienced and started to use it as a dormitory and culture centre.
Prof. Aziz Sancar MD. is married to Gwen Boles Sancar and they have a daughter.
His awards:
- 1984 – National Science Foundation, Young Researcher Award.
- 1990 – American Society for Photobiology Award.
- 1995 – USA National Institutes of Health Award
- 1997 – TUBİTAK Award
- 2004 – USA Academy of Science and Social Sciences Award
- 2005 – Member of USA Academy of International Sciences
- 2006 – TÜBA (Turkish Academy of Science) Award
- 2007 – Vehbi Çok Award
- 2015 – The Nobel Prize in Chemistry
