Professor Ayşın Bakkaloğlu passed away at the age of 80, on July 18, 2023 at her home in Ankara, Türkiye, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Istanbul, Dr. Bakkaloğlu graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1967 and completed her residency in pediatrics at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1971. She worked at the University of Glasgow Pediatric Nephrology—Western Infirmary Transplantation Unit from 1975 to 1977. She then returned to the Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Hacettepe University, where she worked until the end of her career.

Dr. Bakkaloğlu was one of the pioneers in the field of pediatric nephrology and rheumatology in Türkiye. At Hacettepe University, she established the first laboratory unit on complement system of the center and dedicated significant effort to establishing the Nephrogenetics Laboratory prior to her retirement. Her career was devoted to enhancing the well-being of children and adolescents suffering from kidney and rheumatological diseases. She made significant contributions especially to familial Mediterranean fever, vasculitides, hereditary kidney diseases, and the progression and management of chronic kidney diseases. She was a co-founder of the Turkish Society for Pediatric Nephrology (President from 2003 to 2005) and the Turkish Society for Pediatric Rheumatology.

Dr. Bakkaloğlu’s contributions to the field gained international recognition across various domains. She was the first Turkish Council Member selected for the International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) (2001–2007). She also played an important role during the formation of the Southeastern European Pediatric Nephrology Working Group (SEPNWG) and organized the first SEPNWG meeting (Istanbul, June 14–15, 2001). Dr. Bakkaloğlu also served as a Council Member of the European Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ESPN) (2003–2005). Upon Professor Jochen Ehrich’s proposal, Istanbul was chosen for the 39th Annual Meeting of the ESPN. Dr. Bakkaloğlu served as the Congress President with Professor Franz Schaefer as Head of Scientific Committee, which turned out to be an outstanding scientific meeting held between September 10 and 13, 2005, attended by professionals from 60 countries, and she was awarded the Golden Kidney.

Dr. Bakkaloğlu also played a crucial role in fostering international collaborations aimed at enhancing the understanding of kidney diseases and promoting the exchange of knowledge in the field. Alongside Professor Otto Mehls, she was instrumental in fostering cooperation among Turkish centers for the ESCAPE trial, which led to the successful integration of multiple Turkish centers into the ESCAPE consortium.

Dr. Bakkaloğlu consistently provided support to her junior colleagues; more than ten of her students/fellows became leading pediatric nephrologists and rheumatologists in Türkiye. Dr. Bakkaloğlu authored more than 300 publications in pediatric nephrology and rheumatology. As a prominent academic, she was repeatedly named among the top scientists in Türkiye and was listed among the most influential hundred thousand scientists in the world.

Dr. Bakkaloğlu is survived by her husband of 53 years, Professor Dr. Mehmet Bakkaloğlu, their two daughters Pınar and İpek, and three grandchildren Can, Zeynep Su, and Ece, as well as her brother Aydın Tanyel. The couple met as medical students in Istanbul University and became lifelong partners. Their passion for science, lifelong learning, as well as aiding others spilled over to their offspring and their families. All members of the extended family are either medical doctors or academics, proudly following the path illuminated by their late mother.

Beyond her professional pursuits, she had a fondness for travel and a passion for art, particularly in collecting paintings from renowned Turkish artists. With a keen sense of style, she enjoyed shopping not just for herself but also for her loved ones. After retiring, surrounded by her loving family and grandchildren, she continued inspiring and mentoring all who had the opportunity to work with and/or be supervised by her. She has left an incredible legacy from which all of us can learn.

We are grateful to “Ayşın Hoca” for her outstanding contributions to our society and for her unique and caring mentorship for our careers and lives. As the pediatric nephrology and rheumatology community, we will miss her enlightening wisdom and charming personality.

Rezan Topaloglu and Ali Düzova, on behalf of the faculty members at the Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye.