Today, Helge Sander, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, presented scholarships totalling 2.5 million Danish kroner to 38 of the country's most talented young students in biomedical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological sciences on behalf of two of Denmark's leading research companies, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes, which together invested 8.8 billion kroner in research and development in 2008. The scholarships are part of the Novo Scholarship Programme, operated jointly by the two companies.
One of the students to have received a scholarship is Rasmus Lykke Marvig, who is currently writing his MSc thesis at the Department of Systems Biology at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU):
"I'm proud to win a scholarship from two companies whose business strategies are rooted in research. At the same time, the scholarship brings an obligation to prove myself capable of using this support as best I can."
Rasmus' project concerns how pathogenic bacteria adapt to their host. Using advanced software to compare huge numbers of DNA sequences, the project will explore how specific bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and the immune system. The aim is for the research to contribute to the development of improved antibiotics.
The students will receive up to 75,000 kroner to supplement their standard grant while writing their MSc theses, so that they do not need to work during the final phase of their studies. To be eligible for the scholarships, students are expected to dedicate themselves wholly to their thesis and not to work alongside their studies. The idea is to give these young talents scope to develop on an equal footing with the international elite.
When awarding the scholarships, therefore, priority has been given to students who have spent time studying abroad. Both Novo Nordisk and Novozymes currently have research units in different parts of the world and have a need for young researchers who can cope as easily in China and India as in Denmark. During the course of his studies, Rasmus Madvig has spent time at both Stanford in the US and Lausanne in Switzerland, and before long he will be kick-starting his project with a placement at sequencing company AGOWA in Germany.
Since the scholarship programme was first set up, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes have supported the development of 450 talented young natural scientists. There was considerable interest again this year, with the 38 successful scholars being chosen from a total of 107 applicants. The winners will be submitting and defending their theses primarily in the biomedical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological sciences.
The scholarships were presented today by Helge Sander, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation at a symposium at Novo Nordisk. _____________________________________________________
For further information, please contact:
Mette Kruse Danielsen, Media Relations Officer at Novo Nordisk, mkd@novonordisk.com, tel. +45 3079 3883
Morten Østervang, Media Relations Officer at Novozymes, moqs@novozymes.com, tel. +45 3077 1610
Photos from the ceremony are available for download from novonordisk.com under Media – Photos – R&D or on request (after 3 pm CET).
Read more about the Novo Scholarship Programme at novonordisk.com:
http://www.novonordisk.com/science/fellowships/scholarships.asp