20 September 2024
PROFESSORS SALIM AND QUARRAISHA ABDOOL KARIM AWARDED LASKER-BLOOMBERG PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
Professors Salim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim Awarded Prestigious Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award for HIV Research and Advocacy
The SDCfA initiative proudly congratulates Professors Salim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim, two of Africa’s foremost scientists, for receiving the esteemed 2024 Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award. This prestigious recognition honours their transformative contributions to the prevention, treatment, and advocacy surrounding HIV/AIDS, which have reshaped global health efforts and saved millions of lives worldwide.
As highly respected researchers, the Abdool Karims have made groundbreaking advances in HIV research, including critical insights into HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment strategies, particularly among women in Africa. Their work has led to landmark innovations, such as the use of tenofovir gel for HIV prevention and the development of microbicides. Their efforts have significantly influenced global health policies and have been widely recognised for addressing one of the most critical public health challenges of our time.
Both Professors Salim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim have been closely associated with the SDCfA initiative, where their leadership and expertise have furthered the initiative’s mission to position Africa as a key player in global science diplomacy. Their involvement in SDCfA initiatives has contributed to strengthening our platform’s goal of building scientific partnerships that promote diplomacy, innovation, and development across Africa and beyond.
Upon receiving the award, Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim emphasised the importance of community involvement in scientific research, stating, “Science is not just about the discovery, but about how we can use knowledge to empower people, especially in vulnerable communities.” This sentiment aligns with the SDCfA’s core mission of using science as a tool for diplomacy and positive societal change.
Their achievements inspire not only the global scientific community but also underscore the vital role that African scientists continue to play on the world stage. As their work continues to push the boundaries of HIV research and public health advocacy, the SDCfA remains proud to recognise and support their journey toward a healthier and more equitable world.
For more information on the Abdool Karims’ work and the impact of the Lasker Award, visit Lasker Foundation.