The Prince Mahidol Award Laureates 2020 and 2021

January 26^th, 2022, at 09:30 am, the Prince Mahidol Awards Laureates, namely, Professor Dr. Valentin Fuster, the 2020 PMA Laureate in the field of Medicine, Dr.Bernard Pécoul, the 2020 PMA Laureate in the field of Public Health, along with Associate Professor Dr. Katalin Karikó, Professor Dr. Drew Weissman, and Professor Dr. Pieter Cullis, the 2021 PMA Laureates in the field of Medicine arrived at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. The laureates received a warm welcome from Professor Dr.Prasit Watanapa, the Vice-Chairman of Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, along with faculty executives. As a tradition, the PMA Laureates paid the official visit to the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, the host and founder of Prince Mahidol Award (PMA), and delivered special lectures demonstrating their exemplary contributions to the world of medical sciences and public health.

Upon arrival at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital at 09:30 am, the PMA laureates paid respect to the statue of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, before having a group photo with the executive members of the Faculty.

At 09:45 am, Sirindhorn Conference Room, Chalermprakiet Building, G floor, Professor Dr.Prasit Watanapa, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, delivered a welcoming remark and a brief introduction of PMA2020 and 2021 Laureates in Meet-the-Press Session. After that, Professor Dr. Valentin Fuster, (the 2020 PMA Laureate in the field of Medicine), Dr.Bernard Pécoul, (the 2020 PMA Laureate in the field of Public Health), Associate Professor Dr. Katalin Karikó, Professor Dr. Drew Weissman, and Professor Dr. Pieter Cullis (the 2021 PMA Laureates in the field of Medicine) elaborated on their outstanding achievements which could be the exemplary contributions to the advancement of the medical and public health services in Thailand as well as to provide the great inspiration to the young generations.

At 11:45 am, the laureates were escorted to visit the Prince Mahidol Hall of Fame at Syamindhra Building, 2^nd floor, to appreciate the collection of Prince Mahidol’s rare possessions with his royal duty and his tremendous contributions to the modern Medicine in Thailand.

At 12:00 pm, the Laureates attended the Faculty Luncheon hosted by the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital in honoring their significant contribution and achievement at Chulabhorn Conference room, Syamindra Building, 2^nd floor.

At 01:30 pm, the Laureates granted the special lectures (onsite and via the online platform) demonstrating their significant contributions to the benefits of humankind at the Rachapanaddasirindhorn Auditorium, Srisavarindira Building, G Floor. The special lectures were started with the topic “From The Circulating Platelet to The Promotion of Health” delivered by Professor Dr. Valentin Fuster; followed by “Modern medicine: a triumph of science, but a defeat for access?” delivered by Dr.Bernard Pécoul; “Developing mRNA for therapy” delivered by Associate Professor Dr. Katalin Karikó; “Nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP Vaccines” delivered by Professor Dr. Drew Weissman; and “Lipid nanoparticles and Covid-19 mRNA vaccines” delivered by Professor Dr. Pieter Cullis, respectively. The special lectures were witnessed by the audiences, including Siriraj medical students, residents, medical staff, nurses, and allied health personnel.

The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej was established in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, on January 1^st, 1992. The Foundation is under the Royal Patronage, with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as the president. The Foundation annually confers two Prince Mahidol Awards upon the individual(s) or institution(s), which have demonstrated outstanding and exemplary contributions to advancing the world’s medical and public health services. Each award consists of a medal, a certificate, and a sum of U.S. $100,000.

His Majesty, the King of Thailand, has graciously designated Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to preside over the Ceremony of the Prince Mahidol Award 2020 and 2021 at the Chakri Throne Hall, The Grand Palace on Thursday, January 27^th, 2022 at 05:30 pm.