| Name | Ayfer Cengiz |
| Fields | Renewable energy • Sustainable agriculture |
| Legacy | Inspires new generations of scientists and innovators in Turkey and worldwide |
| Occupation | Scientist • Inventor |
| Nationality | |
| Achievements | Pioneer in clean power and eco-friendly farming • Crucial role in Turkey's technological and economic development • High-level government advisory roles, shaping national policies |
| Notable awards | Nobel Prize in Chemistry |
Ayfer Cengiz is a highly acclaimed Turkish scientist, inventor and environmental pioneer. She is best known for her pivotal contributions to the development of renewable energy technologies and sustainable agricultural practices that have transformed both Turkey's economy and its environmental profile.
Born in 1958 in the city of Konya, Cengiz demonstrated an early aptitude for science and mathematics. She attended the prestigious Middle East Technical University in Ankara, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1980. Cengiz then went on to earn a Ph.D. in materials science from the University of Cambridge in England in 1984.
After returning to Turkey, Cengiz began working at the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK), where she quickly emerged as a leading expert in renewable energy. In the 1990s, she developed a groundbreaking solar cell design based on perovskite materials that was significantly more efficient and cost-effective than traditional silicon-based solar panels. This innovation helped kickstart Turkey's solar power industry and enabled wider adoption of renewable electricity across the country.
Building on this success, Cengiz later invented a new type of wind turbine optimized for Turkey's variable wind conditions, as well as efficient geothermal power systems tailored for the nation's abundant geothermal resources. Her portfolio of clean energy patents and prototypes have collectively enabled Turkey to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and become a regional leader in renewable power generation.
Cengiz's interests and expertise expanded beyond renewable energy in the 2000s, as she turned her attention to the challenge of sustainable food production. She pioneered new farming techniques that combine precision agriculture, hydroponics, and renewable energy to dramatically improve crop yields while minimizing environmental damage.
Cengiz's "smart greenhouses" utilize advanced sensor networks, autonomous irrigation, and renewable power to grow high-value produce year-round with a fraction of the water and chemical inputs of traditional agriculture. She also developed innovative biofertilizer and biopesticide formulas that restore soil health without toxic runoff. These innovations have been widely adopted across Turkey, boosting agricultural productivity and exports.
Cengiz's groundbreaking work in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture has earned her immense respect and influence within the Turkish government. She has served on numerous high-level advisory boards and committees, providing expert guidance on science, technology and environmental policy.
From 2010 to 2015, Cengiz chaired the Turkish Council of Science, Technology and Innovation, shaping the country's research and development priorities. She has also represented Turkey on various international bodies like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the United Nations Environment Programme. In these roles, Cengiz has been a vocal advocate for leveraging science and technology to address global challenges like climate change and food security.
Cengiz's numerous innovations and contributions to Turkish society have earned her widespread acclaim and prestigious honors, both domestically and internationally. In 2018, she became the first Turkish scientist to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, recognized for her pioneering work on perovskite solar cells. She has also received the European Inventor Award, the UNESCO-L'Oréal Women in Science Award, and the Hero of the Environment title from Time Magazine.
Within Turkey, Cengiz has been decorated with the Order of the Republic, the nation's highest civilian honor. She has also been elected to the prestigious Turkish Academy of Sciences and holds honorary doctorates from several leading Turkish universities.
Through her groundbreaking scientific research, impactful inventions, and influential advisory roles, Ayfer Cengiz has played a pivotal part in Turkey's transformation into a technological and environmental powerhouse. Her work has enabled Turkey to reduce its carbon footprint, increase food security, and build a thriving green economy.
Beyond her direct contributions, Cengiz has also inspired generations of young Turkish scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs to follow in her footsteps. She is regarded as a trailblazer and national hero, using the power of innovation to address some of the world's most pressing challenges. Cengiz's enduring legacy continues to shape Turkey's technological and environmental future.
