The 22nd Keio Medical Science Prize Award Ceremony was held on Thursday, November 30 at Kitasato Hall, Shinanomachi Campus. The Keio Medical Science Prize is awarded to researchers in Japan and abroad, who have made outstanding and creative achievements in the fields of medical and life sciences, and from whom significant activity can be expected in the future. Awarded by the Keio University Medical Science Fund since 1996, it is the only prize of its kind awarded by a Japanese university. Seven prize laureates have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.
This year’s recipients were Dr. John E. Dick, professor at the University of Toronto, for his achievements in “Identification of Cancer Stem Cells” and Dr. Seiji Ogawa, Research Professor at Kansei Fukushi Research Center in Tohoku Fukushi University, for his achievements in “Development of Functional MRI.”
The formal tone of the ceremony was set by a sweeping performance by the Keio University Wagner Society Orchestra. Prof. Hideyuki Okano, Dean of the Graduate School of Medicine and Chairman of the Keio Medical Science Prize Selection Committee, reported on the rigorous discussion to decide this year’s recipients by the selection committee, which is comprised of members from both within and outside Keio University, and gave an introduction of the two recipients. Then, President Akira Haseyama conferred the medals and certificates to Prof. Dick and Dr. Ogawa before giving a congratulatory address.
Noriko Miyagawa, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, also gave her felicitations, and finally, the recipients took turns at the podium to express their joy at receiving the award. They spoke of their research thus far and conveyed their appreciation to all those involved as well as their dedication to continue their research.
At the commemorative lectures that followed, Dean of the School of Medicine Prof. Masayuki Amagai began with a small speech followed by lectures by both prize winners. More than 300 attendees, including invited guests, Keio faculty and staff members, and students, filled the hall to capacity. They listened intently and participated in a lively question and answer session after each lecture.
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Learn more about the prize winners and their research themes
Keio University Medical Science Fund