Working in the field of DNA Repair, awarded the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize in Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar, met with Prof. Dr. Gazi Yasargil, a recipient of the position as the number one, of fifty previous, World of Medicine’s Top Brain Surgeon of the Century, at a special event on the campus of Yeditepe University.
Prof. Dr. Sancar’s conference was attended by Yeditepe University students and academicians, along with other university academicians from Istanbul and the surrounding areas. Prof. Dr. Sancar shared his academic life, research, and extended his Nobel Prize success with the audience through a humor-filled and educational presentation.
Prof. Dr. Sancar’s wife Gwen Sancar also attended the conference along with Yeditepe University Founding President Bedrettin Dalan, Yeditepe University Rector Prof. Dr. Canan Aykut Bingöl, The İSTEK Foundation CEO Doç.Dr. Altay Burak Dalan, famous heart surgeon Prof. Dr. Bingür Sönmez, recognized worldwide for his achievements in organ transplantation and Pediatric Surger Prof. Dr. Münci Kalayoğlu.
In the introduction speech, given by Bedrettin Dalan, he warmly welcomed Prof. Dr. Sancar to Yeditepe University, and he stated that Prof. Dr. Sancar’s reception of the Nobel Peace Prize has given Turkey, and the Turkish nation a very big honour, one that helped to break the prejudice against Turks. He thanked Prof. Dr. Sancar for his work and for his contribution to the country.
“I feel like a popstar”
Prof. Dr. Sancar saw great interest in explaining his life and research works in a humorous and informal manner. Prof. Sancar first thanked the audience and Yeditepe for inviting him to speak, “I feel like a popstar,” he laughed as he spoke to the audience. After showing his admiration for Prof. Dr. Gazi Yasargil, who had a seat among the audience, Prof. Dr. Sancar continued onwards sharing his presentation that he had made for the Nobel Prize.
After telling about serving for science and humanity for 40 years, Prof. Dr. Sancar stated, “I am indebted to Ataturk and the Republic’s scientific revolution. My family was very supportive, moreover in Turkey, I received an education from outstanding teachers. This was not something that fell from the sky, it was the result of hard work and a good education. The Nobel is both for me and the Turkish Nation, a big inspiration. I learned that I had received the award from a phone call one morning. This was a long process. The best lesson that I have given in my life, was the lesson that I gave to the Nobel committee. In this lesson, I presented my work and my country in the best way possible.”
“After the Nobel Prize, my life changed”
After Prof. Dr. Sancar told the audience that many things had changed in his life after winning the Nobel Prize, he said that in Turkey, winning the prize made his as famous as Tom Cruise, this made the audience laugh out loud. Following the Prize, Prof. Dr. Sancar explained that he had received many plaques from foundations and people. Then he emphasized that the most memorable honor he received was from the Turkish Workers in Switzerland. He gave a witty reply to the people who had criticized him for deciding to put the Nobel medal at Anitkabir, “This medal belongs to the Nation, where would I put it, would I put it in my pocket?” as he said it the hall gave a big applause.
“In America they Founded a Turk House”
With the money that he won from the Nobel Prize, he and his wife, spent it on the “Carolina Turkish House” founded in 2007, in order to introduce Turkish Culture in the United States. He explained, “If you live in a country, where not even one person knows Ataturk’s name, that means we are not doing our duty.”
He continued by giving a big piece of advice for the youth; “Do whatever you can do for the service of humanity, working hard is the most important part of success. After the Nobel prize, my only mission is not only to be a resercher, it is also to do all of the things I can do, to be an example to the youth.”
“Gifted Ataturk Portrait”
After the conference, Bedrettin Dalan, the Rector Prof. Canan Aykut Bingol, and Yeditepe University’s Faculty of Fine Arts Assistant Dean, Prof. Dr. Gulveli Kaya, came to the stage and presented Prof. Dr. Sancar with a gifted signature portrait of Ataturk.
Prof. Dr. Gazi Yasargil gave the present of the University to Prof. Dr. Sancar. Prof. Dr. Yaşargil, emphasized that this conference was genuine and more personal than all of the lessons he had listened to throughout the years, moreover, Prof. Dr. Sancar’s area of study is both important for humanity and nature. During the memory photograph shooting of Bedrettin Dalan turned to Prof. Dr. Sancar and Prof. Dr. Yasargil, “Ataturk’s spirit is here, and is proud of you both.”
Prof. Dr. Sancar’s live conference can be watched here www.yeditepe.edu.tr
