People in the news

Malpass selected as new World Bank president

David Malpass is the new president of the World Bank Group, a global partnership to reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries. Malpass, an international economist, most recently was the Treasury Department’s Under Secretary for International Affairs. His 5-year term at the World Bank started in April.

Fogarty grantees named Royal Society Fellows

Two scientists with ties to Fogarty have been elected Fellows of the Royal Society, the world's oldest independent scientific academy, dedicated to promoting excellence in science. Dr. Gagandeep Kang, a grantee and Executive Director of the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute in India, is known for her studies of enteric infections and their impact on children.

Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, who held a longtime AIDS research training grant, is internationally recognized for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis research, including studies showing antiretrovirals prevent sexually transmitted HIV infection and genital herpes in women. He directs the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA).

Genome organization recognizes Happi

The Human Genome Organization conferred its 2019 HUGO African Prize to Dr. Christian Happi for contributions to genomics and infectious diseases. A professor of molecular biology at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria, Happi is a member of the NIH-funded Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) consortium.

Former IOM President Hamburg has died

Dr. David Hamburg, who from 1975-1980 was president of the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine), died in April. A psychiatrist dedicated to global health, human rights and prevention of violence, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. Hamburg’s daughter, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, is the National Academy of Medicine Foreign Secretary.

Baker honored as immunization champion

The Sabin Vaccine Institute presented its 2019 Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal to Dr. Carol Baker for her contributions to immunizations, most notably Group B Streptococcus research. Baker, an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center, has received NIH funding for her research.

Photo by Leah Beilhart for the Sabin Vaccine Institute

Leading geneticist freed from prison

Dr. Muntaser Ibrahim, who was arrested at a political rally in Sudan in February, was released in April along with other academics following a transition of power. A geneticist at the University of Khartoum, Ibrahim is part of the NIH-supported Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) consortium. He is working on a book about the genetics of African populations with NIH scientist Charles Rotimi.