BANGKOK, Thailand – The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage on 21 November 2024 held a press conference at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok to announce the Prince Mahidol Award Laureates for 2024, in the fields of Medicine and Public Health.
The announcement was made by Professor Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, as Vice President of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation. Also attending the press conference were Mr. Sam Beckwith, Regional Director of Health Cooperation as representative of the British Ambassador to Thailand, and Mr. Dick Custin, Counsellor for Public Affairs as representative of the United States Ambassador to Thailand.
The Prince Mahidol Award 2024 in the field of Medicine was awarded to Professor Dr. Tony Hunter, Ph.D. from the United Kingdom and the United States, for his discovery of tyrosine kinase enzymes and the phosphorylation process. It led to the development of targeted cancer treatments (targeted therapy) and drugs that can effectively inhibit cancer cells.
In the field of Public Health, Professor Dr. Jonathan P. Shepherd, D.D.S.c., Ph.D. from the United Kingdom, was awarded the prize for his creation of the “Cardiff Model of Violence Prevention,” which is a public health tool and innovation for reducing community violence.
On this occasion, the representatives of the British Ambassador to Thailand and the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand expressed their gratitude for the honor of their citizens’ being selected as laureates of the Prince Mahidol awards for 2024. They also highlighted the public health collaboration that the United Kingdom and the United States share with Thailand and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening these ties in the future.
The Prince Mahidol Award is the award established in honor of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla as “The Father of Modern Medicine and Public Health of Thailand.” The award recognizes individuals and institutions with outstanding and exemplary contributions to the advancement of the international medical and public health services.
The Prince Mahidol Award comprises (1) certificates, (2) medals, and (3) prize money of 100,000 US dollars each. The Award Presentation Ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace on 30 January 2025. (PRD)
