Stories that inspire technology leaders from the children of the Republic

As we approached the 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, we wanted to commemorate the names who left their mark on Türkiye’s technology journey and to inspire their stories. Since the proclamation of the Republic, the Turkish names, which have achieved significant success in the field of science and technology in the last century, continue to inspire today’s children. We share the stories of Turkish inventors, scientists and entrepreneurs who have left their mark in the world of technology on this special day.

Mathematics genius Ord. Prof. Dr. Cahit Arf

Cahit Arf, who was born in 1910 in Thessaloniki and had a childhood before the Republic was founded, is considered one of the most important mathematicians of Türkiye. Arf, who gave his name to international mathematical concepts such as “Arf Unchanged”, “Arf Rings” and “Hasse-Arf Theorem”, served as the president of TUBITAK for many years.

Cahit Arf’s most well -known success was the “Arf Unchanging”, which was developed in 1941 and named after him. This mathematical concept has a very important place in the fields of algebraic topology and algebraic geometry. So much so that this invention has become a source of national pride enough to be included in Turkish banknotes for a period. 7. Emission of 10 pounds on the back of the banknote, this formula of ARF was printed.

Cahit Arf returned to Türkiye after his work at Göttingen University and worked in Istanbul University and METU. Not only with his own research, but also with the students he trained, he contributed to the formation of a strong mathematical infrastructure in Türkiye. The mathematical infrastructure of many technological products we use today has a direct or indirect impact of ARF’s work.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Gazi Yasargil

Gazi Yaşargil, who was born in 1925 and one of the first children of the Republic, is accepted as one of the pioneers of modern neurosurge. Yaşargil’s microsurgical techniques and instruments developed a revolution in neurosurgery and saved millions of patients.

Yaşargil led the development of microscopic techniques and tools used in neurosurgery. For example, the tool, known as the “Yaşargil Clip ve and used to treat brain aneurysms, has become standard worldwide. In addition, the microsurgical techniques developed have made the treatment of brain diseases, which were considered to be inevitable before.

Yaşargil was elected by Journal of Neurosurgery in 1999 by the “Neurosurgian of the Century”. The surgical microscope systems and instruments he developed have grounded in the field of medical technology.

Pioneer in Particle Physics and Space Technologies. Dr. Bilge Demirköz

Born in Istanbul in 1980, Bilge Demirköz serves as a professor at METU Physics Department and as the founder and director of METU Space and Accelerator Technologies Application and Research Center (IVmer).

He completed his physics license and doctorate at the University of Cambridge and worked as a researcher at CERN (European Nuclear Research Center) and played an important role in Türkiye’s cooperation with CERN.

One of Demirköz’s most remarkable works is to examine the effects of radiation in space on electronic devices and develop more resistant technologies for spacecraft. In the laboratory it has established for this purpose, it tests the electronic systems of spacecraft by simulating the conditions encountered in space. These studies make significant contributions to Türkiye’s self -sufficiency target in space technologies.

Demirköz, who was awarded the “Science Award günüm given by TÜBİTAK, received the“ Rising Talent ”award within the scope of UNESCO-L’ORéal International“ Science Women ”program in 2017. At the same time, Demirköz is a member of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), especially in the field of science and technology, especially in the field of science and technology.

Demirköz has played an active role in the establishment of the Turkish Space Agency and is currently working on the agency’s advisory board. It contributes to the shaping of Türkiye’s vision in space with its work that bridges space technologies and basic sciences.

Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar: Nobel Prize -winning scientist who revolutionized DNA repair

Aziz Sancar was born in 1946 as the seventh child of a family with eight children in Mardin and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015 and made Türkiye proud. Sancar was awarded this prestigious award for his work on DNA repair mechanisms.

After graduating from Istanbul Medical Faculty, Sancar, who continued his academic studies in the USA, was known for his work that explains the repair mechanism used by the DNA in case of damage with factors such as ultraviolet rays, known as “nucleotide cutting repair”. This invention led the development of new treatment methods in many areas from cancer treatment to genetic diseases.

Sancar’s “Maksicell” method developed and his research on “biological clock” also gave a breakthrough in the scientific world. In particular, biological clock studies formed the basis of the treatment approach that is known as chronotherapy and calculating the time when drugs were most effective.

Aziz Sancar supports Turkish and American young scientists with his “Aziz and Gwen Sancar Foundation” he founded as well as his scientific studies. Providing scholarships and housing for students from Türkiye, the foundation contributes to the training of new generation leaders in the field of science and technology.

With Polar Codes, Dr. ERDAL ARIKAN

Born in Istanbul in 1958, Erdal Arıkan is known as the name of 5G technology by developing the theory of “polar codes”, which revolutionized communication technologies. Arıkan, a professor at Bilkent University, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, introduced this new coding method to the scientific world with his article published in 2008.

The polar codes developed by Arıkan were the first practical coding method that reached the theoretical limit of Claude Shannon in 1948 in data communication. This invention attracted the attention of telecommunication giants and was adopted in 2016 for 5G standards. Companies such as Huawei, Qualcomm and Samsung began to use this invention of Arıkan in new generation communication technologies.

Erdal Arıkan was awarded the Ieee Richard W. Hamming Medal in 2019 and the “5G Pioneers Award ği given by Huawei in 2018 because of his significant contribution in the scientific world. Arıkan’s invention is critical not only for mobile phones, but also for future technologies such as the Internet of Things, Autonomous Vehicles and Smart Cities.

Pioneer Selcuk Bayraktar in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Born in 1979, Selçuk Bayraktar is known as the architect of Türkiye’s breakthrough in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) technology. After graduating from ITU Electronics and Communication Engineering Department, Bayraktar, who was a master’s degree in MIT and University of Pennsylvania in the USA, returned to Türkiye in 2007 and focused on the development of domestic UAV technologies.

Bayraktar’s coach, Baykar company, Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı, such as worldwide UAVs led the development of UAVs. Especially Bayraktar TB2 has gained an important place in the global defense technologies market with its effectiveness and cost efficiency.

Baykar, led by Selçuk Bayraktar, works not only in the field of defense but also on civil technologies. The company is especially working on artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and flying car projects. The flying car prototype called “Cezeri ği developed by Baykar shows that it will also play an important role in the future of Türkiye.

Bayraktar is also one of the founders of the Turkish Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) and supports young people to receive education in the field of technology. Reaching thousands of young people with activities such as Teknofest, the foundation wants to train new generation leaders in the technological development of Türkiye.

With the technologies that survived the age in medicine. Dr. Canan Dagdeviren

Canan Dağdeviren, who was born in Ankara in 1985, is a world -renowned scientist for his work in the field of electronic devices that can be worn and implanted. After graduating from Hacettepe University Department of Physical Engineering, Dağdeviren was a master’s degree and doctorate at the University of Illinois in the United States.

Dağdeviren, who joined MIT in 2015, became the youngest academician to establish his own research group at MIT Media Lab. One of the most important discoveries of Dağdeviren is a flexible and portable sensor that can be placed on the skin and can detect skin cancer.

It has also developed devices that can be placed on organs that are constantly in motion such as heart and brain. These technologies have the potential to eliminate the need for battery replacement of pacemakers.

In 2018, Dağdeviren, who was selected by Forbes magazine on the list of 30 30 scientists under the age of 30, was also the only Turk to be included in NASA’s “Rising Stars” program. Dagdeviren, who has also been included in the list of “shining young scientists ın by the American Academy of National Sciences, continues to be a source of inspiration in the field of science and technology, especially for young girls.

Although these names, who left their mark on Türkiye’s journey of science and technology, have carried out studies in different fields and in different periods, their common points have always been determined not to give up despite innovative thoughts and difficulties. If we want to share from Cahit Arf to Selçuk Bayraktar, from Gazi Yaşargil to Canan Dağdeviren, there are more to cover the pages.

On April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, we hope that today’s children and young people were able to inspire these success stories. The technology leaders of the future will come out of today’s curious, questioning and dreaming children. It is up to them to carry this legacy further and to make Türkiye a country that produces technology.

Atatürk’s “Little Ladies, Little Gentlemen! You are all a rose, star and ikbal light of the future. You are the one who will suffocate his hometown of light. Work accordingly, thinking how important and valuable you are. We expect a lot from you. ” As the words pointed out, we believe that today’s children will carry our country further as technology leaders of tomorrow.