MRC scientist awarded first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize
11 April 2008
Professor Brian Greenwood, who directed the MRC Laboratories in The Gambia for 15 years, has been awarded the prestigious Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize by the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize aims to encourage the fight against diseases in Africa by rewarding individuals with outstanding achievements in the field of medical research and medical services.
Professor Greenwood has been recognised for his research into the prevention of malaria, pneumonia and meningitis in African children. At an award ceremony next month, he will receive a citation, a medal and an honorarium of 100 million yen (approximately half a million pounds). This is the first award since the prize was conceived in 2006.
Professor Greenwood said: “I am very proud to have been awarded this prestigious prize which honours the inspirational life of Dr. Noguchi and which recognises my contribution to medical research in Africa. This could not have been achieved without the support of many colleagues in Africa whose work is also honoured by this award.”
Professor Greenwood spent more than 30 years in Africa and carried out landmark research. He has contributed to the understanding of the effects of malaria on the immune system, the disease process and how the parasite spreads through populations. He also studied other deadly infectious diseases, such as meningitis and pneumonia, all major killers of children in Africa. His clinical studies, involving simple but high-quality methods, as well as his field trials of drugs and vaccines, have underpinned many influential national and international public health policies.
Professor Greenwood was praised for his contribution to training and supporting young African scientists, students and clinicians.
His important contributions include:
• Demonstrating the effectiveness of insecticide-treated nets for control of malaria, which is now the cornerstone of malaria interventions throughout Africa.
• Primary studies on artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), now widely adapted as first-line treatment for malaria.
• Substantial contributions to trials of malaria vaccines.
• Demonstration of how Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib) infection can be eliminated by vaccination.
• Large-scale clinical trials showing the potential for reducing child morbidity and mortality through use of vaccines against pneumococcus – a common cause of pneumonia and meningitis.
• Substantial contributions to the development of meningococcal vaccines.
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