Nobel Laureate encourages Latvia’s young doctors to apply for exclusive grants

“IMM-Riga 2012 is indeed an important event for Latvia and will contribute significantly to educating Latvia’s young doctors and improving practitioners’ professional skills. This is the first time Harald zur Hausen is in Latvia, but his parents used to live in Riga and particularly in honour of his parents the Nobel Laureate has established a fund granting the possibility for young doctors to participate in scientific research in Germany and other European countries,” said Prof. Andris Rubins.   Prof. H. zur Hausen, in his turn, said: “I am excited to be here because at least 50 per cent of my genes are Latvian. My mother used to tell me much about Riga as well. I established the fund in memory of my parents, and it is available to researchers from all Eastern European countries; however, Latvian researchers conducting cancer research are particularly welcome to apply.” UL Rector Prof. Marcis Auzins: “This conference is an important event not only for Latvian doctors, but also for the academic community and the society in general because the latest developments in medicine and health care improvement are significant and topical issues for each of us. We are particularly proud for being able to welcome Nobel Laureate Prof. Harald zur Hausen at the University of Latvia, as his visit was planned for two years”. Prof. Ingrida Rumba-Rozenfelde: “Nowadays the study of medicine cannot be imagined without involvement in science and such international conferences constitute an essential and integral component of doctors’ education and training. Therefore, we are particularly proud that UL students have this unique opportunity to participate in such conference and meet in person the world’s most prominent medical scientists.” Harald zur Hausen, scientist and professor at Heidelberg University, received a Nobel Prize in Medicine for proving that human papillomavirus causes cervical cancer. The Prize money was invested in a grant fund, currently amounting to one million dollars. It opens up possibilities for young doctors, including those from Latvia, to participate in scientific research in Germany and other European countries. The goal of the conference is to discuss and analyse the latest developments in medicine, educate doctors and residents, as well as to offer everyone an opportunity to meet prominent scientists from around the world, including Latvia. More information on the conference, as well as its programme is available at www.imm-riga2012.com. Photographs from the press conference are available at: foto.lu.lv/arhiivs/2012/i_sep/05/index.html Video from the press conference is available at: www.lu.lv/par/mediji/video/konferences/2012/medicina/prese/ Complete video recording available at UL video archive. Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.