Introduction

Upon the esteemed passing of Dr. Saeed Kazemi Ashtiani, the founder of Royan Institute, and in recognition of his efforts and to preserve his legacy among national and international scientists, the Supreme Leader proposed the establishment of an award named "Kazemi Prize." This award is to be granted annually to a scientist who has made significant advancements in the field of life sciences.
This award honors the relentless efforts of a scientist who has dedicated their life to bringing about transformative progress in the quality of human life and alleviating suffering. Therefore, the award is conferred upon an individual who has made strides in this direction and has achieved notable successes.
In this regard, a selection committee comprised of distinguished national and international scientists has been formed to determine and evaluate the annual nominees for the award, subsequently presenting their recommendations to the Scientific Council of the Institute. The Scientific Council is responsible for making the final decision on the award recipient.
First of all, it was awarded to Professor Rudolf Jaenisch of the United States, one of the most innovative scientists in the fields of developmental biology, gene regulation, stem cell biology, and stem cell-based therapies in 2010. The second award was given in 2011 to Professor Hans Schöler from Germany, a renowned researcher who has significantly contributed to advancing stem cell biology over many years. In 2015, the award was presented to Professor Robert Langer from the United States, a leading figure in biotechnology and one of the world's top innovators. The fourth award was given in 2016 to Professor Hans Clevers from the Netherlands, a geneticist, physician, researcher, and professor of molecular genetics, who was the first to identify intestinal stem cells and is considered a prominent researcher in the field of natural stem cells and their potential for regenerative therapies. Professor Michael De Luca from Italy received the fifth Kazemi Prize in 2018 for his research in cell therapy and gene therapy for epidermolysis bullosa (butterfly disease). The sixth Kazemi Prize was awarded in 2024 to Professor Thomas Braun, a leading researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, whose current focus is on molecular research in the development of cardiac and skeletal muscles, stem cells, tissue regeneration, and the aging and adaptation of the cardiovascular system.