The highest accolades from the RSTMH awarded to two NTD experts

The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene's two highest accolades awarded to NTD experts Prof David Molyneux and Prof Joanne Webster

The Annual Meeting of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene was preceded by the ceremony to award its two highest Medals, the Manson Medal, awarded triennially, and the Chalmers Medal, awarded annually.  For the first time in the history of the RSTMH both Medals were awarded to experts working in the field of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Professor David Molyneux (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), a close colleague of Professor Fenwick (SCI’s Director) was honoured with the Society’s highest mark of distinction to a living person, the Manson Medal.   In his recommendation, Professor Jeremy Farrar, who nominated Professor Molyneux said “Professor Molyneux is a remarkable individual, a national and international treasure who has combined world leading intellectual rigour with clarity of vision, blunt integrity and a willingness to challenge dogma………. In addition to his tough, straight talking honesty he is also an outstanding mentor and generous supervisor of young scientists from across the globe….. Everyone living in endemic countries and those of us working in Tropical Medicine owe David a great debt….. I can think of no other individual who has made a greater contribution or who would be more deserving of this highly prestigious award.”

Professor Molyneux in his acceptance speech thanked a number of organisations – DFID, WHO, Wellcome Trust, MRC and many more - who have supported him and his students over the five decades of his career.  He highlighted his involvement in the development of what are now known as NTDs and colleagues Alan Fenwick (SCI), Peter Hotez (GNNTDC) and Lorenzo Savioli (WHO) who have been critical colleagues in securing support for the treatment of the poorest, which hitherto had been ignored. 

SCI’s Principal Investigator Professor Joanne Webster was honoured with the Chalmers Medal. The medal recognises the outstanding contribution to Tropical Medicine by an individual under 46 years of age. Professor Webster is the third female to ever receive this medal since it was first awarded in 1923. Dr Peter Billingsley in his speech outlined the contributions that led to Professor Webster being awarded the Chalmers Medal.  He said, “Joanne is an outstanding ecological and evolutionary parasitologist, demonstrating an exceptional capacity to combine cutting-edge, diverse, interdisciplinary, fundamental research with applied studies and implementation, both of which impact hugely upon the management and control of neglected tropical diseases.  Her determined efforts in research and project management have been critical to the stunning success of the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, this success recognized in 2008 with the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education”.  He also talked extensively about Professor Websters impressive research track record as well as her incredible capacity to take complicated research into the public domain, appearing on television, radio and newspapers with work that has captured the public’s imaginations.

Professor Webster said upon receiving the Chalmers Medal “I’m hugely surprised and honoured.   And for both medals, the Chalmers and the Manson medal, to be awarded this year to people working on NTDs, well that is just marvellous.”

If you wish to read the speeches in full please click the following links:

Professor Jeremy Farrar’s speech

Professor Molyneux’s acceptance speech

Dr Peter Billingsley’s speech