Rahmi M. Koç Medal of Science, full name KOÇ UNIVERSITY RAHMI M. KOÇ MEDAL OF SCIENCE, an award program initiated in 2016 by Koç University to “encourage the development of science by rewarding successful, leading scientists of Turkish origin aged under fifty, who have contributed to the accumulation of universal knowledge in Turkey and abroad.” The prize is awarded for different categories in alternate years, with science, engineering and medicine in one year and administration, economics, social sciences, humanities and law in another. Medal nominations are determined by a committee of experts in the relevant fields, who are chosen by Koç University.
In 2016, the inaugural medal was awarded to Professor Aydoğan Özcan from the University of California (UCLA) and Howard Hughes Health Institute for his “outstanding fundamental scientific contribution to computational imaging, microscopy and photonics, and the development of innovative technologies for telemedicine, medical sensing and diagnostic applications.”
In 2017, the medal for administration, economics, social sciences, humanities, and law was awarded to Professor Daron Acemoğlu of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for his “trailblazing contribution to the fields of macro economic growth and development, labor economics and political economy”.
Presented in 2018 in the category of science, engineering and medical sciences, the Medal was awarded to Prof. Metin Sitti for his pioneer work in the fields of micro and nano biomedical robotic technologies and outstanding contributions to human health.