Professor Durmuş Ali Demir Memorial Award | Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences

This award honors the legacy of Professor Durmuş Ali Demir, a distinguished theoretical physicist, by recognizing outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who excel in their coursework and research within the basic sciences at FENS.

Professor Demir served as a full-time professor at Sabancı University in Istanbul, Turkey, from September 2019 until his passing on February 24, 2024. Before joining Sabancı University, he was a professor of physics at the İzmir Institute of Technology (2003–2019), where he focused on high-energy physics, addressing topics such as naturalness, the cosmological constant problem, and LHC phenomenology. He also taught courses in quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and particle physics, sharing his extensive knowledge with students.

Between 2006 and 2008, Professor Demir was an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg, Germany. Earlier in his career, he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Minnesota (2000–2003), exploring the Higgs particle and higher-dimensional theories, and at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (1998–2000), investigating CP and flavor violations. He earned his doctoral degree in 1995 and his master’s degree in 1993, both at Middle East Technical University, specializing in theoretical physics.

Professor Durmuş Ali Demir's passion for theoretical physics, dedication to his students, and remarkable contributions as a researcher, teacher, and mentor left a lasting impact on the scientific community.

Undergraduate Candidates:
Open to undergraduate students at Sabancı University who are enrolled in physics, chemistry, or mathematics minor programs. Candidates must have completed at least four courses within the relevant minor program, including at least two required courses. Additionally, they must have a minimum minor GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
Graduate Candidates:
Open to graduate students carrying out research in the basic sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Molecular Biology) at Sabancı University. Candidates must have conducted significant research that advances knowledge in their field, supported by relevant documentation and recommendation letters confirming their major contributions. Preference will be given to students whose work demonstrates originality, depth, and potential for groundbreaking applications or discoveries.

The recipient(s) will receive a monetary prize and a certificate of recognition.
The monetary prize will be determined by the FENS Dean’s Office for each academic year.
The monetary prize will be allocated as follows: one-third for undergraduate candidates and two-thirds for graduate candidates. If multiple recipients are selected, the prize will be divided proportionally. The committee reserves the right to split the award based on its evaluation of the candidates' credentials and their significance.
The award may be presented to more than one recipient or withheld for a given academic year, based on the evaluation committee's decision.
The award will be presented during the academic graduation ceremony by a representative of the FENS Research Awards Committee or the Dean of FENS.

Candidates may be nominated by faculty members, lecturers, or research supervisors, or they may self-nominate. Each nomination must include the following:
For Undergraduate candidates:
- A letter of recommendation addressing the candidate’s academic achievements and scientific research potential in the relevant minor program. The letter can be provided by the lecturer of a course in one of the minor programs that the candidate is taking or has completed. Additional recommendation letters can also be presented by the candidate in support of their application.
- An official, up-to-date academic transcript.
- Additional documents showcasing the undergraduate candidate's research activities may be included.
For Graduate candidates:
- Two letters of recommendation emphasizing the originality, impact, and theoretical contributions of the candidate’s research.
- A description of up to two original works (1 page per work) submitted for award consideration accompanied by the original copies or proof of the works. You can submit the original copies or proof of works as supporting documents.
For All candidates:
- The candidate’s curriculum vitae (CV).

For the 2024–2025 academic year, all nominations must be submitted by Friday, April 4, 2025. Submission details (email or webpage link) will be provided in due course.

The Selection Committee evaluates the candidates and nominees for the award.
The Selection Committee will consist of five faculty members from diverse disciplines in the natural sciences and mathematics. The committee may include members from outside Sabancı University, with membership changing annually.
The FENS Research Awards Committee will oversee the formation and operations of the selection committee to ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation process.
Undergraduate candidates will be assessed primarily based on their coursework performance and related activities. Graduate candidates will be evaluated on the quality, significance, and originality of their submitted research work.
Once announced, the committee’s decision will be final, and no objections will be entertained.

Applications for the Professor Durmuş Ali Demir Memorial Award for Excellence in Studies of Basic Sciences are now open!

Click here to register your interest in competing. The registration deadline is Friday, April 4, 2025.

Submit Application