Kenyan Professor receives award for development of Biomedical HIV intervention in Africa

Prof Bukusi[/caption] A Kenyan Professor, Elizabeth Bukusi has  received the 2015 Biomedical HIV Prevention Forum Distinguished Scholar Award for making significant contributions to the science and the development of Biomedical HIV intervention in Africa through active involvement in the initiation, design and implementation of biomedical HIV prevention research in Africa. The award was presented at the 2015 Biomedical HIV prevention forum programme, held in Harare, Zimbabwe  on 29 November to 4 December 2015, as a run up to the 18^th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA).  Recognition According to Morenike Folayan, member of the organising committee of  the New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society in Nigeria, Professor Bukusi is being recognised through the award because of taking significant steps to adapt research to address the health needs of Africa through prioritization of the engagement of African communities in the design and implementation of the researches.The World AIDS campaign also participated in hosting the forum. ‘More importantly, for this forum, she is recognized for being actively engaged and contributing to the development of biomedical HIV research and promoting advocacy for Africa, by Africans. It is my pleasure to invite Prof Elizabeth Anne Bukusi to please give the Biomedical HIV Prevention Forum Distinguished Scholar Award Lecture for the year 2015,’ said  Folayan presenting the award to Professor Bukusi in absentia. Advocacy for Africa’s HIV research efforts According to  Folayan, the award also honours the Professor for  active involvement in the initiation, design and implementation of biomedical HIV prevention research in Africa, taking significant steps to adapt such research to address the needs of African, prioritization of the engagement of African communities in the design and implementation of biomedical HIV prevention research and  active engagement  and contribution to the development of biomedical HIV research and development advocacy for Africa, by Africans. Female-initiated methods of HIV prevention Folayan also said that the Professor was nominated as the recipient of the 2015 Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions in the development of female-initiated methods of HIV prevention such as PrEP,  microbicides and Multiple Prevention Technologies. “Elizabeth’s exceptional leadership skills include the conduct of leading land breaking biomedical HIV prevention research. She has been Co-Investigator, Site Investigator and Principal Investigator of innovative behavioral research that includes structural The society added that Professor Bukusi embodies the African virtues that represent the ideal of an African scientist committed to finding a sustainable and ethical scientific solution to the HIV epidemic in Africa for Africa and with African communities of all races, gender and social classes. Leadership role and achievements Professor Elizabeth Anne Bukusi graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Nairobi with a Degree in Medicine in 1987. She then went on to obtain a Masters of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Master of Public Health, Masters in Bioethics, PhD in Epidemiology and Certificate in International Health from the University of Nairobi, University of Washington, Seattle, Sind Institute of Urology and Transplantation and University of Washington respectively. She holds honorary faculty appointments in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Nairobi and the Aga Khan University in Nairobi, holds a Research Associate professorship at both the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Global Health at the University of Washington and has an administrative research position at the University of California San Francisco. She currently serves as the Deputy Director of Research and Training at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). She has served in various roles such as Consultant, Regional Coordinator African Forum of Religions Health Organizations in reproductive Health in Africa, Member of the International Board University of Washington International AIDS Research & training Program, Program Director Hospitality Industry Support program, Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute,Panel member International Medical Advisory Panel of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Co-Chair, HPTN Women at Risk Committee, Member of advisory task force Global Forum on Bioethics in Research,  and very recently as Co-Chair of the WHO Department of Reproductive Health. She is also a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, and a member of the WHO Guidelines Development team for the revision of the Health, Board of Trustees, HIV Research Trust, SECURE Project Steering Committee and UNAIDS Scientific expert panel and Multipurpose Prevention Technologies steering Committee. She plays multiple national leadership roles such as the African Institute for Development of Policy (AFIDEP) Champion; first elected Chairperson, the Bioethics Society of Kenya; member of the National HIV Prevention Committee. She has successfully trained and mentored over 55 young African researchers as postgraduate students, lead and engaged in over 30 funded research, over 95 publications, and serves as a mentor for countless African HIV advocates. Prior to the award, she had received other awards namely runner up in the inaugural Christian Medical and Dental Association HIV Initiative annual "Dignity and Right to Health Award" given to the most outstanding role models and champions acting to stop this global epidemic. She also was the runner up for the Upjohn Young female scientist’s award of the FIGO Fellowship infectious disease category as a young career medical doctor.    ]]>