Table of Contents
Aziz Sancar, born in the heart of Turkey, emerged from humble beginnings to etch his name in the annals of scientific history. From humble beginnings to winning the Nobel Prize, Sancar’s story intertwines his passion for science with a deep connection to his homeland.
In this article, you can find everything you want to know about Nobel Prize winner Aziz Sancar, from his family to his educational life and achievements.
The First Period of Aziz Sancar’s Life
Birth and Family
Aziz Sancar was born on 8 September 1946. Growing up as the seventh of eight siblings in a lower-middle class family, Sancar witnessed the struggles of his parents, who, like most families in Savur, worked tirelessly in agriculture. Despite facing hardship and lacking formal education, his parents instilled in their children a fervent belief in the transformative power of education.
All of Aziz’s siblings earned university degrees. Two brothers opted for military service and joined the Turkish Armed Forces, while one studied mechanical engineering. Sancar’s line of excellence extends beyond close siblings. His second cousin Mithat Sancar has dedicated his life to public service as an MP.
Throughout his life, Aziz Sancar has been adamant about his Turkish identity. When asked about his ethnic origin, he clearly states “I am Turkish, that’s all”. His patriotism is further emphasised by his visits to Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
Passions
A devoted student, Aziz Sancar had diverse interests. He was not only an academically inclined individual but also harbored dreams of playing for the national football team, having played as a goalkeeper during school. However, recognizing his true calling, he eventually chose academia over athletics.
Education and Career
After graduating from high school, Aziz Sancar’s academic talent led him to Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1963. Although his first passion was biochemistry, the advice of a respected professor led him to the medical profession in his beloved hometown of Savur.
With his insatiable thirst for knowledge, Sancar’s journey took him abroad. He first attended Johns Hopkins University with a NATO-TÜBİTAK scholarship, then moved to the University of Texas at Dallas. Here, under the guidance of Claud Stanley Rupert, he made groundbreaking advances in DNA repair.
Positions and Awards of Distinction
His illustrious career has associated him with prestigious institutions such as Yale University and the University of North Carolina. His laudable work, spanning DNA repair, cancer treatment and the daily clock, has led to the publication of hundreds of papers and many books.
Among his numerous honours, Sancar was awarded the North Carolina Distinguished Chemist Award in 2001. His outstanding contributions to science earned him induction into the US National Academy of Sciences in 2005, making him the first Turkish-American scientist to receive this honour. He continues to be an integral part of the Turkish Academy of Sciences.
Charity Works
Beyond his scientific pursuits, Aziz Sancar has showcased an unwavering commitment to improving Turkish-American relations and supporting Turkish students in the USA. Together with his wife, he established the Aziz & Gwen Sancar Foundation and initiated the “Carolina Turkish House” project in North Carolina.
Stepping Stones to Success
Driven by his passion to be at the forefront of biochemistry research, Aziz Sancar started his life in the USA in 1973.
Joining Claud S. Rupert’s laboratory at the University of Texas at Dallas, Aziz Sancar’s relentless dedication paid off with a Ph. D. in molecular biology in 1977.
Rejected for lack of publications, Aziz Sancar’s perseverance led him to a research assistant position at Yale University. In 1982, he joined the ranks of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and was eventually honoured as the Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
Personal Life
Amidst academic pursuits, love blossomed between Aziz Sancar and Gwen Boles Sancar in Dallas. Today, she stands as a biochemistry professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Despite his life in the U.S., Sancar didn’t forget his roots. He returned to Turkey in 1976 for his compulsory military service.
Research Revelations
From graduate studies onwards, Aziz Sancar’s infatuation lay with the chromophore of the photolyase, intrigued by the healing properties of bacteria under ultraviolet radiation. His determination led to pioneering experiments using DNA technology.
Through the 1980s and 2000s, Aziz Sancar’s research evolved, from studying E. coli bacteria’s photolyase to unveiling the mechanism of DNA repair by photolyase. His insights even touched upon the mammalian circadian clock.
Awards and Honors
- 1969 MD, Summa Cum Laude (1st in class of 625)
- 1971 – 1973 NATO Fellowship
- 1977 PhD, University of Texas at Dallas
- 1984 – 1989 NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award
- 1990 American Society for Photobiology Award
- 1995 Turkish Scientific Research Council Basic Science Award
- 1995 – 2004 NIH MERIT Award
- 1997 Present Sarah Graham Kenan Professor
- 2001 North Carolina Distinguished Chemist Award, ACS
- 2002 Miller Visiting Professor-UC Berkeley
- 2004 American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- 2005 National Academy of Sciences, USA
- 2006 Turkish Academy of Sciences
- 2007 Turkish Koç Award
- 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award (Univ. of Texas at Dallas)
- 2014 Distinguished Visiting Professor – Academia Sinica
- 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- 2016 TWESCO International Turkish Academy – Gold Medal at UN
- 2016 ASBMB Bert and Natalie Vallee Award
- 2016 O. Max Gardner Award (highest honor by University of North Carolina Board of Governors)
- 2016 Carnegie Corporation’s Immigrant of the Year
- 2016 North Carolina Award (the highest civilian honor given by the state)
- 2016 National Academy of Medicine
- 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award (Univ. of Texas at Dallas)
- 2019 Hyman L. Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award
- 2006-2022 Honorary Doctorates from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Peru…
Nobel Prize
Aziz Sancar has been awarded the prestigious 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with the American Paul Modrich and the Swede Tomas Lindahl. For more than 30 years, their collective endeavours, which were independent of each other, were primarily centred around bacterial cells. Aziz Sancar’s groundbreaking work shed light on the field of nucleotide excision repair.
Working together, Lindahl and Modrich unravelled the mysteries of other DNA repair mechanisms, particularly base excision repair and mismatch repair. These basic mechanisms they shed light on were subsequently demonstrated in complex organisms, including humans. An illustrative consequence of this is the direct causal relationship discovered between nucleotide excision repair defects and skin cancers.
The Nobel Prize Ceremony and a Touching Gesture
The day was 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. On this day, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded Sancar the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in a solemn ceremony. The medal was presented by none other than King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. But what followed was both heartwarming and deeply symbolic.
“It is the educational revolution of Atatürk and the Republic of Turkey that has made me worthy of this prize. Therefore, the real owner of this award is the Anıtkabir Museum, which represents Atatürk and the Republic of Turkey.”
Aziz Sancar
Aziz Sancar, true to his words, donated his Nobel Prize medal and certificate to Anıtkabir. Today, they are proudly displayed in the special section of the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum at Anıtkabir as a sign of Sancar’s respect for his homeland and its founding values.
Aziz Sancar Partipaced TEKNOFEST
Aziz Sancar enjoys inspiring and meeting young people. Hereby, Dr Sancar, who participated in the Azerbaijan leg of TEKNOFEST, one of the world’s largest Aviation, Space and Technology Festivals held in Turkey, shared deep insights that resonated with many participants. He stressed upon the undying love for one’s homeland and the necessity to contribute positively to society.
“Dear young people, never stop loving our country. Know that studies that do not benefit your country and nation will not be permanent. One of the most important things for me is the development of the Turkish world and the Turkish youth being at the forefront. Trust in our nation that gave this chance to a child of a family from Mardin-Savur who cannot even read and write. When I say our country, I mean both Turkey and Azerbaijan. It is very difficult for the rise of our country. Struggle to make things right even when things go wrong. Be stubborn and never accept defeat.”
Aziz Sancar
In a heartfelt moment, Dr. Sancar confessed that he doesn’t distinguish Azerbaijan from Turkey, indicating the deep bond he feels with both nations.
“Azerbaijan holds a special place in my heart. It’s my homeland. Thus, I consider myself to be home.”
Aziz Sancar
During the event, he also took the opportunity to explore various exhibition stands, inspecting air vehicles like İki Govan and Akıncı, and later touring the competition area.
Key Takeaways
- Aziz Sancar’s pursuit of biochemistry research led him from Turkey to the U.S., culminating in a Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2015.
- His early years in the U.S. were marked by perseverance amidst challenges.
- Personal milestones included marriage to Gwen Boles Sancar and a brief return to Turkey for military service.
- His groundbreaking research revolved around DNA repair enzymes and photolyase.
- Sancar’s deep-rooted Turkish pride was evident in his Nobel Prize speech and the donation of his medal to an Ankara museum.
