Dr. Enrique A. Mesri Receives Prestigious Award in Argentina

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher Enrique A. Mesri, Ph.D., has received the Taeda 2018 Award “Contributions to Science and Technology” in the category “Scientific Cooperation” for his discoveries and his support for the development of investigators in Argentina. Winners included scientists, researchers and students working on projects to improve the quality of life in Argentina and the world. The ceremony took place in Buenos Aires at the National Polo Field on April 25.

From left, Mario Montoto, president of the Taeda Foundation, Enrique A. Mesri, Ph.D., and Lino Baranao, minister of science, technology and productive innovation.

“This prize from this influential editorial group and the fact that it was presented by the Ministry of Science in an event that brought together leading figures from Argentina’s scientific, political and social fields is truly very important,” Mesri said upon his return from Argentina.

“I want to share this important recognition with all the current and past members of my laboratory, with all the people that throughout the years worked with me in scientific collaborations with Argentina, and, very specially, with the phenomenal team of U.S. and Argentinian colleagues of our NCI-funded consortium in AIDS malignancies.”

Mesri, a native of Argentina, has a long career in international collaboration with Argentina. In 2009 he was appointed as a U.S. member of the Committee of Advisors in International Scientific Collaboration of the Argentina Ministry of Science. Mesri, who is a member of the Sylvester Tumor Biology Program and the Miami Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), and a leader in research on HIV-related cancers, is also a professor and director of the graduate program in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Recently the National Cancer Institute awarded a U54 grant to a consortium made up of Sylvester, the Miami CFAR and top scientific research centers in Argentina to study AIDS-related malignancies.  Mesri is the U.S. principal investigator of this consortium, which plays a major role in the development and mentoring of Argentine researchers in AIDS malignancies.

“The Taeda award recognizes the importance of our international collaboration efforts for Argentine society and its government,” Mesri said. “It clearly exemplifies the impact and transcendence of UM hemispheric efforts supported by our centers of research excellence such as Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Miami CFAR.”

Taeda is an Argentine multimedia company that produces audiovisual content, books, marketing TV programs, and the magazine DEF. Its first awards in 2016 were for contributions to peace, and winners included Pope Francis, Nelson Mandela and Shimon Peres.

Tags: Enrique A. Mesri, Miami Center for AIDS Research, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Taeda award