Eleventh Grand Hamdan International Award for Medical Sciences is Presented to American AI Frontrunner

SHAMS was established with a view to honour researchers from every part of the world who tirelessly pursue distinctive medical research that serves the larger interest of humanity. A total of ten winners across the various categories of the award; international, regional and local, were honoured at the ceremony. The winners were recognised for their extraordinary contributions to medicine and healthcare, worldwide. The Award ceremony concluded with a glittering display of the winners on the façade of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

The official announcement was made at a virtually held event ceremony, in line with the UAE`s commitment to maintain social distancing to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The topic of the Grand Hamdan International Award was Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. American born and educated Professor Bradley Nelson is the latest recipient of the Grand Hamdan International Award for ‘fostering a new generation of miniaturized components integrating polymers and microorganisms, paving the way to soft nanorobots capable of interacting with human tissues.’

Prof. Nelson received his Ph.D. in Robotics (Robotics Institute, School of Computer Science), from Carnegie Mellon University in 1995. He is the Head of the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH, the public research university in the city of Zürich, Switzerland, where he has been Professor of Robotics and Intelligent Systems since 2002. His research focuses on micro robotics and nanorobotics, highlighting its applications in biology and medicine. Prof. Nelson’s selection for the award acknowledges his remarkable contribution to intelligent systems for medical nanorobotics, specifically his leading role in the transition from rigid nanostructures to soft, flexible architectures, inspired by the dynamics of biological microorganisms.

Congratulating the winners, Mr. Abdulla Bin Souqat, Executive Director at SHAMS said: “Professor Nelson follows in the tradition of previous distinguished winners of the Grand Hamdan Award. Two of our previous winners, Professors Harvey J. Alter and Robert G. Edwards went on to receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine.”

About Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences

Notes to editor: About Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences
On the 10th of April 1999, the late Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, issued the Supreme Decree No. (5) to establish the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, with the objective of honouring scientists from every part of the world who tirelessly pursue distinctive medical research that serves the larger interests of humanity. The Board of Trustees and the General Secretariat of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences was formed on the 1st of May 1999, under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
The Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences is one of the most outstanding awards from the GCC countries, and has consistently acted as a motivating force towards promoting the medical services by honouring the scientists and the distinct working parties in academic and therapeutic scopes alongside medical and humanitarian services all over the world.
The Award clearly recognizes the importance of scientific research in boosting the progress of UAE, and plays a proactive role in funding domestic health researches through a pioneering program. The Award has proved to be widely successful, as it has been recognized by international observers and was testified by leading researchers vying for the award. This success reflects on the foundation’s international reputation and its high scientific credibility and level of performance.