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Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck Germany, celebrated the winners of the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2023. The awards, announced in partnership with the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), Manipal University, and the African Union Scientific Technical Research Commission, aim to recognize African researchers for their valuable contributions to empowering women and youth in STEM fields in Africa.
The winners were honored in two categories: the Best African Women Researchers Awards and the Best African Young Researcher Awards. The recipients will have the opportunity to undergo research training at a premier institute in India. The awards ceremony was attended by prominent figures in the field, including Professor Oladapo Ashiru, President of ARCS and Secretary General of IFFS, and Professor Dr. Satish Kumar Adiga, Head of the Department of Reproductive Science at Manipal University.
Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of MARS, expressed her pride and excitement for this year’s winners. She emphasized the importance of recognizing African female researchers and empowering them to contribute to STEM fields. Dr. Kelej also highlighted the achievements of Merck Foundation in transforming the healthcare landscape by providing scholarships for doctors from 50 countries in critical and underserved medical specialties.
The award ceremony was attended by several African ministers, including Hon. Dr. BARADAHANA Lydwine, Minister of Public Health and Fighting Against AIDS from the Republic of Burundi, and Hon. Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health from The Gambia, among others.
The winners of the Best African Women Researchers Awards 2023 are:
1. Stella Irungu from Kenya – Topic: Identifying Biomarkers for the Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Endometriosis.
2. Motshedisi Sebitloane from South Africa – Topic: Women Living with HIV Treatment are at Increased Risk of Premature Menopause.
3. Oyeyemi Ifeoluwa from Nigeria – Topic: Anticancer Effect of a Copper(Ii) Complex with Vanillin 3-Ethyl-Thiosemicarbazone Ligand in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
The winners of the Best African Young Researchers Awards 2023 are:
1. Afework Tadele Mekonnen from Ethiopia – Topic: Social Determinants of Maternal Health in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
2. Stephene Shadrack Meena from Tanzania – Topic: Targeting Tumor-Promoting Inflammation to Control the Growth and Metastasis of Breast Cancer.
3. Theogene UWIZEYIMANA from Rwanda – Topic: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Maternal Near-Miss at Kirehe District Hospital in Rwanda: Implications for Improving Women’s Health in Africa.
Dr. Kelej also announced the call for applications for the prestigious Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2024. The focus for this year’s awards will be The Role of Scientific Research in Women Health, Infertility, and Reproductive Care. The application process is open to final-year Ph.D. students, young investigators, and medical doctors in postgraduate medical fellowship programs. The winners will receive a three-month research training scholarship in India.
By recognizing and empowering women researchers and young African researchers, Merck Foundation aims to strengthen the role of research in public health, particularly in women’s health, infertility, and reproductive health in Africa.
For more information and to apply for the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2024, visit the Merck Foundation website.
