Prof Salim Abdool Karim (Right) receiving the TWAS award from rof Jacob Palis, President of TWAS

 

Professor Salim Abdool Karim, was recently awarded the prestigious TWAS Prize in Medical Sciences. Formerly known as the Third World Academy of Sciences, TWAS is an autonomous international organization of internationally renowned scientists who are elected by their peers. TWAS Prizes, which include a cheque for US$ 15,000, are awarded to individual scientists in developing countries in recognition of outstanding contributions to knowledge.

Professor Abdool Karim was selected for this award "for his exceptional and distinguished contributions in medicine and public health, specifically for HIV prevention and treatment." He received the prize on October 20, at the opening ceremonies of the TWAS 11th General Conference and 20th General Meeting held at the ICC in Durban. His special lecture at the TWAS conference was entitled, "Prevention of HIV in Young Women in South Africa: The Path to a New Female-Initiated HIV Prevention Technology."

Commenting on the award, Drs Sharon Hillier and Ian McGowan of the Microbicide Trials Network, said there was little question why he was deserving of the award, he's a man we admire for his unwavering determination, compassionate drive, keen intellect, and skillful leadership.” Professor Abdool Karim said: “I am honoured to have been chosen. This award is important recognition for research on HIV prevention especially as we’ve experienced several scientific
setbacks recently.” Professor Abdool Karim is a clinical infectious diseases epidemiologist whose main current research interests are in microbicides and vaccines to prevent HIV infection and implementing antiretroviral therapy in resource-constrained settings. He is also Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University; and Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

- Xoliswa Zulu, Public Affairs, University of KwaZulu-Natal