Slovak scientist Jan Vilcek, who has been working in New York for many years, is set to receive a National Medal of Technology and Innovation from American President Barack Obama on Friday. The medal is the highest American award in the sphere of technological advances. Its laureates include prominent scientists, engineers and inventors. For example, in 1985 it was granted to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák has sent a congratulatory letter to Professor Vilcek that will be handed to him by Slovak Ambassador to the U.S.A. Peter Kmec.
Lajčák in 2010 granted Vilcek the Goodwill Envoy award, which is given to Slovaks who represent Slovakia abroad in an outstanding manner. Vilcek (born in Bratislava in 1933) is among the world's top experts in immunology and micro-biological research. As an expert in medical sciences he emigrated to the US from Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia in 1964 and was hired by New York University's School of Medicine. His research has contributed significantly to the treatment of arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Vilcek captured the attention of the world media by donating $105 million to New York University in 2005. The money came from rights related to medicines that were developed based on his research.
Christopher George
