Professor Petr Cejka honoured with the San Salvatore Prize 2024

Professor Petr Cejka (USI, IRB) and Professor Laurence Zitvogel (University of Paris-Saclay, Gustave-Roussy Institute) are the two distinguished academics awarded the 2024 Prize of the San Salvatore Foundation of Lugano, founded in 1979 by Carlo Pernsch. This prize is awarded to outstanding figures engaged in scientific research against cancer. Each prizewinner received 50,000 francs to testify to the value and impact of their work in the field of biomedicine.

Petr Cejka, Full Professor at USI Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Laboratory Director at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) in Bellinzona, has focused his scientific work on the analysis of the molecular mechanisms involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. This process is vital for preserving genomic integrity, the understanding of which is crucial for preventing and treating cancer pathologies.

The award ceremony was held on Saturday, 24 May at the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola in Lugano, attended by many prominent figures from the scientific and institutional sectors.