Congratulations for US researchers awarded in Thailand

BANGKOK, Feb 2 (TNA) – U.S. embassy to Thailand hosted a reception on the occasion that US research teams were awarded the prestigious Prince Mahidol Awards on January 31 in Bangkok. The awards, presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, recognized the two teams’ remarkable achievements in the fields of medicine and public health. In the field of medicine, the US National Human Genome Research Institute was awarded for its work to map the entirety of the human genome. This collaborative effort, led by the United States, but including researchers from 20 institutions in six countries, enabled subsequent waves of new and important medical research. Dr Eric Green accepted the award on behalf of the Institute. In the field of public health, the U.S. research team of Professor Porter W Anderson, Jr, Dr John B Robbins, Dr Rachel Schneerson, and Professor Mathuram Santosham were honored for their important work in developing a vaccine to help prevent childhood meningitis. US ambassador to Thailand, Glyn T Davies congratulated researchers and doctors for their success. He also lauded Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, grandfather of His Majesty Rama X for his dedications to establish a modern medical school in Thailand and improve standards of medical care in Thailand. Prince Mahidol studied public health and medicine in the United States at MIT and Harvard. He is Thailadn’s Father of Modern Medicine and an exemplar for his contribution to develop his country’s public health systems. Davies also said the United States of America and the Kingdom of Thailand celebrate 200 years of friendship. The longstanding health cooperation between two countries continues to be a key component of the relationship. About 20 percent of embassy staff work to support collaborative efforts in medicine and health, which plays a great role in helping Thailand become the first country in Asia to prevent mother-to -child HIV transmission. The US hopes to cooperate further with Thailand in the fields, he added. (TNA)