EDCTP recognises African scientists in the fight against disease
For the first time, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) has granted awards for Senior and Junior Outstanding African Scientists. The award for senior scientist was given to Dr Alexis Nzila from Kenya and the junior award to Dr Dominique Pepper from South Africa. The EDCTP programme was set up in 2003 under the EU's Fifth Framework Programme (FP5). Currently, it is funded under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) to the tune of EUR 40 million, to carry out research into finding new treatments for AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, the three main killer diseases in sub-Saharan Africa that are responsible for more than 6 million deaths every year. The EDCTP consists of 14 European Member States plus Norway, Switzerland and sub-Saharan African countries. As well as developing drug and vaccine treatments, it is also focused on supporting health capacity building in sub-Saharan Africa by setting up health centres and training health care workers, for instance. The awards focused on a number of criteria including innovation, intellectual property, the impact of the research, publications, and advocacy for health. The EDCTP's executive director, Professor Charles Mgone, said of the awards, 'This is a momentous occasion for the Partnership since by offering these awards not only do we recognise excellence, we also intend to inspire it throughout Africa.' Dr Alexis Nzila is head of the molecular parasitology group at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya. His research has focused on the mechanisms of resistance to malaria drugs and on ways of tracking parasite resistance. As Outstanding Senior African Scientist, he was awarded a certificate of recognition and a cash prize of EUR 20,000. Dr Nzila said, 'My first thoughts go to the Kenyan young scientists and students who have been working with me. This award is the result of their hard work and contributions. I want to express my gratitude and admiration to all of them. As Africans, our contribution to research is hardly acknowledged outside Africa, thus this EDCTP initiative contributes to improving our visibility, and it should be encouraged.' Dr Dominique Pepper works at the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine in Cape Town, South Africa. He received the Outstanding Junior African Scientist award: a certificate of recognition and a cash prize of EUR 10,000. Dr Pepper said of his achievement, 'I wish to express my sincere gratitude to those who have already contributed to this work. This award would not be possible without the invaluable training and insight provided by my mentors, as well as the dedication and perseverance of those working with me in the field. 'My heartfelt appreciation is expressed to EDCTP for recognising the efforts of my mentors and co-investigators. I am certain that this award will inspire many other African scientists to address issues which challenge our health care services.'
Countries
Kenya, South Africa