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The President of the Republic presented the Young Scientist Prize

05.12.2006

In Kadriorg today, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves presented the Cultural Fund’s Young Scientist Prize for 2006 to Alar Aints. The main objective of the research work of the hematologist-oncologist Alar Aints’s from the University of Tartu is to ascertain the types of tumors and clinical conditions suitable for NK (Natural Killers) immunotherapy.

The Head of State recognized Alar Aints for his excellent work and for the fact that, although he has studied in Sweden, he has returned to Estonia. “You set a good example for other young scientists, because the future of our research depends on those who come back to Estonia with the knowledge they have acquired,” said the President of the Republic.

President Ilves thanked Toomas Luman for financing the scientist award and expressed his satisfaction that there are businesspeople who are concerned with the future of Estonia.

Doctor Aints thanked President Ilves and the Cultural Fund for the recognition granted to him and thanked his parents, who have always emphasised the importance of knowledge and studies.

Alar Aints received his Doctor’s degree from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute in 2002. Simultaneously with his doctoral studies in 1998-2002, he worked as a guest at the Institute’s Medical School from 1996, right after his graduation from the University of Tartu. Under the guidance of Alar Aints, many doctoral theses have been defended and his publications number almost twenty. He is also among the authors of two patents. In the long-term, Alar Aints plans to study the possibility of using NK cells for improving organ transplants and for treating autoimmune diseases.

This year, the Young Scientist Prize of the President of the Republic’s Cultural Fund totals 75,000 kroons and its founder and financer is entrepreneur Toomas Luman. This year, nine young scientists applied for the prize.

Public Relations Department of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, 5 December 2006