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President set to reward scientists

Two senior fellows of the Academia Sinica, Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) and Lee Lou-chuan (李羅權), have been selected as recipients of this year's Presidential Science Prize, the nation's highest honor for academic research, for their prominent contributions in the fields of public health and space science respectively, the Presidential Office announced yesterday.

The Presidential Science Prize, established by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in 2001, is given biannually to scientists whose achievements directly benefit Taiwanese society.

Chen Chien-jen, 54, receives the award in recognition of his research in epidemiology and public health. For the past two decades, Chen and his teams have carried out studies involving more than 40,000 Taiwanese who suffer from chronic arsenic poisoning.

Ignorance of high levels of arsenic in drinking-water wells in Ilan County means that residents often suffer from the symptoms of chronic arsenic exposure. Thanks to Chen's research, in 1997 Ilan County Government launched a three-year project that set up a network of clean tap-water wells in the affected areas.

"Similar cases involving water contamination have been seen in countries such as Bangladesh and western India. But their governments failed to solve their water problems even after 10 years of work," Chen said.

The results of Chen's research later became a major worldwide reference for the assessment of arsenic levels in drinking water.

"Taiwan's experience can provide help to people here and throughout the rest of the world," Chen said.

While serving as a minister in the Department of Health in 2003, Chen also convened the SARS Contingency Committee, which implemented the quarantine policies and other disease control measures during the crisis, which demonstrated his capability in health management.

Lee, 58, achieved recognition thanks to his prominent achievements in the field of space science research.

Since Lee began leading teams at the National Space Program Office (NSPO) in 1997, Taiwan has successfully launched two satellites. Taiwan's satellite projects have also led to the publication of many research papers in world-class scientific journals.

For example, in 2003, research by scientists at National Cheng Kung University affiliated with the NSPO published a piece in Nature magazine on gigantic jets of lightning linking thunderclouds and the ionosphere.

"Team spirit is vitally important to scientific research. I'm sure that Taiwan's third satellite, FORMOSA 3 [to be launched next March for use in scientific research] will create a global impact and continue to make a name for Taiwan," said Lee, now Director of the National Applied Research Laboratory.

National Science Council Minister Wu Maw-kuen (吳茂昆) said the achievement of the two laureates demonstrates that Taiwan can nurture world-class researchers. On Dec. 16, the two recipients will receive a cash award of NT$2 million (US$65,000) and a plaque from President Chen.
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