Physicists Serim and Ömer Ilday receive most prestigious research award in Europe separately

Two people in the same family have received the most prestigious science award in Europe, separately. To make an analogy, this is like, biggest lottery prize hitting the same house twice at one time. Certainly these prizes came not by luck, but owing to hard work.

ILDAY couple, lecturers at Bilkent University have shared their plans how and where to use the total prize of 4 million euros (67 million pounds), and talked about how the production in the same areas reflected on their homes and marriages.

How much can you support each other?

We support each other a lot, both in life and in research. We’re like teammates in full sync. We have understood this better and developed it further, especially during the pandemic process. For one thing, we exchange ideas about our research every day. This is the greatest pleasure, and thanks to this, both of our ideas become deeper and richer. Besides, we also share all kinds of household wwork. When we enter an intense work pace, the other one immediately provides support during trips or in cases of illness. Thanks to this, we have created a beautiful work-life balance.

SERIM WILL WORK ON DYNAMIC AND ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS

Serim says with said fund she will explore which dynamic and adaptive systems to choose when faced with multiple options and the reasons for this. She says, “Dynamic and adaptive systems are systems that we see around us that we cannot fully understand, control, and make future predictions about. For example, every system categorized as biology, economics, ecology, sociology meets under this roof.”

OMAR TO DEVELOP ULTRAFAST LASER

Her husband Omar on the other hand, will develop an ultrafast laser that is conceptually very different from what has been done so far.

Umar’s dream is that if he can create a crystal from light, this will be the fastest and high-frequency laser ever made. Such a laser will have numerous applications in laser surgery, three-dimensional printers, metal or glass processing by industry, and many more. However, what excites him even more will be his conceptual innovation