BAU Awards Honorary Doctorate to Hotamışlıgil

At a ceremony held today, Bahçeşehir University awarded an honorary doctorate to renowned scientist Prof. Dr. Gökhan Hotamışlıgil, Chair of the Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases at Harvard University, for his groundbreaking discoveries in his field. At the ceremony, attended by distinguished figures from the business and academic worlds, Hotamışlıgil was also presented with the Bahçeşehir University gold badge by Chair of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, BAU President Prof. Dr. Şenay Yalçın said: "Only those who walk the same path know the value of a scientist. With the mission we have taken on as a university on the path of contributing to science and enlightenment, the honor we present with heartfelt warmth to scientists, who are the pride and the virtuous children of humanity, is a mark of appreciation."
 

Receiving the honorary doctorate from Bahçeşehir University Chair of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel and President Prof. Dr. Şenay Yalçın, Hotamışlıgil said in his speech after the ceremony: "I have never seen another university with as rich a cultural fabric as BAU, one that makes you feel like you are with family," adding that the true light and momentum will not be lost as long as young people are in such environments.

 

Working on the molecular mechanisms of obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, Hotamışlıgil and the research team he leads discovered a type of hormone they named "lipokine," seen as a very important step toward solving diabetes, obesity and related diseases, and revealed the mysterious relationship between fats and diabetes. This work has led to the development of new approaches to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, fatty liver disease and asthma, and has received international acclaim for forming the basis of many drug development programs against these diseases in both academia and industry.