In 1993, Thomas Wells Kensler, a professor at School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in America, came to Qidong Liver Cancer Prevention Research Center to contribute to the research of prevention of liver cancer.
During the past years, Thomas has been to Qidong for nearly 70 times. He has worked together with China's cancer research scholars and researchers at Qidong’s rural areas. A strong bond has been formed between Thomas and liver cancer prevention research in Qidong.
Thomas chose high-risk population of liver cancer in Qidong to conduct preventive interventions and provides state of the art theoretical support and practical interventions. Now Professor Thomas is soon to come to Qidong again for a five-year cooperative cancer research.
During the long-term cooperation, Thomas often says that the aim for the research is “for friendship”. He not only introduced the advanced technology to Qidong but also improved the research level of Chinese researchers through exchange visits, conferences, training and other forms. He loves to go to the countryside and visit farmers to experience and communicate.
Thomas was awarded the "Jiangsu Friendship Award" in October 2010 by Jiangsu Provincial government. The State Council awarded him the Chinese "National Friendship Award" in September 2011. Thomas said that he treasured the friendship with China and the "Friendship Award" is the affirmation and highest reward of Sino-US scientific cooperation.
（Editor / Qi Daozheng；Mengxi Li）
