What makes a great scientist? Aziz Sancar showed us...

World-renowned Turkish scientist, Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry and Professor Aziz Sancar is celebrating his 80th birthday.

Having devoted more than 30 years of his life to research into human DNA repair and genetics, the scientist has distinguished himself not only through his major discoveries in the world of science, but also through his commitment to the Turkic world, patriotism and support for young researchers. His visits to Azerbaijan following the country’s victory, as well as his close ties with educational and scientific institutions in Azerbaijan, are clear examples of his special attention to the country’s scientific community.

On the occasion of his anniversary, former MP Etibar Aliyev shared his views with TodayPress TV on Aziz Sancar’s legacy and impact on the world of science:

“I have been researching Nobel laureates since 1990 and have written hundreds of articles. I have always wanted someone from the Turkic world to be awarded the Nobel Prize in science. It is true that before Aziz Sancar, two great scientists from the Muslim world had received the Nobel Prize. The first was Abdus Salam, a Pakistani physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. The second was the great Egyptian chemist Ahmed Zewail, who received the Nobel Prize in 1999.

It was a great source of joy for us that our esteemed Aziz Sancar also received this award and that a great scientist from the Turkic world had been awarded the Nobel Prize. Aziz Sancar devoted 34 years of his life to DNA – the study of the human genome. The Nobel Committee classified his achievement as being worthy of the Nobel Prize for his work on repairing human DNA.”

Etibar Aliyev also spoke about Aziz Sancar’s strong sense of Turkish patriotism:

“With the prize money he received from the Nobel Prize, he established the Turkish House in North Carolina, USA, and brought researchers there. He donated his Nobel medal and certificate to the Anıtkabir Museum. Aziz Sancar frequently offers advice to young people across the Turkic world. His advice is very interesting. I believe every young person should read it. It is a long and tireless path toward science and research, and he offers young people very important guidance in this field. His visit to Baku, his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev in 2021, and his description of our victory as a victory for the broader Turkic world are a source of pride for us. President Ilham Aliyev also awarded Aziz Sancar the ‘Shohrat’ Order.”

The former MP said he first met Aziz Sancar when the scientist came to UNEC at the invitation of university rector Adalat Muradov:

“A laboratory named after Aziz Sancar has also been established at UNEC. This in itself is an extremely positive development. He also maintains regular contact with UNEC. Most importantly, one of the greatest qualities of a scientist is not merely to develop oneself, but to lead young people, advise them and fund their research. Aziz Sancar possesses all of these qualities, and I congratulate our esteemed professor on his 80th birthday.”

It should be noted that on September 7, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed an Order awarding Aziz Sancar the ‘Shohrat’ Order for his special services in strengthening Azerbaijan’s international scientific and humanitarian cooperation.

Giymat Mahir