LSTM malaria researcher Professor Feiko ter Kuile wins George Macdonald Medal

LSTM malaria researcher Professor Feiko ter Kuile wins George Macdonald Medal

LSTM’s Professor Feiko ter Kuile has been named as a joint recipient for the prestigious George MacDonald Medal. Awarded every three years jointly between the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) and the London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (LSHTM), it recognises outstanding individuals who have conducted research leasing to significant improvements of health in the tropics.

Professor ter Kuile was presented with the award at the RSTMH’s Annual General Meeting held in London alongside his co-recipient Professor Anthony Costello

He said: “I am truly delighted and deeply honoured to receive the George Macdonald Medal, and, I admit, a little surprised. I have spent most of my working life in Africa, so it is really nice to know our work in Kenya and the region is appreciated.

“For 30 years I have been lucky to work with wonderful colleagues at the KEMRI Centre for Global Health Research in Kisumu and at CDC and LSTM. Seeing a generation of Kenyan scientists trained with us go on to lead their own studies and grants has been a real joy.

“Looking back, some of our studies changed WHO policy, but you never know in advance which will. For every study that moves the needle, several do not. For malaria chemoprevention in pregnancy, we still rely on drugs recommended over 25 years ago. Nevertheless, these are exciting times for malaria control research, with new approaches and new tools. The team in East Africa and the next generation of scientists are well placed to make a real difference in reducing the burden of malaria.”

Feiko is Professor of Tropical Epidemiology at LSTM, and his research focuses on the epidemiology of malaria and the evaluation of new interventions for the for the control of malaria in children and pregnant women.