He completed his undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, and received his doctorate in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

[3] While at MIT, Turner was a co-founder and one of the first co-chairs of the university's Black Students' Union, along with fellow students Charles Kidwell, Shirley Ann Jackson, Ronald E. Mickens, Sekazi Mtingwa, Jennifer Rudd, Nathan Seely, and Linda Sharpe.

In 1968, the group issued the following demands to the MIT administration: "an increase in the number of black students and staff, as well as support for these students; the formation of a pre-freshman summer program (Project Interphase); and the development of a Task Force on Educational Opportunity.

"[4][2] After completing his doctoral studies, Turner was on the faculty of Southern University and Morehouse College in the physics department.

[8] He is currently director of the Daniel Alexander Payne Community Development Corporation Percy Julian Institute.