Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn, President of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, visited the Federal Republic of Germany from 9 to 24 April 2010.
During the visit to Germany, Her Royal Highness went to the German Cancer Centre, a National Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg, to seek cooperation and to observe various research activities on cancer treatments which are in line with the Chulabhorn Research Institute and Chulabhorn Hospital activities. She was welcomed by the Centre Director, who had invited her, and Professor Dr. Herald zur Hausen, the former Scientific Director.
The National Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg is a research centre that has achieved major advances both in basic research and in the development of novel methods of chemical application. It is the largest biomedical research institute in the country, with more than 850 scientists investigating the mechanisms of cancer and working to identify cancer risk factors. They provide the foundations for developing novel approaches in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. The centre, in addition, offers information about the widespread disease of cancer for patients, and the general public, which benefits the health of people all over the world.
In 2005, Professor Dr. Herald zur Hausen was the recipient of the Prince Mahidol Award in Public Health. In 2008, he was awarded the Noble Prize in Medicine for his outstanding scientific contribution to the study of human papillomaviruses (HPV). The Noble Prize was in recognition for the finding that cervical cancer is caused by viral infections. His research made it possible to develop a vaccine against one of the most frequent cancer in women.
After Heidelberg, Her Royal Highness went to Berlin to observe academic and chemistry activities at Free University of Berlin. After Berlin, she paid a visit to Munich.
Free University of Berlin is a leading research institution and an international network university successful in the Excellence Initiative. The university has various offices abroad, e.g. in New York, Beijing, and Moscow. Its future development strategy is focused on cluster development, international cooperation, and graduate studies. Research projects are within 3 major focus areas of area studies, humanities, and life science.
Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn departed from Suvarnnabhumi Airport aboard the Lufthansa LH773 flight on Friday, 9 April 2010, at 23.55 hours, and returned on the LH782 flight on Saturday, 24 April 2010, at 14.05 hours.
Announced on 9 April 2010.