TEHRAN — Hossein Baharvand, an eminent Iranian scientist, won The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) 2019 prize in biology, ISNA news agency reported.

Baharvand is a professor at Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology. In 2004, he received a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Khwarizmi University. 

For the first time, he generated the mouse and human embryonic stem cells (2003) and induced pluripotent stem cells (2008) in Iran. 

According to TWAS website, Baharvand received the prize for his fundamental contribution to the understanding of how pluripotency and differentiation establish and maintain in stem cells.

TWAS for the advancement of science in developing countries – works to support sustainable prosperity through research, education, policy and diplomacy. TWAS is a global science academy based in Trieste, Italy.

TWAS was founded in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the developing world, under the leadership of Abdus Salam, the Pakistani physicist and Nobel laureate. 

TWAS Prizes are awarded in nine fields including Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Earth, Astronomy and Space Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Mathematics, Medical Sciences, Physics, and Social Sciences. 

Each TWAS Prize carries a cash award of $15,000. The winners will lecture about their research at TWAS's 29th General Meeting, when they will also receive a plaque and the prize money.

MQ/MG