Adam Cohen receives Dr. Saal van Zwanenberg Honorary Prize
Professor of Clinical Pharmacology Adam Cohen from Leiden University received the prestigious Dr. Saal van Zwanenberg Honorary Prize on 12 November. The prize honours a scientist who has distinguished themselves in the field of research that has directly or indirectly led to the development of new medicines or the surrounding processes. Leiden master’s student Kelvin Groot is the first winner of the Research Prize of the same name.
According to the jury, Cohen is more than a scientist. The jury considers Cohen’s achievement unique because he, ‘has succeeded with clever combinations of public and private contributions in building an independent institute of high international standing, the Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR) in Leiden.’ Cohen was the director of the CHDR, at the Bio Science Park, for 30 years.
Winning master’s students
The jury was impressed with the high quality of the 26 entries for the Research Prizes. The three winning master’s students are Kelvin Groot (Leiden University, first prize), Jonne Terstappen (Utrecht University, second prize) and July Alberts (University of Groningen, third prize).
NKI awards internship a mark of 10
Groot was awarded a 10 for his internship at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI). This was the first time in 40 years that Prof. René Bernards, who assessed his internship, had awarded this mark. Kelvin has helped understand the factors that lead to resistance to indisulam, an existing cancer drug.
According to the jury, Kelvin is a very deserving winner: ‘His scientific rigour, hard work and enormous motivation were exceptional.’ The prize is 3,000 euros.
Focus on medicinal drugs
The KHMW and the Dr. Saal van Zwanenberg Foundation award the Honorary Prize of 25,000 euros once every two years. The Foundation also awards three annual Research Prizes for master’s students, in the field of pharmaceutical and/or medical sciences with a focus on medicinal drugs.
Photos: Hilde de Wolf.