In 2008, the Simmet Prize for Assisted Reproduction was awarded for the very first time at the International Congress on Animal Reproduction (ICAR).
The highlight of the 2008 ICAR was the first time bestowal of the Simmet Prize for Assisted Reproduction to Italian scientist, Dr. Cesare Galli. The 50,000 EUR prize was awarded to Dr. Galli amidst more than 1,100 peers, who had participated and registered for the congress.The Simmet Prize is a memorial honoring the lifetime and legacy of Dr. Ludwig Simmet, a straightforward man, who demonstrated that an industry can be formed and influenced through integrity and perseverance. Dr. Simmet’s exemplary career was launched following the presentation of his first invention at the ICAR in Munich, 34 years ago and so it was at the 2008 ICAR, one year following the passing of Dr. Simmet, that Prof. Dr. Karl Fritz Weitze, a close friend of Dr. Simmet and his family, commemorated the life of his long time friend in his introductory speech. Following the award ceremony, Ludwig O. Simmet, thanked the members of the ICAR committee on behalf of the Simmet Family for the inspiration to honor Dr. Ludwig Simmet’s lifework in such a way.
Dr. Cesare Galli was chosen by the ICAR committee from a group of highly skilled candidates, who each excel in innovative research and have made significant contributions in their fields in addition to acting as leaders within and outside their scientific area of concentration. Dr. Galli has published many important papers including a fundamental work establishing a standard protocol for the in vitro produciton of bovine embryos and he is also the first person credited for successfully cloning of a horse. In 1992, Dr. Galli made an outstanding contribuition for research and the application of assisted reproduction with the foundation of LTR (Laboratorio di Tecnologie della Riproduzione). Dr. Galli is known for his efforts in the transfer of knowledge from research to practice. He is a member of the AETE (European Association of Embryo Transfer), and served as its president for four years.The Simmet Prize will be awarded every four years on the occasion of future ICAR meetings. The trust, founded by Dr. Ludwig Simmet’s 4 sons shall enable the ICAR to recognize an active research scientist for outstanding basic and applied research in the field of Assisted Reproduction of Animals, published during the previous five years.
The Simmet Prize will continue to be awarded every four years at future ICAR meetings. A trust established by the four sons of Dr. Ludwig Simmet will enable the ICAR to recognize the outstanding achievements of a diligent scientist in basic and applied research in the field of Assisted Animal Reproduction, published during the previous five years.