Accordia 2011 Health Leadership Award to Dr Christian Happi (Nigeria)
On 25 April 2011, World Malaria Day, Accordia Global Health Foundation announced that Dr Christian Happi from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria has won the 2011 Merle A. Sande Leadership Award. Dr Happi, who is also an EDCTP Senior Fellow, is recognised for his extensive work in malaria research and capacity building and is specifically honoured for his outstanding work on the molecular basis for Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs.
Dr Happi received a Senior EDCTP Fellowship to conduct a study to validate new biomarkers for monitoring reduced susceptibility/tolerance or resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to Artemisinin derivatives and partner drugs in Nigeria. In an innovative approach the study combines clinical studies with molecular parasitology and epidemiology and cutting edge genomics analysis of fresh Plasmodium falciparum samples directly from patients. The project also increases research capacity and capability at the Malaria Research Laboratories, College of Medicine University of Ibadan in Nigeria. Charles Mgone, Executive Director of EDCTP: “I extend my warmest congratulations to Dr Christian Happi for this recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of malaria research.”
According to the Accordia press release, the Merle A. Sande Health Leadership Award is given annually to an emerging African leader who has contributed to the field of infectious disease in Africa, and embodies the passion, intellectual drive, and sprit of Dr Merle Sande, founder of Accordia Global Health Foundation. Accordia is an American not-for-profit corporation that aims to develop and sustain the continent’s ability to impede the spread of infectious diseases.
Press release by Accordia:
http://www.accordiafoundation.org/news/world-malaria-day-alert-accordia-names-2011-sande-awardee/index.html
About EDCTP
The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) was created in 2003 as a European response to the global health crisis caused by the three main poverty-related diseases (PRDs) of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Currently EDCTP is a partnership between 14 European Union member states plus Norway and Switzerland with 47 sub-Saharan African countries. The aim of the programme is to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines and microbicides against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis through promoting the integration of national programmes of EDCTP European Member States and development of a genuine partnership with African counterparts.
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