TEHRAN – Professor Thomas Braun of Germany, who was awarded the Kazemi Prize over his studies in stem cells, has hailed Iran’s progress in science, saying that the country is really far ahead in Wes Asia. 
Professor Braun is a principal investigator at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research. He graduated in medicine in 1987 and then received a specialized doctorate in cell biochemistry from the University of Hamburg in 1993.
“If I compare it to other countries in the Middle East, you are really far ahead,” Braun said in an interview with IRNA on the sidelines of Kazemi Prize ceremony here in Tehran.
”If you see PhD students from Iran, they are really well-trained and their outstanding researches indicate successful education system in Iran,” he added.
“It is an indication that you value knowledge, science and research and that you can sustain research and development to win the world of tomorrow you have to stay ahead.” 
Braun said communication is crucial in a situation when it is not easy to ship material to Iran. “If the situation is improved a little bit, it will be possible in the future to facilitate interaction.”
Kazemi Prize is an international Prize which was established in 2010 to respect the efforts and revive the memories of Dr. Saeid Kazemi Ashtiani, the late founder of Royan Institute.