From left to right: Marc Flammang (CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management Luxembourg), Dr. Gérard Hoffmann (Chairman of Les Amis), Dr. Mina Tsenkova (awardee), Prof. Dr. Rolf Tarrach (Rector emeritus), Alexandra Da Silva (Vice-President of Luis y Antonio Portabella Foundation) © Les Amis de l’Université du Luxembourg

On 10 July 2024, Dr. Mina Tsenkova was honored with the Rolf Tarrach Award for her exceptional doctoral thesis, “Understanding the Role of Diet and Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer.” The award ceremony, held at the Chambre de Commerce in Kirchberg and moderated by Anne Christophe, was a significant event attended by an enthusiastic audience.

Dr. Gérard Hoffmann, the new chairman of Les Amis, welcomed the guests and extended his gratitude to the long-standing sponsors: the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Research and Higher Education, and the University of Luxembourg. Dr. Tsenkova, a postdoctoral researcher at Amgen in California, expressed gratitude for the comprehensive training and skills she developed at the University of Luxembourg. Her supervisor, Prof. Elisabeth Letellier, praised her dedication and the quality of her research.

The Rolf Tarrach Prize, organized by Les Amis de l’Université du Luxembourg and supported by the Luis y Antonio Portabella Foundation and Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management Luxembourg, has been recognizing the best doctoral thesis at the University since 2012.

The event also featured a thought-provoking lecture by Jean-Jacques Rommes, titled “Growing the Dwarf – Luxembourg’s Path from Poverty to Congestion”, offering insights into Luxembourg’s economic development. The evening concluded with remarks by Prof. Marie-Hélène Jobin, Vice-Rector for Partnerships and International Relations at the University of Luxembourg, followed by a cocktail reception.

Please see below for more images from the ceremony.