Professor Toni Kouzaridis was awarded the “Nemitsas 2021” Award, organized for the 9th year by the “Takis and Loukis Nemitsas” Foundation.
Welcoming the ceremony that took place on Thursday night at the Presidential Palace, the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis stated that the purpose of the awards is to reward the excellence and significant action developed by renowned Cypriot scientists for the benefit of the homeland, society and culture. on the other hand, the recognition of this action as an incentive to encourage the younger generation, in order to develop initiatives to address the great challenges of our time.
He added that this year's award is a milestone of special importance, since it is organized for the first time with the participation of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, since the Nemitsa Foundation, as the wish of its founders, has joined the Academy.
Referring to Professor Kouzaridis, he said that with a biography of rich studies and his intensive involvement in the field of research, he managed to chart a distinguished course in academia and science, contributing greatly to the development of medicine and related sciences. A course, as he said, inextricably linked to his vision for the treatment of cancer.
“Professor Kouzaridis, focusing on his targeted research directions, epigenetic modifications and their role in cancer, linked his name to finding effective treatments for specific forms of the disease,” he said.
He added that the important discoveries from his research efforts, combined with the large number of his scientific articles and publications, were the trigger for the creation of the modern era of Epigenetics, while opening new horizons in the efforts to find new drugs.
Equally important, he said, is his selfless contribution, distinct in philanthropy aimed at funding cancer research.
“In this context, his outstanding scientific achievements and his substantial action regarding the development of the object under negotiation, which is beneficial for humanity, fully justify the decision of the judges,” he said.
At the same time, the President expressed the grateful thanks of the State to the Takis and Loukis Nemitsas Foundation.
“Understandably, the Foundation, through the work it performs and the course it has set, stands as a valuable helper and supporter in the efforts we make as a State.
“At the same time, there is no doubt that under the chairmanship of Professor Sotiris Kalogiros and under the administration of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, this course will be even more dynamic,” he said.
He also thanked the International Committee of Judges for the admittedly difficult task of evaluating the candidacies whose distinguished path they follow is the best ambassador of our country.
Finally, he congratulated once again Professor Toni Kouzaridis, who was rightly described as a leader in the field of chromatin modification and its role in transcriptional control and cancer.
Mr. Kouzaridis did not attend the event due to his infection with the coronavirus.
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