Paul Brindley, PhD, professor of microbiology, immunology, and tropical medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Science in Parisitology from Khon Kaen University in Thailand. The degree was awarded by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Princess Debaratanarajasuda, at a ceremony held on December 4.
“I am honored, greatly appreciative, and flattered to receive the degree,” said Brindley. “I am deeply grateful and humbled to have received the diploma directly from Her Royal Highness. I am also highly appreciative of the effort my Thai colleagues at the Khon Kaen University and GW took to nominate me for this honor.”
Brindley has collaborated with faculty from the Kohn Kaen University for two decades on his research, which is focused on helminthic diseases and infection-related cancers. Brindley's joint studies with colleagues at Kohn Kaen University have been sponsored continuously since 2007 from the National Institutes of Health. Together, they have co-authored more than 60 peer reviewed papers and hosted numerous PhD and MD/PhD biomedical sciences students in labs for in vitro-based investigations.
Current research being done with Kohn Kaen University is on the pathogenesis of liver fluke infection-associated cholangiocarcinoma. This neglected tropical disease associated malignancy is an aggressive cancer with high mortality rates. It represents a major health burden where liver fluke infection is prevalent.
Khon Kaen University also has a partnership with the Office of International Medicine Programs at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where medical students can apply to an exchange program. In addition, researchers from Kohn Kaen University and GW have held research meetings and summits to foster collaboration between the two institutions.
