The stories behind Hub RTP’s street names represent the creative collision embedded in the ideals Research Triangle Park was founded upon. Each street was named for a Nobel-awarded scientist whose collective discoveries paved the way for continued growth in the Park and the Triangle Region while offering advancements to the science and medical research community.
Converging in the center of the Hub RTP campus, you will find Sancar Way and Modrich Boulevard. These streets are named after Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar– two remarkable scientists who were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015.
Paul Modrich, an American biochemist, was born in Raton, New Mexico, in 1946. He received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and later earned his Ph.D. in chemical biology from Stanford University. Modrich’s primary focus has been on unraveling the intricate mechanisms by which cells repair errors during DNA replication. His groundbreaking research has led to a profound comprehension of the genetic underpinnings of cancer and has made significant contributions to the advancement of cancer therapies. Notably, in 2022, Paul Modrich retired from his position as a biochemistry professor at Duke University.
Aziz Sancar, is a Turkish-American biochemist who was born in 1946 in Savur, Turkey. He received his medical degree from Istanbul University and his Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology from The University of Texas at Dallas. His research has focused on understanding how cells repair damage caused by ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to skin cancer. Today, Sancar is a professor of biochemistry and biophysics at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His work on DNA repair and the mapping of the genome has had a significant impact on the scientific community in the region. His work has also helped to establish the University of North Carolina as a leading research institution in the field of molecular biology.
The discoveries of Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar have been instrumental in the creation of new cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Both scientists have contributed to developing the Triangle as a hub for biotechnology and life sciences research.
Check out these resources to learn more about Paul Modrich’s work:
Check out these resources to learn more about Aziz Sancar’s work: