Prof. Dr. Aykut Kence is a biologist known in Türkiye for his scientific contributions in evolutionary biology and population genetics, as well as for his efforts in communicating scientific knowledge to the public. He played a significant role in shaping modern biology education in Türkiye and in defending the theory of evolution at the academic level. He spent the majority of his academic career at Middle East Technical University (METU), mentoring numerous students and authoring dozens of national and international publications.

Aykut Kence was born on 27 August 1946 in Istanbul. He received his primary education at Karaahmet Paşa Primary School (1958), secondary education at Şehremini Middle School (1961), and high school education at Pertevniyal High School (1964). He graduated from the Department of Biology at Istanbul University Faculty of Science in 1968. He completed his PhD in 1973 at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. R. R. Sokal. In the same year, he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Houston.

In 1974, he began his academic career as an instructor in the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Science, Middle East Technical University (METU). He was promoted to assistant professor in 1975, associate professor in 1980, and full professor in 1989. He served as department head from 1977 to 1979 and again from 1988 to 1994. He retired in 2013.

Prof. Dr. Aykut Kence’s scientific output is pioneering in the fields of evolutionary biology and population genetics in Türkiye. His research encompasses both fundamental scientific questions and applied studies aimed at conserving local ecosystems.

His main areas of expertise include genetic variation, population structure, sexual behavior, evolutionary processes, and conservation of biological diversity. Throughout his academic career, he worked with a wide range of organisms, including the fruit fly (Drosophila), the housefly (Musca domestica), the honeybee (Apis mellifera), termites, chickpeas (Cicer species), the tsetse fly, and various mammals.

Kence led the development of population genetics research in Türkiye. He conducted studies on sex determination mechanisms, sexual isolation, and heritable behaviors in houseflies. These studies are significant for demonstrating the influence of genetic diversity on behavioral isolation.

From the 1990s onward, he investigated the genetic, morphometric, and behavioral characteristics of honeybee populations in Türkiye. He identified distinct local bee strains across different regions of Anatolia and advocated for the preservation of this diversity. His research serves as a foundational reference for the conservation of Turkey’s bee genetic resources and the development of apiculture policies.

Kence worked to ensure that the theory of evolution was accurately and scientifically integrated into biology curricula. During the 1980s and 1990s, he actively raised public awareness in response to growing anti-evolutionary discourse. He initiated the course “Introduction to Evolution” at METU to introduce evolutionary biology to prospective teachers. He also served as translation editor for the Turkish edition of Douglas Futuyma’s book Evolution.

Following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, he investigated the effects of radiation levels in Türkiye on public health. Working with a scientific team that analyzed radiation levels in Black Sea tea, he contributed to both academic and public awareness on this issue.

Kence authored over 180 academic publications, including nine books, national conference proceedings, articles in international journals, translated works, and instructional texts. He presented at numerous national and international conferences and held various roles within academic communities.

• President of the Turkish Biologists Association (1988–1992)
• Editor of the Turkish Journal of Zoology (1991–2006)
• Member of the Turkish Entomological Society
• Secretary of the TÜBİTAK Basic Sciences Research Group (1988–1989)

• Public Health Service Award, Ankara Medical Association, Turkish Medical Association (1988)
• International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology Award (1988)
• Türkiye Ecopathology Award (1996)
• METU Outstanding Achievement Awards (2000, 2003, 2005, 2006)
• TÜBA Translation Award for Textbooks (2008)

Since 2014, Prof. Dr. Aykut Kence’s legacy has been honored annually through the “Aykut Kence Evolution Conferences.” Additionally, the “Aykut Kence Student Award,” presented by the Association for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, continues to uphold his scientific heritage.

He collaborated on numerous academic projects with his wife, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Meral Kence. A father of two children, Kence passed away on 1 February 2014 at the age of 67.