image: Alexander N. Zelikin receives the 2016 Lundbeckfonden Research Prize for Young Scientists. view more
Credit: Aarhus University
38-year-old Alexander N. Zelikin is an associate professor at the Department of Chemistry and iNANO at Aarhus University in Denmark. He is at the forefront of the design of medical polymer materials, and his research focuses on developing technologies able to solve highly complex medical issues.
The Zelikin group, based at Aarhus University, designs hydrogel biomaterials and enzyme-prodrug therapies to perform localised synthesis of drugs using therapeutic implants. This group also develops innovative strategies to treat viral diseases, specifically using macromolecular prodrugs with a broad spectrum of antiviral activity - a pioneering strategy in the field. Zelikin has also initiated an international programme aiming to eradicate HIV from the human body using innovative prodrug design strategies.
In order to educate the next generation of medicinal chemistry and polymer researchers in Denmark, Alexander Zelikin has created some very popular courses in medicinal chemistry and drug delivery at Aarhus University. His scientific publications are frequently on the front pages of international journals, and he is often invited to give lectures at scientific conferences around the world. He has attracted significant funding from both private and public foundations, from Denmark and abroad, including the ERC Consolidator grant to carry out his pioneering research.
"Alexander N. Zelikin is a very strong scientist and a true pioneer in the research of modern drug delivery. His research helps strengthen Danish biomedical polymer research internationally. Danish polymer science has gained recognition in the international arena through his hard work.
It gives us great pleasure and pride to see that Lundbeckfonden is awarding the 2016 Research Prize for Young Scientists to one of Aarhus University's young and promising researchers," says Professor Birgit Schiøtt, who is head of the Department of Chemistry and who nominated Zelikin for the prize.
In 2001, Lundbeckfonden established a research prize for young scientists under the age of 40. The prize is awarded in acknowledgement of a particularly promising scientist who has produced outstanding research in the field of biomedical science.
Candidates are nominated for this prize by leading scientists at Danish research institutions. Lundbeckfonden's Research Committee selects the prizewinner in collaboration with external reviewers. In order to be eligible for the prize, which is a personal honorary award of DKK 300,000, the recipient must be conducting research at a Danish research institution at the time of the award.
"I am deeply honoured to receive the 2016 Research Prize for Young Scientists from Lundbeckfonden and I would like to sincerely thank my team and my collaborators, without whom my research would not be possible. I hope that this award serves as an inspiration and a motivation to all young researchers in Denmark," says Alexander N. Zelikin.
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