The Sabri Ülker Science Award, established by the Sabri Ülker Foundation in 2016 to promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge, was presented to its latest recipient at a distinguished ceremony in Istanbul.

The prestigious Sabri Ülker Science Award, granted to young scientists for their contributions to public health research, was presented this year to Dr. Aydan Bulut Karslıoğlu, leader of the Stem Cell Chromatin Group at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. Dr. Aydan Bulut Karslıoğlu was awarded for her groundbreaking work in stem cell biology and embryonic development, with the award presented by Yıldız Holding Chair Ali Ülker, Yıldız Holding Member of the Board of Directors & Transformation and Technology Leader Yahya Ülker, Prof. Dr. Gökhan Hotamışlıgil, President of the Harvard Sabri Ülker Center and Chair of the Award Jury, Dean of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Andrea Baccarelli and Chairman of Sabri Ülker Foundation Dr. Talat İçöz.

Ali Ülker: “The Innovations of Our Scientists Fuel the Future's Progress.”

Yıldız Holding Chair Ali Ülker emphasized the contribution of the Sabri Ülker Science Award in supporting scientific research and its impact on society and humanity, stating: “Approximately 9 million scientists around the globe are diligently working to tackle the challenges facing humanity and enhance quality of life. The beneficial impacts of these endeavors are observable on a global scale. According to data from the World Health Organization, human life expectancy has significantly increased over the past century. In the early 1900s, the average lifespan ranged from 31 to 40 years, while by the 2000s, it has risen to between 75 and 80 years in developed nations. This remarkable progress can be attributed to advancements in early disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the human life cycle. Through the Sabri Ülker Science Award, we take pride in supporting these essential initiatives and encouraging our young scientists. Their dedicated efforts not only illuminate the present but also pave the way for the future. This award serves not only as a recognition of their contributions but also as a platform for fostering innovative ideas and facilitating the realization of groundbreaking projects in the scientific arena. Between 2010 and 2020, around 26.4 million scientific articles were published worldwide, reflecting the swift expansion of scientific knowledge. Our commitment is to inspire young researchers, empowering them to achieve new discoveries and shape humanity's future. As Yıldız Holding and the Ülker family, we remain steadfast in our support for young scientists who devote themselves to advancing science and providing invaluable service to our nation and the global community.”

Prof. Dr. Gökhan Hotamışlıgil: “We Take Pride in the Global Success of Our Young Scientists”

In his address, Prof. Dr. Gökhan Hotamışlıgil, Director of the Harvard Sabri Ülker Center, emphasized the significance of the Sabri Ülker Foundation's ongoing commitment to supporting scientific research. He remarked, “Achieving success in scientific research necessitates considerable time and resources. It is crucial to encourage all scientists and recognize their accomplishments throughout this lengthy and demanding journey. The 9th Sabri Ülker Science Award allows us to honor young Turkish scientists each year for their remarkable discoveries across diverse fields. I extend my congratulations to Dr. Aydan Bulut Karslıoğlu, who has been awarded this year for her groundbreaking research on 'diapause,' a mechanism that enables cells and organisms to optimize energy and food resource utilization, thereby adapting to sustain life.” Prof. Hotamışlıgil also expressed gratitude to the Ülker family and the Sabri Ülker Foundation for their support of scientific endeavors, and he conveyed his hope that Dr. Karslıoğlu would leverage this motivation to further her research.

Dr. Aydan Bulut Karslıoğlu: “It is an honor to have our efforts to uncover the mysteries of stem cells and embryos recognized”

Dr. Aydan Bulut Karslıoğlu, this year’s recipient of the Sabri Ülker Science Award, stated: “On behalf of my entire team, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Sabri Ülker Foundation and the jury members for honoring the pioneering research of young scientists with this esteemed award. It is a great source of pride and motivation for us to have our research recognized for its investigation of the genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic changes that occur in embryos during the first few days of life. Research in embryonic stem cells has already resulted in substantial progress in both science and disease treatment, and it will continue to guide the development of stem cell therapies moving forward. The award I have received signifies not only recognition of individual accomplishment but also appreciation for the vital contributions that science makes to advancing public health.”

A research with the Potential to Revolutionize Disease Prevention

Numerous mammalian species have evolved an intriguing survival mechanism that involves pausing the development of their embryos in response to harsh environmental conditions. This mechanism, referred to as diapause, enables these species to suspend embryonic development during adverse circumstances, such as food scarcity, and to resume it once conditions improve. During this period, stem cells maintain their potential for differentiation; however, the processes by which this memory is encoded and preserved during dormancy remain unclear. Scientists are focused on uncovering the mechanisms involved in the initiation, maintenance, and reactivation of diapause.

Embryonic diapause has been observed in several mammalian species. Although it is still uncertain whether similar mechanisms are present in humans, Dr. Bulut Karslıoğlu's team has recently suggested that human cells may also possess the capacity for diapause. It is established that cellular dormancy contributes to the functioning of the human body, with dormant stem cells acting as a reservoir for tissue regeneration and repair. Consequently, Dr. Bulut Karslıoğlu's research also has the potential to further enhance investigations into cellular dormancy in other contexts.

Regarding the research, Dr. Aydan Bulut Karslıoğlu remarked, “We aspire for our embryonic system to act as a foundation for essential discoveries that are relevant not only to us but also to other dormancy systems.”

Who Is Dr. Aydan Bulut Karslıoğlu?

Aydan Bulut Karslıoğlu received her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering with a minor in biology from Middle East Technical University (METU) in 2006. From 2006 to 2008, she conducted master's research in molecular biology and genetics at Bilkent University. In 2008, she joined the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg, Germany, for her doctoral studies. By 2013, Dr. Bulut Karslıoğlu transitioned to the University of California, San Francisco, to pursue her postdoctoral research. In 2018, she established her independent research laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. Over the past few years, she has received several prestigious awards, including the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award, the Emmy Noether Fund, and the European Research Council Fund. Dr. Aydan Bulut Karslıoğlu currently leads the Stem Cell Chromatin Group at the same institute. Her scientific contributions to molecular biology, illuminating vital biological processes, have been published in leading international journals and are regarded as “inspirational” for the upcoming generation of scientists.

About the Sabri Ülker Science Award

Since 2016, the Sabri Ülker Science Award has been presented to promote fundamental research in the fields of nutrition, metabolism, and public health, conducted by young Turkish scientists in Turkey and around the world. Recognized as one of the most esteemed awards for emerging scientists, the Sabri Ülker Science Award applications are assessed against criteria including “scientific innovation, discovery of new mechanisms, promotion of nutritional health and healthy lifestyles in society, and feasibility and applicability.”

The recipients of the Sabri Ülker Science Award to date include: Assoc. Prof. Kıvanç Birsoy, Assoc. Prof. Ebru Erbay, Assoc. Prof. Ömer Yılmaz, Assoc. Prof. Tamer Önder, Assoc. Prof. Elçin Ünal, Assoc. Prof. Elif Nur Fırat Karalar, Assoc. Prof. Nilay Yapıcı, and Assoc. Prof. Elvan Böke.