Aziz Sancar: From Rural Savur to the Global Summit of Science

Most people would hang up their lab coats after winning a Nobel Prize. Aziz Sancar is not most people. Even now, in December 2025 at the age of 79, the “Father of DNA Repair” can still be found daily in his laboratory at the University of North Carolina (UNC). He continues to teach, researches new treatment methods for glioblastomas, and proves to the world that genuine scientific curiosity has no expiration date.

His story is not a fairytale; it is a masterclass in iron discipline. From rural Savur, where he grew up without electricity, to the absolute peak of molecular biology, Aziz Sancar embodies the fusion of brilliant science and deep patriotism like no one else.

The Unlikely Rise from Savur

Born on September 8, 1946, into a poor farming family in Savur, Mardin, Aziz was the seventh of eight children. His parents were illiterate, yet they instinctively understood the transformative power of knowledge. They instilled an unshakable work ethic in their children. The result? Every single one of the eight siblings built a successful career, ranging from general to engineer.

This streak of excellence runs through the entire family. His second cousin, Mithat Sancar, is also a prominent figure, currently serving as a Member of Parliament for the DEM Party (as of late 2025), where he is actively engaged in political delegations.

From Goalkeeper to Top Researcher: A Gritty Path

Many don’t know that science almost lost one of its greatest minds to football. In his youth, Sancar was a talented goalkeeper with dreams of playing for the national team. However, he realized early on that his true strength lay in his intellect, not his reflexes. He traded his goalkeeper gloves for a microscope.

In 1963, he began medical school at Istanbul University. He graduated at the top of his class but initially returned to his hometown to work as a doctor. This service to his community shaped him deeply before he ventured into the wider world. Anyone navigating a career change or looking for opportunities today knows how daunting such a leap can bea process we analyze in our guide to finding a job in Turkey.

The Breakthrough in the USA

Sancar’s path in the US was far from smooth. He started at Johns Hopkins University before moving to the University of Texas at Dallas. It was there, under Claud S. Rupert, that he earned his PhD in 1977. But success didn’t just fall into his lap. In the beginning, he was frequently rejected due to a lack of publications. He had to scrap by as a laboratory technician before he could finally gain a foothold at Yale University.

Since 1982, he has been a fixture at the UNC School of Medicine. Today, he holds the prestigious Sarah Graham Kenan Professorship for Biochemistry and Biophysics. His wife, Gwen Boles Sancar, whom he met in Dallas, is now a professor emerita and dedicates her time fully to their joint foundation.

The Science: What Does Sancar Actually Do?

Why is his research so critical? In simple terms, Aziz Sancar mapped how our cells repair damaged DNA. Without these repair mechanisms, UV radiation and other environmental factors would cause us to develop cancer almost immediately.

Current Research 2025: The Fight Against Brain Tumors

If you think the 2015 Nobel Prize was the finish line, you are mistaken. Sancar’s lab continues to publish groundbreaking studies. In late 2025, his work on treating glioblastomas (an aggressive form of brain tumor) made waves in the scientific community. He investigated how specific drugs (like Temozolomide) can work more effectively when combined with other agents. Furthermore, he is researching the “internal clock” (circadian rhythm) and its influence on chemotherapyan approach that could revolutionize cancer therapies worldwide.

The Nobel Prize Belongs to Atatürk

The most emotional moment of his career wasn’t the ceremony in Stockholm, but what happened afterward. Aziz Sancar dedicated his Nobel Prize to the Republic of Turkey and its founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

“I owe this award to Atatürk’s educational revolution. The true owner of this prize is the Anıtkabir Museum.”

Aziz Sancar

He kept his word. He handed over his gold medal and certificate to the Anıtkabir Museum in Ankara. They remain there today, in late 2025, displayed in a special exhibitiona pilgrimage site for young Turkish scientists. This gesture echoes the patriotism of historical figures who put their country above self interest.

The Legacy: The Aziz & Gwen Sancar Foundation

Sancar doesn’t just build molecules; he builds bridges. Together with his wife, he founded the Sancar Turkish Cultural and Community Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This center is far more than a cultural club; it is an academic hub.

Status Update 2025: The foundation is currently in the middle of “Phase Two.” Construction of the Sancar Scholars Residence is progressing rapidly. This dormitory is designed to provide Turkish visiting scholars with affordable accommodation, smoothing their transition to life in the USa hurdle Sancar knows all too well. Having a landing pad is invaluable when dealing with the complexities of moving abroad, much like the bureaucratic challenges we discuss in our guide to navigating Turkish business regulations.

Honors and Influence in the Turkic World

Sancar’s influence extends far beyond Turkey’s borders. He is regarded as a symbolic figure for the entire Turkic speaking world. In January 2025, the organization TURKSOY named him the “Cultural Ambassador of the Turkic World.” This was followed in May 2025 by the awarding of the prestigious Ali Shir Nava’i Prize (Gold Medal) for his services to the unity of Turkic states.

TEKNOFEST and the Youth

While Sancar did not personally attend the TEKNOFEST events in Turkey in 2024 and 2025, his spirit was undeniably present. Students from the “Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar Science and Art Center” (BİLSEM) in Mardin won two first prizes in 2025 in the categories of “Smart Transport” and “Technology for Humanity.” Sancar’s message to the youth remains as potent as ever:

“Be stubborn. Never accept defeat. When I speak of our country, I mean Turkey and Azerbaijan. It is hard work to lift our country up, but you must do it.”

This sentiment of regional solidarity is becoming increasingly relevant, much like the strategic energy alliances forming between Azerbaijan and Europe.

Conclusion: What We Can Learn from Aziz Sancar

Aziz Sancar’s life teaches us that where you start does not dictate where you finish. It teaches us that science is not a lonely ivory tower, but a tool to serve humanity. As he approaches his 80th birthday, the lights in his lab at UNC are still burning brighta beacon for anyone who believes in the power of education.

• Persistence beats talent: Sancar was rejected often but never gave up.
• Home in the heart: Despite decades in the USA, his loyalty to Turkey and Anıtkabir remains unbroken.
• Active Research: Even in 2025/2026, he is no “museum piece,” but an active publisher in cancer research.