Remembering Professor Kenrad E. Nelson

Remembering

Professor Kenrad E. Nelson

2022

Chiang Mai University
Research Institute for Health Sciences

“ Those we love can

never be more than

a thought away, for

as long as there’s a memory
they live

in our hearts to stay”

Prof. Kenrad E. Nelson
received an Honorary Doctorate of Public Health

from Chiang Mai University

Condolence Message
from

President of Chiang Mai University

In Remembrance of Professor Kenrad E. Nelson

It is with our deepest regret that we have learned about the passing away of Professor
Kenrad E. Nelson who has been our greatest source of inspiration, motivation and devotion
to Chiang Mai University especially the Research Institute for Health Sciences (RIHES)
and the Faculty of Medicine.

On behalf of Chiang Mai University and all of our staff at Research Institute for Health Sciences
and the Faculty of Medicine, I would like to express our most sincerest and heartfelt
condolences for the loss of such an enthusiastic person and a great keyman which it has come
to us as a great shock. Professor Nelson will always be remembered no matter what.
His presence, love and kindness will forever be with us.

Under this circumstances, we wish to express our profound condolences and share the
grievous loss to Dr. Karen and the Nelson’s family for their bereavement, and hope that this
message can convey our deepest sympathy during this difficult time of mourning. Words are
inadequate at a time like this, however, please know that Professor Kenrad E. Nelson will
live on in our memories forever.
With our sincerest condolences,

Clinical Professor Niwes Natachit, M.D.
President

Condolence Message
from

Director

Dear Karen,

We have just learned from Professor David Celentano today that Dr. Nelson passed
away last Thursday. I am writing on behalf of Research Institute for Health Sciences to
express our deep condolences.

Officially, Ken had helped our institute and our faculties to start and successfully
conduct HIV research in Chiang Mai for more than 30 years. Personally, Ken was
extremely important to my own scientific career, bringing me to the research in HIV
and penicilliosis marneffei. This led to my whole life studies and publications
including that groundbreaking clinical trial published in New England Journal of
Medicine in 1998 and more. I could not be in debt to anyone more than Ken for my
career success. By his untimely passing, our institute has lost one of its best initiators,
teachers, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and had
dealings with him.

Please count us among those who share your sorrow at this sad time.

Yours sincerely,
Khuanchai Supparatpinyo
Director, Research Institute for Health Sciences
Chiang Mai University

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej presented an
Honorary Doctorate of Public Health from Chiang Mai University to

Prof. Kenrad E. Nelson
at 28th commencement ceremonies,

January 24, 1994



H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited
the Bloomberg School of Public Health of Johns Hopkins University, USA.

(Prof. David E. Celentano, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn,
Prof. Christopher C. Beyrer, and Prof. Kenrad E. Nelson)



Dr Chirasak Khamboonruang’s Home
Chiang Mai,Thailand
29 April 2022

To: Dr Karen and the family,

No words can describe how I am deeply saddened to hear the loss of Professor Kenrad E. Nelson.

My wife and myself want to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.

“I was fortunate to have known him since he came to Chiang Mai, Thailand around 1969, as a
member of the “Illinois Team” serving as a visiting professor in the Department of Preventive
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University. About 20 years later, during 1988 - 1996,
while I was serving as the Director of the Research Institute for Health Sciences (RIHES), Chiang
Mai University. It was such an honour and privilege to accept an invitation from Professor Kenrad E.
Nelson the great Epidemiologist from the Johns Hopkins, School of Medicine. We conducted
collaborative research mainly in the epidemiology of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in
northern Thailand. The collaboration was not only to strengthening infrastructures of the institute
but also massively helped levelling up research capacities to meet an international standard. This
collaboration has brought RIHES up as a globally well-recognized institute until now”.

My dear, Professor Nelson, I respected your dignity, your endeavour and your advice giving to me
during I served as the director of RIHES. But now, Rest in Peace (RIP) and May God bless you
eternally.

We are wishing you and your family courage and peace during this time of mourning
With deepest sympathy.

Chirasak and Suvipar Khamboonruang
Former Director of the Research Institute for Health Sciences(1988 – 1996)

Chiang Mai University, Thailand

To Dr.Karen and family

I am saddened it to hear that Professor Kenrad E. Nelson has passed away. Professor
Nelson was a well known and great epidemiologist. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to
work with him. I first met him when he came to Chiang Mai, as a member of Illinois team,
serving as a visiting professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
Chiang Mai University in 1969. Professor Nelson and I later have conducted collaborative
research works in leprosy and HIV/AIDS. He was my best teacher and friend.

I would like to express my deepest condolence to Dr.Karen and the Nelson family.

VINAI SURSYANON
Former Director of the Research Institute for Health Sciences (1997 – 2001)

May 2, 2022
Chiang Mai, Thailand



Remembering Professor Kenrad E. Nelson

Ken started working in collaboration with Chiang Mai University doing rabies
research in the late 1960’s. Virat and Thira met Ken in the mid 1970’s when we
trained at the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago. After we moved to
Chiang Mai, Thira worked with Ken on anthrax and leprosy in the early 1980’s. From
the late 1990’s until recently we had worked with Ken on HIV/AIDS and penicilliosis.
That was a long friendship. It enables us to be able to say something about Ken’s
contribution to Thailand’s Infectious Diseases discipline over the period of more than
50 years.

Ken had saved millions of Thais from HIV/AIDS deaths. He had provided
mentorship and scholarship to countless Thais from Chiang Mai University,
universities in Bangkok and the Thai Ministry of Public Health. Ken together with
David Celentano and Chris Beyrer were instrumental in the development of the
Research Institute for Health Sciences (RIHES), Chiang Mai University. RIHES would
not be able to apply and become a direct grantee of the US NIH without their help.

Thais believe in karma. Good karma will bring good things in life and beyond.
We have no doubt that Ken had accumulated lot of good karma throughout his life.

Virat & Thira Sirisanthana

1st May 2022
Suwat Chariyalertsak, MD., Dr.PH (Infectious Epidemiology, SPJHU)
Dean, Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Former Director, Research Institute for Health Sciences, CMU (2009 – 2017)

Dear Karen,

I got this very sad news through e-mail from Prof. David Celentano last week (26th Apr 2022)
informed me that Prof. Kenrad Nelson had died peacefully in his old age. Please allow me to
write a short letter to you saying about how great for Prof. Nelson is as a very important part
of my whole life. I was so proud to be one of his Thai students to doing the Doctor of Public
Health degree in Infectious Epidemiology at SPHJHU between 1992-1996. He was such an
incredible great Professor and my great academic advisor that I ever have in my whole life, I
could said that. He was so very kind to all of his students what I observed and I myself
learned so many great things from him either while I was his student at JHU and also when I
got back and worked in Research Institute for Health Sciences, CMU that he had connected us
with JHU people and also brought a lot of research grants from US NIH to support our CMU
team. He was really a very active professor that I ever worked with and always taught me a lot
of new things when we had some researches working together with his team in JHU in the
past 25 years.

Please let you know how deeply saddened we all are for the loss of your husband, my
greatest Prof. Nelson. I would love to say that he was a critical part of my success in my
life that I really followed his footsteps as a Professor in CMU and has been selected to be
the foundation Dean of Faculty of Public Health, CMU that just started in 2017 till now.
Without many great things that I learned from him as one of my great mentor,
I may not be able to come to this step in my life. Please taking care yourself.

With my sincerest condolences,
Suwat and family.

Dear Dr. Karen

I have just learned today that Dr. Nelson has passed away, and I am writing at
once to express my deep sympathy.

I had the privilege of knowing Dr. Nelson for many years and considered him a
personal friend. By this untimely passing, I have lost one of my best friends. He will
be greatly missed by all who knew him and worked with him.

Please count me among those who share your sorrow at this sad time.

Yours sincerely,

Vicharn Vithayasai.
April 28, 2022
Chiangmai, Thailand

Dear Dr.Karen Nelson

I'm Dr.Somboon Suprasert, currently 90 years old same as you, very sorry to hear
about your husband's passing.

On my mind, it's still a clear picture and highly respected valuable memory that for
over 45 years, Dr. Kenrad has continuously been a major part of Thai's medicine
development by supporting and funding several medical projects as well as giving
us a door to experience US medicine. Personally, I have been collaborating with him
on Aids and Leprosy treatment research projects for over 20 years. Once in 1976, I
was invited to be a visiting professor at Illinois university with your warm welcoming
and endless projects we have been doing together in the northern part of Thailand.
3 Words coming from the bottom of my heart, when I'm thinking of him, are "kind",
"give" and "help". He was always a 'kind' person to us, patients and all surrounding
people. He is a real 'giver' giving us consistently an opportunity to initiate and run
social projects which could 'help' tremendous people to have a better life. We are
all, Thai medical personnel, especially the community medicine department and
CMU health science research center truly appreciated.

My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May God give you the
comfort and peace, and may the soul of your loved one rest in peace.

He will always remain in our hearts.

Sincerely,

Somboon Suprasert

29 April 2022



My deepest condolences to you, Dr. Karen Nelson, and your family during this difficult time for
the loss of Dr. Kenrad E. Nelson. I had been conducted several research projects in
collaboration with Dr. Nelson in Chiang Mai, Thailand since 1976 on Evaluation of the Efficacy
of Rabies vaccines project and 1980-1985 on the Immunobiology and Epidemiology of
Leprosy project. The last project was the Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus in Thailand from
2000-2004. It was really a great time to work with him and I had learnt a lot from him. As far
as I know, Dr. Nelson was a person who was always smile and only gave to others. He was my
source of inspiration and motivation, and will always stay alive in my memory. May his soul
rest in peace.

Niwat Maneekarn, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Microbiology,
Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai, University
Chiang Mai, THAILAND

To Professor Kenrad E. Nelson,

I had a chance to meet him in 1984 as a young family physician assisting his leprosy
research program in Chiang Mai. It was then an important turning point of my
academic career towards epidemiology and control of leprosy, malaria, drug use
and HIV. His kind encouragement and supports were warm and influential. I would
like to present my sincere condolence to his family and associates.

Apinun Aramrattana, MD, PhD
27 April 2022

Dear Mrs. Nelson,

Professor Kenrad Nelson will always be within your heart and the many others from
Chiang Mai that loved him. I am personally grateful for his kind support on working
as the RIHES co-ordinator of Preparation for AIDS Vaccine Evaluation (PAVE)
research project funded by NIAID, NIH.

On behalf of our research team, please accept our deepest sympathies.

Tippawan Prapamontol
Environmental Health Research team, RIHES, CMU.
28th April 2022.

What A Wonderful Life

Prof. Dr. Lakkana Thaikruea

Among Thai students, we call Dr. Nelson as “Lu-
ang”, which means “Uncle” since we feel like he is
not only teacher but also our beloved uncle. I
think… Lu-ang had a peaceful healthy life before
he became my adviser. Lu-ang decided to have
elective operation with laparoscope. I concerned
about this and he told me that everything would
be fine and nothing need to be worried about.
Unfortunately, Lu-ang had complication. I rushed
to visit him at the hospital and told him that his
health was my great concern more than Ph.D. I
could explain to the government to extend my
studying period.

Lu-ang reclined on the bed with a drainage attached to his abdomen. Although he seemed
tried, he replied with shallow breathing.

"No, you can continue."

"Are you sure?" I quite stunned.

Lu-ang nodded slowly.

I visited him again with the thesis gift not flower.

Lu-ang shown up at my dorm with the edited thesis
on the day when a blizzard hit Baltimore. I looked at
Lu-ang turned his back and walked away in the
middle of drifting snow until he disappeared in the
white space.

JHU was closed due to heavy snow storm. I had to
postpone the thesis defense, which disturbed
Lu-ang’s peaceful life again.

The date that I took the thesis
defense, I bowled out his mind by
arguing with the committees.
Furthermore, I dared standing up and
wrote on the white board to affirm my
point of view against the god of
epidemiology. I did not know that only
haft of Ph.D. candidate could survive
from this slaughter room.

Lu-ang and secretary were so glad
that I graduated and would return to
Thailand in a few days. Still… I
brought trouble to them. A thief broke
into my friend's car while we having
lunch.
Everything in the car that belonged to my friend was not stolen. A thief even left a doll in the car.
The only stolen thing was my Ph.D. diploma. I rushed back to ask for help from Lu-ang and
unaware that my shirt was spilled with carrot-herb drink. He was startled when he saw my bloody
color shirt and laughed like crazy when he knew the story.

The last drawing card that my friend kindly delivered to
him when he was ill reminds me what we can do for the
beloved one. There are too many good memories in
the past decade to fill in a limited space. I believe that
all good deed that Lu-ang had been done throughout
his valuable life will bring him to heaven.

Miss Lu-ang so much KA.

R.I.P
Dr. Kenrad E. Nelson

I have heard his name before I knew him personally. Dr. Khuanchai Supparatpinyo (one of my
mentors) always mentioned his name when referring to this article. “A Controlled Trial of
Itraconazole to Prevent Relapse of Penicillium marneffei Infection in Patients Infected with the
Human Immunodeficiency Virus” published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1998. I learnt
from Dr. khuanchai telling the story how Dr. Ken coached him until it got published. I first met Dr.
Nelson when he visited Chiang Mai and Drs. Thira Sirisanthana and Khuanchai kindly invited me to
join the dinner.

I perceived that he was a kindness man and had a research mind, which opened my world in this
area. I learnt from him the process of thinking, and the ways to become successful. Not until
2002 and again from 2006 to 2008 at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
(JHSPH), Baltimore, when I had chances to meet him. Although he was not my primary adviser, he
taught me on the education and other aspects of life. I, along with my friends, were invited to join
the party at his house. It was amazing that there were photos of him travelling and working in many
countries. I could not imagine how impact of his research on educational and clinical practice around
the world.

After I completed the Graduate Training Programs in Clinical Investigation (GTPCI) at the JHSPH in
2007 and post-doctoral fellow at the Department of Epidemiology, JHSPH. It was his kindness to
introduce and recommend me to Dr. Trish M. Perl, who was the director of the Department of
Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control (HEIC) at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. The experience
at the HEIC was very fantastic. Without his help, I might not get such that great experience.
After I returned home, I had a chance to meet him only when he visited Chiang Mai, which was less
often than before.

Last visit Thailand in 2018 (?), I did not meet
him, but had a chance to talk with him by a
phone call, before he left Bangkok to Baltimore.
Unfortunately, that was his last journey to
Thailand.

This photo was taken in 2019 when I (in a white
shirt) and Dr. Sasisopin Kiertiburanakul
(in a light green blouse, she was Dr. Nelson’s
advisee when she studied in the Infectious
Diseases Epidemiology program at the JHSPH)
attended the conference in Washington DC, and
visited him at his house in Baltimore. It was a
great time to meet him and Dr. Karen at home.

I’m so sorry to hear the news of Dr. Nelson passing. He will always be remembered no matter
what. His presence, love and kindness will forever be with us.

In this tough time, may our friendship, sympathy, and heartfelt condolence bring Dr. Karen and
Dr. Nelson’s family comfort. Dr. Sasisopin also passed her deepest sympathy on your loss.
Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Romanee Chaiwarith, MD, MHS.
Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine,
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,

Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

May 2002
March 2019

" Prof.Kenrad Nelson is our great, kind teacher and mentor. He not only teaches but
inspires us to do our best to our nation Thailand and also for global community.
Without him I would not be able to become a Professor today. You will be in our
heart and memory forever."

Dr Thanyawee Puthanakit
Professor in Pediatrics Chulalongkorn University
Fogarty AITRP fellow 2000-2



In the memorial of Dr. Kenrad E. Nelson – One of my best teachers ever…

It was sad news to find out that Dr. Kenrad E. Nelson (always called Teacher Ken or Uncle Ken)
passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022.

I was a student in his class of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (Epi ID) when I was studying
at Johns Hopkins University in 2011. In my memory, Dr. Nelson was a very kind and passionate
teacher who loved teaching his students. He always arrived at the classroom (Becton-Dickinson
Auditorium, W1020) with his small trolley bag, and sat in the front row seat every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, even though it was not his lecture day, throughout the course during the
second term. I also invited him to be one of my Thesis Committees in both the Proposal
Examination as well as the Final Thesis Defense. He always accepted by invitation without any
conditions or conflicts, and was always available at the date and time which were set, despite of
his busy schedules and travel conflicts, which was really impressed me.

In 2018, we learned that Dr. Nelson suddenly developed a stroke during his trip back from
Thailand. So, in March 2019, I and Dr. Thanyawee had an opportunity to visit Baltimore after the
CROI conference, we then made an appointment to visit Dr. Nelson and his family at his home.
It was very nice to meet him in-person and realized that he had a very well recovery, and looked
very happy and healthy, although that was a last time that we have met each other.

…He will always be my teacher, my role model, and my inspiration…

…Rest in Peace…

With deepest sympathy

-- Tavitiya Sudjaritruk (a Hopkins Alumna, Class of 2016) --

January 15, 2020

Dear Dr. Nelson,

I am so glad to learn that you are safe and recovering from the incident. I would like
to take this opportunity to let you know that you are one of the most important
persons in my whole life. I am so proud that I had been involved with your HIV
studies in our army recruits since 1991 and had a chance to meet you in person for
the first time in 1995 during your visit to Thailand MoPH in Nonthaburi.

Being one of your advisees at Hopkins for almost five years has changed my
perspective on life. You always demonstrate in practice that good science can save
lives, millions of lives. You are so kind to people around the world and offer your
help to them regardless of their background.

I wish you get well soon. Hope to see you again. Thank you so very much for
everything you have done especially for me and for Thai people.

Sincerely yours,

Ram

April 27, 2022

Dear Dr. Karen Nelson,

My name is Ram Rangsin, Professor of Epidemiology at Pramongkutklao College
of Medicine in Bangkok, Thailand. I am a former advisee of Dr. Kenrad Nelson.
I was saddened to hear of Dr. Ken Nelson’s passing, and my thoughts are with you
and your family.

I would like to let you and your family know that Dr. Ken Nelson is an important
person of my life. Two years ago, I had an opportunity to write a letter to him but
for some reasons that letter could not reach him. That letter tells a lot about my
thought after learning that he got an incident in 2018. Please give me this
opportunity to send the messages in that letter to you.
Sincerely yours,

Ram Rangsin, MD MH DrPH
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Professor of Epidemiology
Pramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.

I am deeply grieved to learn of the death of Dr.Kenrad Nelson.
Dr. Nelson was a very good instructor, researcher in my memory.
I had worked with him since CONRAD study as the project secretary under
Dr. Sodsai Tovanabutre when the newly exposure of HIV infection occurred in
Thailand. He was a very good and smart researcher. He worked with our team
and instructed us on how to conduct good research. He supported many Thai
research studies, sites and researchers. Undoubtedly it is a very dreadful tragedy
for our Thai researchers who have worked and loved him so much. He will forever
remain alive in my heart and memory.

I send Dr. Nelson's family all my love and sympathy.

Very sincerely yours,
Mrs. Chatsuda Auchieng