The 2024 Executive Yuan Award for Outstanding Science and Technology Contribution was presented Dec. 18 in Taipei City to four local academics for their enhancement of human health and global civilization.
During the presentation ceremony, Premier Cho Jung-tai praised the recipients for success in their respective fields of medical research. Citing President Lai Ching-te’s training as a physician, Cho said government policy goals are to build a healthy, balanced and united Taiwan for all. It is hoped that the award will inspire the younger generation to emulate these outstanding medical experts, he added.
According to the EY, recipient Thierry Pierre Robert Burnouf, Taipei Medical University College of Biomedical Engineering professor, is an expert in plasmapheresis and former advisor to the World Health Organization. His innovative research in the development of revolutionary blood-based treatment products has served as a cornerstone to prevent human immunodeficiency viruses and hemophilia, as well as treating Ebolavirus and other respiratory diseases. The French native is the first naturalized Taiwan academic to win the award.
The other recipient of the prestigious award is a three-member team from National Taiwan University College of Medicine; doctors Wu Ming-shiang, Lee Yi-chia and Liou Jyh-ming were recognized for their development of a molecular testing technology to address drug resistance for Helicobacter pylori, which is a leading cause of gastric cancer.
Not only has the work helped select better medication for patients, the team also developed second- and third-line treatments and implemented enhanced community screening as part of disease eradication projects, all of which are widely hailed as the global standard, the EY said. (SFC-E)
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