TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Science and Incentive Awards for TÜBA Members
Under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, the 2025 TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Science, Service and Incentive Awards were presented at the 11th Turkish Medical World Congress by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. TÜBA Honorary Member Prof. Dr. Uğur Türe received the TÜSEB Special Award in Memory of Gazi Yaşargil, TÜBA Full Member Prof. Dr. Fikrettin Şahin received the TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Science Prize, and Turkish Young Academy Member Prof. Dr. Sercan Karav received the TÜSEB Incentive Award.
Prof. Dr. Uğur Türe, who worked for many years with Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yaşargil in the fields of micro-neurosurgery and surgical neuroanatomy, was granted the TÜSEB Special Award in Memory of Gazi Yaşargil in recognition of Yaşargil’s legacy, contribution to science and surgery, and lasting impact on the field. Prof. Dr. Fikrettin Şahin was awarded the TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Science Prize for his pioneering work in biotechnology, innovative scientific contributions, and valuable service to the scientific ecosystem. Prof. Dr. Sercan Karav received the TÜSEB Incentive Award for his scientific potential and contributions to health science and technology.
At the same ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also presented the TÜSEB Service Award to Prof. Dr. Mehmet Erdem Büyükbingöl, the Health Technologies Prestige Award to Şahin Gürsel, the Innovative Health Team Award to Prof. Dr. Serkan Topaloğlu and his Team, and additional TÜSEB Incentive Awards to Prof. Dr. Erkan Yılmaz, Prof. Dr. Suat Tekin, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Beyza Servet Göncü.
TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, who attended the ceremony, stated: “The recognition of our scientists at national and international levels is of great importance in demonstrating Türkiye’s scientific capacity. I wholeheartedly congratulate all award recipients and wish them continued success. As TÜBA, we proudly celebrate our members whose scientific productivity and international impact inspire the next generation of scientists.”
Who is Prof. Dr. Uğur Türe?
Prof. Dr. Uğur Türe graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1987, following his studies at Ankara Deneme High School. He completed his residency in Neurosurgery at Istanbul Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital. During and after his residency, he worked under the supervision of Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yaşargil at the University of Zurich Hospital in the fields of microneurosurgery and surgical neuroanatomy.
After serving as a specialist at Şişli Etfal between 1993 and 1995, he continued his neuroanatomy studies at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences under the supervision of Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yaşargil and Prof. Dr. Ossama Al-Mefty between 1995 and 1997. Returning to Türkiye in 1997, he began working as an assistant professor at Marmara University, Department of Neurosurgery. He became associate professor in 1999 and full professor in 2005.
In August 2005, he founded the Department of Neurosurgery at Yeditepe University Hospital and has served as its Chair since then. Prof. Dr. Türe has published extensively in leading neurosurgery journals and authored book chapters in the fields of surgical neuroanatomy and operative techniques.
His groundbreaking contributions to white matter anatomy—performing the first microsurgical fiber dissections under the operating microscope and developing the aspiration-assisted dissection technique—led to the creation of a systematic instructional method that is now widely adopted. He has taught white matter anatomy to more than 1,000 neurosurgeons worldwide through his courses and laboratory demonstrations.
In 2008, he established the Surgical Neuroanatomy Laboratory at Yeditepe University Hospital, where he continues his work on white matter anatomy. Researchers from various countries come to train in his laboratory. Elected a TÜBA Honorary Member in 2024, Prof. Dr. Türe continues to contribute to international neurosurgery education through the “Istanbul Microneurosurgery Course,” the first to integrate fundamental microsurgery training, white matter dissection education, and live surgery.
Who is Prof. Dr. Fikrettin Şahin?
Born in Erzurum in 1968, Prof. Dr. Fikrettin Şahin graduated first in his class from Atatürk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection in 1989. He received his Master’s degree (1994) and PhD (1997) from The Ohio State University, Department of Plant Pathology.
Between 1997 and 1998, he conducted postdoctoral research in Clinical Microbiology at The University of Western Ontario/Agri-Food, London, Canada. He began his academic career at Atatürk University in 1999 as an assistant professor, became associate professor in 2000, and full professor in 2005.
His scientific work spans the molecular diagnosis and characterization of clinical, foodborne, environmental and plant-origin microorganisms; development of biological formulations with industrial applications; antimicrobial material design; stem cell research; gene therapy; and cancer studies. He has authored 389 scientific articles, 392 conference papers, 26 book chapters, 7 books, and holds 53 patents with over 200 patent applications.
A TÜBA Full Member since 2012, Prof. Dr. Şahin has received 10 Innovation Patent Medals (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 6 Bronze, and 1 Best National Patent). His numerous awards include the Yeditepe University Most Successful Scientist Award (2012–2017), International Alumni Award (USA, 2007), TÜBİTAK Incentive Award (2005), and several prestigious U.S. awards such as The Raymond G. Grogan Travel Award, C. C. Allison Award, and the Dorothy Brickman Leadership Award.
He currently serves as Chair of the Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Director of the Biotechnology Institute, Coordinator of R&D and Analysis Laboratories, and Head of Biocidal and R&D Laboratories at Yeditepe University. In 2013, he was elected to the TÜBA Council, and in 2015 to the Board of Directors of TÜSEB (Türkiye Health Institutes Presidency).